Custom Shop Alligator Strat Anyone?

[jazzyvee]

An interesting read for Gerry & fans of the Grateful Dead.https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/builder-profile/fender-custom-shop

[lbpesq]

Interesting read, but not entirely accurate.    Wolf is, yet again, described as an Irwin guitar when we all know it began life as an Alembic.   And Alligator’s serial number, 7310, has always identified Jerry’s Strat as a ‘55.   And, if they made it EXACTLY like Jerry’s, most players would be disappointed.   The geometry of the modified wooden riser and tailpiece resulted in Alligator having very high action, higher than most prefer, but just how Jerry liked it.  It was incapable of any lower action.  When I built my Alligator, I modified the bridge mounting to accommodate lower action.  I believe the current owner of Alligator had this done to the original after purchasing it at a recent auction.

Here’s the Alligator I built:

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

Interesting read, but not entirely accurate.    Wolf is, yet again, described as an Irwin guitar when we all know it began life as an Alembic. 

I looked for a "Comment" section under the article to make just that point, but I guess Premier Guitar got tired of me correcting them on things like that and removed that feature....

And Alligator’s serial number, 7310, has always identified Jerry’s Strat as a ‘55.

 


An decent indicator, but not ironclad; Fender's serial numbers have always been a bit iffy as to date accuracy - which isn't even taking into account that in those days it was stamped on the neck plate; thus a SN is easily (and often) moved from guitar to guitar. 

And, if they made it EXACTLY like Jerry’s, most players would be disappointed.   The geometry of the modified wooden riser and tailpiece resulted in Alligator having very high action, higher than most prefer, but just how Jerry liked it.  It was incapable of any lower action.  When I built my Alligator, I modified the bridge mounting to accommodate lower action.  I believe the current owner of Alligator had this done to the original after purchasing it at a recent auction.

I read an interview where he said he wanted everything he did to be intentional, so he didn't want it to be easy for his fingers to do something on their own.

Here’s the Alligator I built:

Bill, tgo

And a lovely bit of work it is, too!

[pauldo]

Saw a post on Instagram showing Alligator with Achilles Wheel guitarist.

Paul (love their music but don’t know any of the individual names)

[jazzyvee]

I've watched a few of their live videos and their bass player has a couple of lovely alembics.

[mica]

Shelby Snow! He's a great guy, seen him on the Facebook group before.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Saw a post on Instagram showing Alligator with Achilles Wheel guitarist.

Paul (love their music but don’t know any of the individual names)

Mark McCartney - Drums, background vocals
Shelby Snow - Bass, background vocals
Ben Jacobs - Keyboards
Paul Kamm - Guitar (mostly rhythm, mostly acoustic), lead & background vocals
Jonny "Mojo" Flores - Guitar (mostly lead, all electric), harmonica, lead & background vocals

Peter

[jazzyvee]

Well just seen an aligator on Ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374226204175?hash=item57219eb60f:g:UuwAAOSwr-xjBfyf&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoE7Aq%2F0rXe28SbHr7lTMfqwUFVuXmP0Xu879oRNWRd5XwISWsCA8xA7Rijp%2Bs6L0kTce1hm9MbEDkBbV8rAAl1H7OcYfyjrk25RMnEJGGQ5KXw%2BLsXov24sO4xMtblwrJ08SfrIFckD3ndbIaZtGHt36vMZQu5Q7tydzJ6GrdI78hTdVTK09U9cjZXRVm5y7mDvUb0tVURrXBVV%2F2kaNmcM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7rHlt3BYQ

[rv_bass]

I like Bill’s better