Rory Gallagher's Custom-Made Strat 'Frankie' Sells for $50K: A Guitar with a Legendary History

Rory Gallagher's Custom-Made Strat 'Frankie' Sells for $50K: A Guitar with a Legendary History

Rory Gallagher's custom-made Strat, known as his personal "Frankie," recently sold at auction for $50K. This guitar served as his backup in the late '70s and early '80s when his main 1961 Strat needed maintenance. The Dave Edwards custom Strat was used for pickup tests and wiring setups, ensuring Gallagher's main guitar remained untouched until necessary. Featuring a natural finish ash body, maple neck, and Indian rosewood fingerboard, this guitar has a unique history that contributed to its high selling price.

The guitar's serial number 015 is on its neck plate, and it is equipped with two DiMarzio pickups and Kluson Deluxe tuners. At one point, the guitar was in the possession of U2 before being gifted to a long-time crew member, Sam O'Sullivan, for his 60th birthday in 2019. The guitar shows signs of heavy usage, with the back of the body and frets showing wear and tear. It was sold with a letter from Rory's nephew detailing its history and usage on stage.

Sam O'Sullivan, who worked with U2 for 40 years, received the guitar as a gift in recognition of his dedication to the band. Alongside Joe O'Herlihy, Gallagher's sound tech in the '70s, they were known as 'The Cork Mafia' for their contributions to the music industry. The guitar's unique provenance and connection to Rory Gallagher and U2 likely contributed to its selling price at auction.

For more details about the guitar and its auction, visit Bonhams. The sale of this iconic instrument highlights the significance of Rory Gallagher's legacy in the music world and the lasting impact of his music on generations of fans.