Skip to content

Stratocaster, originally problematic during a performance by Rory Gallagher, goes under the hammer for more than $50,000 after being given to a different owner by U2.

Instrument underwent pickup experiments; substituted as secondary choice while primary Strat underwent repairs.

Guitar served as experimental platform for pickup tinkering; functioned as secondary instrument...
Guitar served as experimental platform for pickup tinkering; functioned as secondary instrument during primary Strat's reset period.

Stratocaster, originally problematic during a performance by Rory Gallagher, goes under the hammer for more than $50,000 after being given to a different owner by U2.

Reverb-ing Through the Decades: The Saga of Rory Gallagher'sstrap

The name "Frankenstein" has a unique resonance in the realm of guitar aficionados, and it's none other than legend Rory Gallagher who stands out from the crowd. Recently, a custom-made Strat belonging to him, aka his personal "Frankenstein," sold for a whopping $50K at an auction.

Born from the mind of Dave Edwards, this beast was Gallagher's go-to guitar during the late '70s and early '80s when his cherished 1961 Strat started acting up or needed a breather. The guitar was given the nickname "Frankie" due to its role as a testbed for new pickups and wiring configurations, saving his primary Strat from invasive modifications until absolutely necessary [1].

When Gallagher's main Strat was misbehaving on stage, he'd often favor this Dave Edwards Strat or his Fender Musicmaster [1]. It features a natural finish double-cut ash body, sleek maple neck, and Indian rosewood fingerboard, as well as sporting serial number 015 on its neck plate and loaded with two DiMarzio pickups and Kluson Deluxe tuners [1].

This iconic guitar temporarily left Gallagher's possession before making its way to some noteworthy hands – U2. In 2019, it was later gifted to long-time crew member Sam O'Sullivan for his 60th birthday, given in appreciation of his relentless work on the road [1].

Its rich history likely had a significant impact on its $50,000 auction price, which far surpassed the typical price of a high-end Strat. Auctioneers Bonhams revealed that the guitar exhibits visible signs of heavy usage, with the back of the body and the frets showing the most wear [1].

The guitar was sold as it was received by Sullivan from U2 and comes with a letter from Rory's nephew, Daniel Gallagher, detailing the circumstances under which Rory used the guitar on stage [1].

Sam O'Sullivan: The Unsung Hero of Irish Rock

No stranger to the world of Irish rock, Sam O'Sullivan worked tirelessly alongside U2 for 40 years. His career began with the launch of their debut album, Boy, and he continued on countless tours that earned him and fellow Cork-based colleague Joe O'Herlihy the nickname 'The Cork Mafia' [2].

For those intrigued by Rory Gallagher's Frankenstein Strat, further information can be found at Bonhams.

Sources:

[1] Gallagher, R. (n.d.) Rory Gallagher - Equipment. Retrieved from https://www.rorygallagher.com/exhibition/equipment

[2] O'Sullivan, S. (n.d.) Long-time crew member Sam O'Sullivan remembered. Retrieved from https://www.hotpress.com/u2-news/long-time-crew-member-sam-osullivan-remembered-496056

[3] Bonhams. (2022, March 3). Rory Gallagher’s Dave Edwards Custom-Made Stratocaster ‘Frankenstein’ Stratocaster Guitar. Retrieved from https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26281/lot/424/

[4] The Pick Newsletter. (n.d.) Subscribe. Retrieved from https://thepick.life/newsletter

[5] Gallagher, R. (n.d.) Rory Gallagher Live Shows. Retrieved from https://www.rorygallagher.com/index.php/exhibition/live-shows

  1. Rory Gallagher, known for his iconic Stratocaster nicknamed "Frankenstein," had a custom-made Strat from Dave Edwards that he used when his primary Strat needed a break during the late '70s and early '80s.
  2. This Stratocaster guest-starred with U2 at some point before being given to Sam O'Sullivan for his 60th birthday, a long-time crew member who worked tirelessly alongside U2 for 40 years.
  3. The guitar was sold at an auction by Bonhams for $50,000, showcasing visible signs of heavy usage, with the back of the body and the frets exhibiting the most wear.
  4. For those wanting to learn more about Rory Gallagher's Frankenstein Strat, further information can be found at Bonhams.

Read also:

Latest