Rory Gallagher #1 stratocaster

[NXC1978]

Found these pics on the net of his actual guitar (not the custom shop replica) and thought I would post. Awe inspiring to say the least...

[StrangerNY]

I played that guitar one time.

- D

[NXC1978]

So, tell the story... where were you, when was it, and how was it?!!

[Toften]

Rory did really get out some nice tones from that one. That's sure. I actually like how his sweat stripped of the finish on the guitar, it look's really cool.

YouTube - Rory Gallagher Cradle Rock

YouTube - Rory Gallagher Cradle Rock

[StrangerNY]

Originally Posted by NXC1978

So, tell the story... where were you, when was it, and how was it?!!

I grew up in Philadelphia, and in the years before moving to NYC I was a staff writer for a music magazine called Happy Times. It was a great gig - in the time I was there I interviewed a lot of my idols like Todd Rundgren, Tom Scholtz, Dave Hope from Kansas, and of course Mr. Gallagher.

It was in 1975, and Rory was touring behind Against The Grain. Usually, I'd meet up with the artists in the hotel coffee shop or at the venue, but Rory's management said that Rory wanted to do the interview in his hotel room. I got to the room and he was sitting on the bed playing the Strat.

Rory and I got a cup of tea, I turned on the tape machine and we did the interview, talking about everything from his days in Taste and his current record to 'the problems' in Ireland at the time. He was an intelligent, gracious and open interview. I got plenty of material for the article.

When we finished up, I asked Rory if I could ask a favor, and he said 'Sure, what do you need?' I asked him if I could try the Strat, and he laughed and said I was the first interviewer he'd ever had that asked to play the guitar. Then he said 'Of course, go ahead' and handed it to me.

I was strictly a Strat guy at the time, and that guitar was the best Strat I'd ever played in my life. Perfectly worn in, really well set up and very easy to play. Needless to say, I was thrilled.

A funny side note - I work for Twisted Sister now doing their web site, and from time to time I talk to Eddie Ojeda. Eddie's a gearhead just like me, and we usually spend two minutes talking business and then an hour gabbing about gear.

One day we were talking about Eddie's Strats (he has about a dozen of them), and Rory's name came up. I told Eddie that I played Rory's guitar and he freaked out. Turns out Eddie bought a Rory Strat, and he insisted that I check his out and tell him how close it is to the original.

It hasn't happened yet, but I figure somtine this summer I'll get the chance to play another Rory Strat. I'm kind of interested in seeing how close Fender got with the repro myself.

- D

[snaredrum]

i'll tell you one thing - the boy must've STUNK after a gig...

[NXC1978]

Originally Posted by StrangerNY

I grew up in Philadelphia, and in the years before moving to NYC I was a staff writer for a music magazine called Happy Times. It was a great gig - in the time I was there I interviewed a lot of my idols like Todd Rundgren, Tom Scholtz, Dave Hope from Kansas, and of course Mr. Gallagher.

It was in 1975, and Rory was touring behind Against The Grain. Usually, I'd meet up with the artists in the hotel coffee shop or at the venue, but Rory's management said that Rory wanted to do the interview in his hotel room. I got to the room and he was sitting on the bed playing the Strat.

Rory and I got a cup of tea, I turned on the tape machine and we did the interview, talking about everything from his days in Taste and his current record to 'the problems' in Ireland at the time. He was an intelligent, gracious and open interview. I got plenty of material for the article.

When we finished up, I asked Rory if I could ask a favor, and he said 'Sure, what do you need?' I asked him if I could try the Strat, and he laughed and said I was the first interviewer he'd ever had that asked to play the guitar. Then he said 'Of course, go ahead' and handed it to me.

I was strictly a Strat guy at the time, and that guitar was the best Strat I'd ever played in my life. Perfectly worn in, really well set up and very easy to play. Needless to say, I was thrilled.

A funny side note - I work for Twisted Sister now doing their web site, and from time to time I talk to Eddie Ojeda. Eddie's a gearhead just like me, and we usually spend two minutes talking business and then an hour gabbing about gear.

One day we were talking about Eddie's Strats (he has about a dozen of them), and Rory's name came up. I told Eddie that I played Rory's guitar and he freaked out. Turns out Eddie bought a Rory Strat, and he insisted that I check his out and tell him how close it is to the original.

It hasn't happened yet, but I figure somtine this summer I'll get the chance to play another Rory Strat. I'm kind of interested in seeing how close Fender got with the repro myself.

- D

thanks for posting!!!

I would be real interested to know whether the Masterbuilt Rory feels any where close to the real thing too. I believe they had the real guitar to go by when they made the replicas. Interesting stuff!!!

[heavy blueser]

please be sure to get us informed man when you have got your hands on eddies strat - great story

[StrangerNY]

Originally Posted by heavy blueser

please be sure to get us informed man when you have got your hands on eddies strat - great story

Will do. I'm seeing the band at an in-store on Tuesday. The subject will probably come up then.

- D

[NXC1978]

Originally Posted by StrangerNY

Will do. I'm seeing the band at an in-store on Tuesday. The subject will probably come up then.

- D

LOL, I bet it will!!!

[Tuned2G]

When i think of hot licks on a Fender , Rory comes to mind. From Whats Going On to the later version of Bad Penny and everything in between, he's always been up there with my favorite guitarists .

I wish i had a penny for every minute spent plugged into an amp or mile this guitar traveled .

[NXC1978]

Originally Posted by Tuned2G

When i think of hot licks on a Fender , Rory comes to mind. From Whats Going On to the later version of Bad Penny and everything in between, he's always been up there with my favorite guitarists .

I wish i had a penny for every minute spent plugged into an amp or mile this guitar traveled .

Excellent photo!

[River]

Originally Posted by StrangerNY

Will do. I'm seeing the band at an in-store on Tuesday. The subject will probably come up then.

- D

That's a great story. Not only am I a bit envious (see my sig), but I had to chuckle because my social group in my youth used "What's the story, Rory?" as one of our standard greetings. You sat down and asked the man himself, and at the same time.

[monroe]

Originally Posted by Toften

I actually like how his sweat stripped of the finish on the guitar, it look's really cool.

It was stolen and left in a ditch once... that's when the finish lifted off.

[Cookie-boy]

Originally Posted by monroe

It was stolen and left in a ditch once... that's when the finish lifted off.

Was just going to mention that!

Plus he ripped the shit out of it! Great axe and great man!

[bobby mckenna]

I played the custom shop version a few months ago when i was bein filmedfor this tv guitar competition in ireland, it shows in september and the winner gets the strat.