This was the guitar Bob played prior to purchasing his brown Les Paul, and it was seen on Bob Marley and the Wailer’s performance of “Stir It Up” live at The Old Grey Whistle on May 1, 1973.
Based on the “Bullet” truss rod, this Stratocaster was likely brand new at that point. Fender changed the truss rod design on Stratocasters in late 1971, and on the guitars made from the point on, the truss rod nut can be sticking out, sort of resembling a bullet (therefore the name). This type of truss rod is obviously present on Marley’s guitar.
The Disappearance
This guitar basically disappeared after the 1973 performance and was nowhere to be seen. Marley was seen performing with a white Stratocaster just a couple of months after this, which could mean this sunburst Strat got stolen.
However, there don’t appear to be any stories in the media regarding this, so if you happen to know what happened to this guitar, please be sure to leave a comment below.
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No, it’s not correct that after the performance at The Old Grey Whistle in ’73, the guitar was no longer visible. Despite having purchased a Gibson Les Paul in ’73, Bob recorded the album Natty Dread with it in 1974. The guitar is visible in the album photos, and in a video of the song “Lively Up Yourself” from 1974, he can be seen playing the sunburst Strat.Attached is the photo of the Natty Dread album inside