Hank Marvin's Pickups - 1989?

[dave robinson]

these days I only play at gig volume, not because we're gigging but because we play in a scout hut out in a field once a week so can turn it up nice and loud and I seem not to get the time to play at home any more.

So for what it's worth, for a bigger sound I use Hank Moderns (about 15 years old now) and for twangier sounds I use Fender Vintage Noiseless.

Geoff

That French sourced Strat was his stage and recording guitar for years. Why people try to make a science out of it all, heaven only knows.

[ErikMAMS]

I have received a reply from Dick who remembers working on that album in 1989, but can only tell me that Hank used the old fifties Strat that was sourced for him by Patrice Bastien in Paris. He believed the pickups to be original. Perhaps Didier will be able to add more ?

Back in the early 2000's on one of the "new" online shadows forums Patrice Bastien put up his story about the French strat. Nothing particular about the pickups thought - nevertheless for those interested Patrice´s exact word below (as this was posted in public on the forum I recon PB doesn't mind):

"From: PBBoxes1 Sent: 10/23/2003 4:56 PM
Hi Erik,
The Hank's fiesta red Strat you can see (for exemple) in the1984 "Together" video is the right (!) Fender guitar that I sold in December 1980 to Hank...The complete story of this (second original fiesta red) guitar is a little bit long to explain ! and my english is too poor for explaining it correctely ! But in few words ?!:
You have to know that my partern and friend Jacques is born in France. When we were teenagers, and since the early of the year 1961 and like many thousands of others ones in the world, we try to play some Shadows songs. He was "Bruce", I was Hank ! At this time I played on an Höfner guitar and him on an "Ohio" (made by a french luthier Jacobacci) Since Apache, we were big Shadows fans... Jacques moved to the U.S. in the beginning of the 70's. He married there. In March 78 as him and I were always fascinate with the old and vintage american guitars we decided to create "Guitar Express". In September of this same year Jacques bought from Guitar Trader in New Jersey a 58 fiesta red Stratocaster.... I remembered his phone call :" Hi Bill (my nickname !) I found a red Strat. It's the same model than the Hank's guitar on the first L.P. of the Shadows... For us : a dream ! and we don't really want to sold this guitar because it was like a holly grail...
At least, can you imagine one second that two years later, the day where the Shadows did a unique concert in Paris "au théatre Mogador" I received a phone call from a french guy who said : " Do you know the Shadows ?... Hank Marvin is looking for a vintage Strat... Have you something like that in stock ?" And to answer proudly ! Yes of course !!! and I have my tickets in my pocket to see them tonight...
I met Hank and the Shads for the first time of my life after the concert. At this time the Shadows had to go to diner, so I took a rendez vous with Hank for the next morrow morning in his hotel room in the Concorde Lafayette Porte Maillot !
I brung with me three guitars, but as soon as Hank saw the fiesta red I kwew immediately that he wanted this one. Exactely what he was looking for ! He wanted a Strat with a flat and wide maple neck and why not for a fiesta red . What can I say more ! This story is better than a dream. when I remember it, you can only wish it and hope that it'll come true.
I want to add that when Hank bought this guitar (Brian Goode was the "real" customer, and Polydor sent me the money !!!) if the fingerboard, like many others maple neck, was a little bit dark and dirty, the original finish on the body was excellent... The wears you can see on the video have been done after ! Sorry Hank !
Certainly, it's because in early 81 Hank played again on a red Strat, that Bruce did refinish his one in the same color...
I just met Hank a couple of times after. Last time for me in 87. At this date he has changed the original 58 Fender neck for a british "custom made" luthier neck. I don't remember the name of this luthier, but I suppose that Ade must know him ? Some years later Hank signed with Fender for his custom shop signature model.
End of the story ? Not yet !
Two years ago my partern Jacques received directely in the U.S. a phone call from an australian guy who said : "Hello I'am a guitarist. My name is Hank Marvin !!!" Hey Hank I'am the man who found your fiesta red in the U.S and that Patrice sold you in Paris in 80... Since Hank bought directely from my partern Jacques his Favino guitar and some mouths ago an other original "Django" Selmer gipsy guitar...
Some news of the fiesta : Hank keeps it at home ! He has also and always an original Strat Sunburst 57 maple neck, he bought from the Hollies.
I stop talking !"

Erik

[Mike Honey]

Thanks Erik, that is really interesting!!

mike