A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ERIC JOHNSON STRATOCASTER

This guitar was supplied directly by Fender Custom Shop in 2005 as a reference signature model during early negotiations for the proposed David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster. Although fitted with a shortened tremolo bar as per Gilmour’s requirements, the guitar did not work well for Gilmour until a slimmer 57V neck was fitted to the instrument to better suit his preferences. When Gilmour returned to the studio to record his first solo material in decades, this particular guitar was one of a number he played during the final electric sessions for the album in late 2005. Interviewed in July 2006 for Sound on Sound magazine, album co-producer and Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera revealed that On An Island was initially very acoustic, until Gilmour’s electric guitar solos were finally set down in the last month of recording: He left the electric stuff to the last moment, and I wasn't sure he wasn't going to do it at all. So I was very pleased that we managed to get him back onto the electric guitar, and he put some great things on. Although he predominantly used his Black Strat and Gibson Les Paul for the electric recordings, studio footage and photographs captured Gilmour playing this Eric Johnson Stratocaster during sessions for the track The Blue at his Astoria houseboat studio.