This is a very special guitar that I traded for and intended to keep as a collector's item/investment. The need for $$ has caused me to need to sell it long before I'd like. This is 1 of 40 of the first run of Rory Gallagher strats made by John Cruz that was released in the UK in 1999/2000. New Tribute models are selling for $4700 so you can one of the originals for about the same. I have searched the internet and have not found one of the first run models going up for sale so I am certain this is a rare and hard to find guitar. More info can be found here: Plenty of info can be found on the internet too with a quick google search. The guitar is in excellent playing condition but of course it is extremely heavily reliced. I have removed the neck (pics below) and sent pics to Fender Custom Shop and confirmed authenticity. The reply email gave the specs and info below: Model Name: Rory Gallagher Stratocaster®Model Number: 923-6000-498Series: Limited Edition SeriesBody: AlderNeck: Maple with ‘60s “C” ShapeFingerboard: Rosewood with Original Dot Spacing (9.5” Radius/241mm)No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo FretsScale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)Width @ Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)Hardware: NickelMachine Heads: 5 Gotoh Die-Cast Machines with One Mis-Matched Sperzel Tuner Bridge: Vintage StylePickguard: 3-Ply Mint GreenPickups: Set of 3 Custom '60s PickupsPickup Switching: 5 Position BladeControls: Master Volume, Tone (Neck), Tone (Mid) with Aged KnobsColors: (800) 3-color Sunburst,(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)Strings: Fender Super 250R, (.010 to .046) Nickel Plated Steel pn# 073-0250-006Other Features: One Mis-matched Tuning Machine,One Mis-matched Pearl Dot at the 12th Fret,Slot-Head Mounting Screws in Selector Switch,Heavily Worn and Distressed with Most of the Paint Missing,Replicates the Wear Patterns of Rory’s Original GuitarSource: U.S. Fender Custom ShopAccessories: Brown Tolex Case, Strap, CableU.S. MSRP: $INTRODUCED:DISCONTINUED:DISCONTINUED COLORS:COMMENTS: Heavily relic'ed replica of the 1961 Stratocaster played by Rory GallagherLimited run of 40 pieces for Fender Europe