Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar, used by Sting

Object Details

Sting

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

Description: 1978 Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar used by Sting. Serial number S908109. The guitar has a black body and a light wood neck. The guitar has 2 knobs for tone and one for volume. There is a patch where the paint has worn on the back from "buckle rash" aka Sting's belt buckle rubbing on the back of the guitar.; Sting (Gordon Sumner) purchased the guitar new at Manny's Music Shop in New York City in early 1979. It was his first professional-quality electric guitar, and it is the instrument with which he wrote the songs for the final four studio albums by his rock band, The Police. The guitar featured in his recordings and rock n roll performances in the United States, as well as when collaborating with some of the most significant jazz musicians of their day, including Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, and Darryl Jones. The guitar featured prominently on Sting's solo U.S. tours during the mid-late 1980s with this ensemble, and it features in "Bring on the Night," the 1985 documentary that probes his work with American jazz musicians.; Rock star Sting organizes and performs at benefit concerts for such causes as human rights and rainforest conservation. He joins many American celebrities in contributing their talent and star power for causes.
Location: Currently not on view

1978

Physical Description: wood (overall material); metal (overall material); plastic (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 39 in x 12 1/2 in x 4 1/2 in; 99.06 cm x 31.75 cm x 11.43 cm

See more items in: Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments; Music & Musical Instruments; Popular Entertainment; Guitars

National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-bdcb-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa