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[dinobyte]

Hello everyone,

My first post here! It's great to see a new forum dedicated to the Stratocaster. I thought I'd introduce old #0108. I must admit, it has the sweetest sounding pick-ups I have ever heard on a Strat or any other guitar for that matter. My jaw just dropped to the ground when I heard them for the first time. Just under the guitar neck in the first pic, is the original owner's instruction manual that came with Stratocasters from the period. Basically, two type-written pages explaining the trem set-up. I've also included a snap of the first ad ever published for the Strat from an April 1954 International Musician Magazine. What the heck... The guitar belonged to a musician by the name of Smokey Harper, aka... "The Timber Troubadour". He played quite a bit in the Washington state area in the early '50s as I understand it. I can't find anything on him after extensive web searches. If anybody comes up with something, let me know! As with many C&W players at the time, Smokey emblazoned his name on the upper waist of the guitar body. The letters have long since been removed and alas, all that remains are the scars.