Jimi Hendrix’s 1960s Fender Stratocaster (black, Darlington)

Stories of stolen guitars belonging to Jimi Hendrix are a common theme, and unfortunately, it’s not always easy to determine whether they are true or not. According to some sources, Hendrix played a black Fender Stratocaster on February 2, 1967, at the Imperial Hotel in Darlington, County Durham, which was reportedly stolen right after the gig.

An article in The Northern Echo claimed the guitar was later sold to a musician named Tony Carrington for £20. Carrington, finding the guitar unplayable, eventually sold it to someone else [‘I Bought Missing Jimi Hendrix Guitar for £20’ – The Northern Echo].

Although there are mentions of several guitars being stolen that night, someone quoted in the article stated that only a black Stratocaster went missing. Interestingly, it was also noted that Jimi didn’t seem particularly concerned about the black Strat, as he was more worried about a white one.

The white guitar Jimi cared about was most likely his 1964 Fender Stratocaster, the one he brought from the U.S. and which had been gifted to him by Linda Keith.

This story of the black and white Strats is supported by photos taken just a few days before the theft, on January 29, 1967, at the Seville Theater. In those photos, Hendrix is seen using both a black and a white Stratocaster.

It’s interesting to point out that by that time, the guitar appeared quite beat-up—the edges of the body were heavily scratched, and large areas of paint were missing. This suggests that Hendrix had used the guitar extensively before January 1967, even though there’s little photographic evidence to document its early use.

True Story or just a Myth?

The story of the Darlington Stratocaster seems plausible, especially given that a black guitar was indeed seen in Hendrix’s hands before this date. However, over time, the tale of the stolen guitar has grown into a local legend in Darlington.

Some locals even believe the guitar is still out there and have actively called for the current owner to return it [Return Jimi Hendrix’s guitar and we’ll set up a music foundation’ – tribute band’s amnesty offer].

Authenticating the guitar today would be nearly impossible, but the idea of its reappearance remains an intriguing thought. While the chances of this happening are slim, we’ll be sure to update this page with any new information that comes to light.