2008 - Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster Relic Signed by Phil Taylor - Black

The 2008 Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster Relic is far more than a collector-grade instrument—it’s a meticulously crafted tribute to one of the most iconic guitars in rock history: Gilmour’s legendary “Black Strat.” This rare example goes a step further in desirability and provenance, being signed by Phil Taylor, David’s longtime guitar technician and the author of The Black Strat—a key figure behind the guitar’s evolution throughout Pink Floyd’s storied career.

Built from select alder, the body features a thin nitrocellulose relic finish in classic black, authentically aged to resemble Gilmour’s battle-tested original used from Dark Side of the Moon all the way through his iconic Live in Gdańsk era. With no back tremolo cover plate, aged white pickup covers, and parchment control knobs, every detail has been carefully implemented to replicate the look and spirit of the real Black Strat.

The neck is a major highlight—a 1983 thin-shouldered “C” shape duplicated directly from Gilmour’s own modified ’57 U.S. Vintage Strat neck. With measurements tapering from .790" to .870", a 7.25" vintage radius maple fingerboard, and 21 vintage-style frets, it feels immediately familiar to players who crave that classic Strat response and the expressive comfort that helps define Gilmour’s soulful bending style. The nitro lacquer neck finish and black dot inlays with narrow vintage spacing further enhance the period-correct experience.

Electronics are configured for tonal versatility and faithful sonic representation of Gilmour’s signature voice. A Seymour Duncan SSL-5 sits in the bridge for powerful leads with extra midrange punch—perfect for soaring solos like “Comfortably Numb.” The custom-wound middle pickup and Custom Shop Fat ’50s neck pickup deliver shimmering clarity, warmth, and articulate attack. Paired with a traditional 5-way blade switch, master volume, and dedicated tone controls for neck and middle pickups, this Strat is a tonal portal to countless Pink Floyd textures.

Fender also replicated Gilmour’s exact tremolo modifications: an American Vintage synchronized tremolo outfitted with a custom-beveled block and shortened arm, designed for maximum expressive nuance without obstruction during performance. Nickel/chrome vintage-style tuners, a synthetic bone nut, and a serialized 4-bolt neck plate ensure classic reliability and historical accuracy.

Every piece of this release was conceived as a premium presentation of the instrument’s legacy. Included is a Deluxe Black hardshell case lined with green crushed velvet, plus custom accessories such as a DG leather strap and DG pick. Early production examples—limited to the first 500—came with David Gilmour’s Live in Gdańsk 3-disc package, an official Certificate of Authenticity, and a signed copy of Phil Taylor’s book The Black Strat—making guitars like this one exceptionally collectible.

This 2008 Custom Shop recreation succeeds in capturing both the look and the essence of the guitar that shaped some of the most influential music ever recorded. Whether displayed as a true piece of Pink Floyd history or played as a professional-grade instrument, this David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster stands as a powerful homage to the Black Strat and the man who made it a legend.

Other specs include:

• Series Artist
• Body Material Select Alder
• 1983 Thin-Shouldered "C" Shape, (.790" to .870" Taper)
• No. of Frets 21
• Fret Size Vintage Style Frets
• Position Inlays Black Dot Position Inlays
• Fingerboard Radius  7.25" (18.41 cm)
• Neck Material  Maple
• Neck Finish Nitrocellulose Lacquer Neck Finish
• Width at Nut 1.675" (42.5 mm)
• Scale Length 25.5" (64.8 cm)
• Neck Plate Serialized 4 Bolt Neckplate
• Pickup Configuration S/S/S
• Seymour Duncan® SSL-5 Single-Coil Strat® Bridge Pickup
• Middle Pickup Custom-Wound Single-Coil Strat® Middle Pickup
• Neck Pickup Custom Shop Fat '50s Strat® Neck Pickup
• Pickup Switching  5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
• Master Volume,  Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),  Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
• Hardware Finish  Nickel/Chrome
• Bridge  American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with Custom Beveled Tremolo Block and Shortened Tremolo Arm
• Tuning Machines  Vintage Style Machine Heads
• Nut  Synthetic Bone
• Case Deluxe Black Hardshell Case (Green Crushed Velvet Interior)
• Accessories Deluxe Black Hardshell Case, Custom Leather Strap, DG Pick, David Gilmour's Three Disc "Live In Gdansk" CD and DVD Package, a Copy of Phil Taylor's "The Black Strat" Book, and Certificate of Authenticity
• Unique Features  Thin-Shouldered "C" Neck Shape Duplicated from David's 1983 U.S. Vintage "˜57 Strat® Neck, Custom Shortened Tremolo Arm, Custom Beveled Tremolo Block, No Back Tremolo Cover Plate, Black Dot Position Inlays (Narrow Spacing), Aged White Pickup Covers, Aged Parchment Control Knobs Covers, A Faithful Re-creation of David's Infamous "Black Strat", The First 500 Sold in Either Finish Option will Include a Limited Edition, Signed Copy of "The Black Strat"  Book, Autographed by the Author, David's Long-Standing Guitar Tech, Phil Taylor.
• 7 lbs 10 oz
• #R43656

For more information about the Fender Custom Shop David Gilmore Relic Stratocaster, please contact us.

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