Jimi Hendrix’s 1970s Fender Stratocaster (black, left-handed)

In late 1969 or early 1970, Jimi Hendrix ordered two left-handed Stratocasters from Manny’s Music in New York. Unfortunately, after his untimely death, the guitars remained at the store and were never picked up. One Strat was black, and the other was white; both featured rosewood fretboards.

In early 1970, the guitars were purchased by Steve Miller, a close friend of Manny’s owner, Henry Goldrich. Tragically, the black Strat was later stolen from Steve and never recovered.

I’ve known Henry since I was 20 years old and bought lots of guitars from Manny’s. He had two guitars that Hendrix ordered but never picked up. He said, “You can have them.” One was black, one was white.

So I took them, had them set up with the strings flipped, and recorded a lot with the white one, which I still have. It’s an amazing guitar, with a rosewood fretboard. I may have recorded “Fly Like An Eagle” with that guitar.

Steve Miller – Some People Call Him Rock Icon