David Gilmour’s 1983 Fender Stratocaster 62V (Fiesta Red)

Brand: Fender

Model: Stratocaster

Serial Number: V007911

This is one of the guitars that David picked while visiting Fender’s UK warehouse in Enfield, Middlesex. Among those which he picked were also two 57V Strats in vintage white/cream and red, which he used as his main guitars on the About Face tour. This 62V was used less sparingly, but it could be seen on occasion in 1984.

David Gilmour playing his 62V Stratocaster in Hammersmith Odeon in 1984. — David Gilmour playing his 62V Stratocaster on “All Lovers Are Deranged” in Hammersmith Odeon in 1984.

By November 1984, David modified the guitar extensively in order to use it with a 1984 Roland GR-700 guitar synthesizer, adding a MIDI pickup, and a whole set of controls for it. This was all done quite professionally, with the body routed out in order to fit the new controls, and a brand-new pickguard to cover it all up.

David's 62V with a MIDI pickup and a new pickguard, November 1984. — David’s 62V with a MIDI pickup and a new pickguard, November 1984.

From that point on it’s unclear what exactly happened to the guitar – David could’ve continued using it in the studio, or he could’ve given it to someone. One thing is for sure though, this guitar was not among the guitars that David sold through auction in 2019.

If you happen to come across any interviews where David talks about this guitar, or you happen to know what happened to it, be sure to leave a comment below.