George Fullerton back at Fender,
Commemorating Fullerton
Marking the 50th anniversary of the 57 Strat, Fender has unveiled a limited edition of 150 George Fullerton 50th Anniversary Stratocaster guitar and amp sets. A close friend of Leo Fender, Fullerton began working for him in 1948 and was an integral part of the design team for the 1957 Stratocaster. When Fender sold out to CBS and then started working for Musicman, Fullerton went with him. After Musicman, they continued working together, the initials of their forenames forming the company name for G&L guitars – for whom Fullerton still acts as consultant.
Words: Gez Kahan 31/01/2008
Fender Custom Shop persuaded him back to the fold to help design the anniversary package which pairs a ‘Master Built’ reproduction of a 1957 Stratocaster with a 15W, 1x 10” Relic Tweed Pro Junior amp. The guitar, finished in two-colour sunburst lacquer, comprises a three-piece blade cut alder body with maple neck and fingerboard, with vintage hardware, commemorative neck plate and a certificate of authenticity personally signed by George Fullerton. The 50s-style pickups are hand wound by Abigail Ybarra, whom Fullerton hired in 1956 and who continues to work at the Fender Custom Shop today.
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