Eldon Shamblin & His Gold 1954 Stratocaster - Ask Zac 184

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Eldon Shamblin was Leo Fender's favorite guitarist, playing in his favorite band, Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys. Fender supplied the Playboys with amps and steel guitars but he wanted badly to get his new Spanish guitar, the Broadcaster, in their guitarist's hands. Unfortunately, Eldon had no interest in the plank with strings and politely passed on the offer. A few short years later, Leo was still bent on converting Shamblin, so he had his crew build a one-of-a-kind gold Stratocaster in the summer of 1954, and gifted it to the Playboy guitarist during one of their regular visits to the Fender factory. Eldon at first refused the golden solid body, but Leo convinced him to take it with him and try it on the bandstand. Shamblin soon dropped his hollow-body Gibson and became a lifelong Stratocaster player, using them until his passing on August 4th, 1998. Today we take a look at Eldon Shamblin's importance as a guitarist and arranger for Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, and the fantastically rare and beautiful golden 1954 Stratocaster that Leo Fender gave him.
Photos and video clips on my site
www.askzac.com/post/eldon-shamblins-1954-gold-stratocaster
Playlist
open.spotify.com/playlist/1ef...
Eldon Shamblin lessons by Ment Morris
mentmorris.podia.com/eldon-sh...
Gear used:
2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
headstrongamps.com/lil-king-amp
1955 Stratocaster built by my old college buddy, B. Paisley, using a mix of old and new parts. Ron Ellis 50/60 middle and neck, Duncan Twang banger in the bridge.
www.ronellispickups.com/
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 10-46
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Pick:
Pick Boy Small Jazz, Tortoise Shell, 1.00mm
Effects: Amp reverb
#askzac #eldonshamblin #stratocaster

[@jamesflames9134]

The small group of guys who actually used Fender guitars the way Leo intended, for Jazz & Western Swing, are so fascinating because they feel stuck between eras. Leo could never have anticipated that his creations would be perfect for Rock ‘n Roll and the harder driving country and blues styles that would ascend during the 50s, and most Jazz-ers stuck with their arch-tops. People like Eldon are rare. A video on Roy Lanham and his Jazzmaster would be cool too!

[@jamesflames9134]

Great video as always btw !!

[@joeltunnah]

You can play just about anything on any electric guitar... fashion and emulation play a huge part in it. Also many famous players had artist models to promote for sponsors. Chet atkins is an example who preferred solid body guitars, but had his name on multiple hollowbodies.

[@glenntownsend2716]

i remember eldon very well--i worked at rapp piano sales in tulsa in the 60s after school and saturdays and eldon was mr rapps piano tuner-at the time i being a new guitar player did not know eldon was a great guitar player till eldon tuned my moms piano and my dad about blew a fuse telling me i was working with the texas playboys guitar player his all time favorite country western band.--eldon wes kind to me and taught me most of the chords i used my entire career--super nice man.loved his playing.

[@ronrayson7693]

Hi Zac: This episode and with Duke Levine are terrific. I lived in Tulsa in the early 80’s and took lessons with Eldon. I played the Strat on numerous occasions. I’m pretty sure he told me the knobs were what were on the guitar when Leo gave it to him. Also, amazingly, at that point the guitar had never been regretted. Also, I didn’t see it in the photos, but the guitar had a form fitting white plastic encasing on the back. I believe he had that done. He was a great person. He would write out his chord charts, with the runs, for all the classic Wills’ tunes. I was moving from Tulsa and at my last lesson I asked if he would let me record him and call out some tunes, he laughed and said “ you bet”. I still have that cassette. It was amazing. I did see the guitar at Larry Briggs’ booth at the Dallas Guitar show in the early 2000’s. Eldon also has a fine solo album if you can find it. Again, fantastic content, Zac. Ron

[@AskZac]

Thank you Ron. What an amazing memory to have!

[@LoveOneAnotherHeSaid]

Such a worthy man to draw attention to ... Even Mick Jagger venerates The Texas Playboys. This is the finest channel on KZbin for guitar musicians and gear - by a country mile. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024 TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS ZAC!

[@jhoskins5630]

Early '54s had smooth shaft 100K pots. The early styrene Strat "short-skirt" knobs (some call "Bakelite", they aren't) were smooth bored and required cementing them to the pot.

[@JCYoo]

I learn and discover so many cool guitarists through this channel. Thanks, Zac.

[@telecasterbear]

Thanks Zac for shining some light on the real deal players.

[@rossrowley4331]

Oh, listen to Eldon Shamblin's wonderful rhythm playing on the Back to Back album by Tiny Moore and Jethro Burns in 1979.

[@stevehobbs6686]

Thanks Zac, Bob Wills is still the King !

[@colinwallace5286]

Marty Stuart (at the beginning of the Asleep At The Wheel version of “Misery”): “Mr Eldon Shamblin, would you play me some chords on that fine Strat-o-Caster guitar you got there Sir?” Eldon: “You Bet, Marty…” One of my favourite albums, all those great artists on Bob Wills songs back in 1993. They do Ida Red on that one as well, with Merle.😎😬

[@Bryan-ct2qm]

These videos are treasures of American culture. Thank you.

[@enidsnarb]

I just watched the videos of Eldon playing the Gold Strat ! Wonderful !! Thanks for pointing me to them !

[@danielerickson5175]

This is so exciting to me! I first learned of Eldon and his Stratocaster in an issue of guitar player magazine over 40 years ago!

[@jackjones2381]

Hats off to Zack , that was great , Zack gets the greatest interview and people, if you want to know something about country guitar - Ask Zack

[@henryb160]

Eldon is a longstanding favorite of mine and I knew JB had bought his Strat but I thought he'd sold it on soon after. Glad to hear he still owns it.

[@jfinester]

Another great episode! I discovered Eldon Shamblin’s playing in the early ‘70s, with Bob Wills re-releases and Merle Haggard’s Bob Wills tribute album. Shamblin and Junior Barnard were huge influences on my own playing. I’m saving this episode!

[@brianwood7237]

Back when I started reading vintage guitar magazine in the 90s I remember a great article on Eldon and his gold Stratocaster...✌️Happy Holidays Zac

[@j-2-532]

Just found this video...cheers and Happy Birthday, Sir!

[@jeffcooper3433]

Not only great videos but I keep ordering the books you have on display behind you.

[@michaelruiz3167]

Very good episode, one thing I would like to mention and not for nothing but we got a Jazzmaster it was bought brand new from Mannys in NYC and it came with flat wound strings in early ‘65 soon after the holidays. It was special ordered 3 color sunburst with a clear plastic guitar back protecter also with that purchase was a Bandmaster with a 2 x 12 Showman cabinet.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

I know of a mint 61 jazzmaster that came new with flatwounds

[@johnporcellino1599]

Zac, I love all your videos, but this is for sure one of my favorites! The Texas Playboys were one of my gateways into country music way back when and I still love listening to them. I love all the history in your videos, but I especially like it when you play a little, demonstrate stuff, like in this one. Thanks for all you do!

[@garycherwonka3615]

I had the great privilege of being able to study guitar and arranging and piano tuning with Eldon for 3 years in the mid 80's when we were both instructors at Roger's State College in Claremore OK. What I learned from Eldon was that he was initially reluctant to try a solid body guitar after the way Will's reacted to the Rickenbacker. The 54 Strat was painted with an experimental gold flake finish. To get the metalflake look they used copper flakes which turned the finish green as they oxidized. Eldon also often brought a Super 400 which Merle Haggard had given him. In, I believe 1992 I and my good friends, Steve and Jenni Collier, stopped by to see him at his King st. home. He told us that Leo Fender had given him a number of guitars over the years but he was so used to the feel of the '54 that he couldn't play anything else. He showed us a G+L Strat which was the latest one. I think he also might have had an Ernie Ball. He said that he had played an Austin City Limits show with Asleep at the Wheel and someone had tried to steal the' 54 which motivated him to sell it to a friend who ran Cains Ballroom. If I remember correctly he said that when he decided to sell it Fender sent a tech over who measured every millimeter of the guitar with calipers and they had their custom shop build him a Strat that felt just like the '54. Eldon also said that the wife of Fender's CEOS bought his Super 400. At that time his eyesight was pretty bad and though he knew us very well, we had to tell him who we were. We felt bad that he might have had to sell his guitars because of financial hardship.

[@enidsnarb]

So thank you so much for this ! I just watched two Eldon Shamblin videos here playing this Strat !!! Only using the neck pickup in the videos and sounding incredible ! You know who else had big fat fingers like that ??? Segovia !!! The Segovia of Texas Swing !!!

[@fives.]

Eldon Shamblin's gold '54 Strat and then Roy Buchanan's obsession with Blackguard Telecasters were my weird eureka moment about using Fenders for jazz styles, then Ted Greene & Ed Bickert were when I realized that more people had figured this out than I had originally anticipated

[@chippsterstephens6800]

My goodness! Few people put me On the edge of my seat, people like Rupert neve can, and so can zak…..well done man, absolutely fascinating, the whole story, a 54 is rare as hens teeth, but this one….thank you zak!

[@NickRatnieks]

The 1993 Asleep At The Wheel album "Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys" has the song "Misery" done by Marty Stuart who at the start asks Eldon Shamblin " Brother Eldon Shamblin will you play me some chords on that fine Stratocaster guitar you have got there"- the one that is the subject of this film. You can find it on YT.

[@douglasscharnberg3883]

Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys For The Last Time is way better listening than Asleep At The Wheel. Go to the genuine source, not second generation imitators

[@NickRatnieks]

I highlighted that track because Marty Stuart mentioned the Stratocaster guitar and Eldon kicks the song off. I have the Tiffany Transcriptions on vinyl and any number of Bob Wills albums plus Charles Townsend's bio- San Antonio Rose: The Life and Music of Bob Wills. Don't worry, I listen to Bob.

[@douglasscharnberg3883]

@@NickRatnieks yeah man! it's all good stuff. I just can't stand that little banty rooster Marty Stewart. I know he's talented but I have always considered him a second tier wanna be who only dresses like a star. He's no Eldon, and damn sure no Clarence White.

[@NickRatnieks]

@@douglasscharnberg3883 There are few who could compete with the skills of Clarence White but to be fair to Marty, he has done his time from a very early age, so he gets credit for his endurance and commitment- even if he's a bit of a human Christmas tree but that's his thing, I suppose! He's never going to enter the running in the Willy Nelson sartorial stakes.

[@douglasscharnberg3883]

@@NickRatnieks good point, Nick. Credit given where credit's due. I love the human christmas tree analogy!

[@txtele]

Thanks a lot for making this really appreciate your channel and all you do for this community

[@fearnpol4938]

The earliest Strats in 1954 had all three pots 100k it was late ‘54 that they changed to 250k.

[@randyrich2039]

I've heard some collectors say that the first 100 or so strats, (maybe less) had 100K pots. But I'm not an expert, it's just what I've heard. '54 strats are still prototypes. They changed some details as they progressed. Also, the 100K pots were solid shaft (that might be why the knobs would split, besides the plastic was weak then). It looks like a Gibson switch tip has been jammed or glued onto the switch, or did he just wear away the point on the Fender "football" switch tip?. Great video, as always.

[@henripcr7919]

Many years ago, while attending the Steel Guitar Convention (Scotty DeWitt) in St. Louis, Eldon was there - with his '54 Strat ...he let me touch and hold this Stratocaster. Just an AMAZING experience. He was such a nice man!

[@Hexen69]

Very informative! Very enjoyable! Learned a lot. Thanks so much for this, Zac.

[@garycoates4987]

My 1979 stratocaster has chicken head knobs in tribute to Eldon ,,, we used to play some Western Swing and jazz back in the day

[@robzagar4275]

Perfect video Zac. You did a good job with presenting the info and guitar. I loved it. Thank you.

[@PsionicAudio]

What a great episode! Such a treat. Thanks Zac.

[@AskZac]

Thank you, friend!!

[@jamesonpace726]

Love me that ole Bob Wills cowboy country what ever it is music....

[@ryok9056]

Thank you Zac for featuring one of my favorite strats! One of the worn out pages on my Galaxy Of Stratocasters book.

[@kcsvantasticvoyages9729]

Thanks for sharing this historical stuff on a fabulous player.

[@dlux703]

I really understand the preference for chicken-head knobs and have them on most of my guitars because they are so tactile. So, if you set zero or wide open for all your guitars at the same place, you never need to look at them to tell where they are set at. They tell you just by touch.

[@fgmmusic]

Great episode. I’ve been an Eldon and Playboys fan for many years, but learned many new details.

[@marks2254]

Thanks for sharing, I’ve had it for 28 years and am still playing. You will too.

[@Heavenreck]

What a cool story. I didn't even know gold strats existed in the 50s. I do love the firemist gold vintage strats.

[@picksalot1]

Cool. I really enjoy the history of guitars, the players, what made them so influential, and the wonderful music they created. Thanks

[@musicman1976]

Abstract loved this episode Zach!! Can't thank you enough for what you give us pickers!!

[@iannicholls7476]

Fascinating stuff Zac. I had no idea that Eldon Shamblin was such a significant player. Always learn something new on this channel.

[@martinfarrelljr]

Thank you Zac! Incredible episode

[@markjohnson9485]

When you think about it, the stratocaster was perfectly suited for the music that Elden played with the Texas play Boys. It could cut through the band with perfect tone and brightness.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I like that 1 and a 5 thing. I’ll do blues that way sometimes. Ain’t got time for that 4 chord, baby! I’m too blue!

[@brucehines2179]

Love the info, and love your show.

[@820hurleyj]

Bob Wills was one of my dad's favorites.

[@toulousedarling55]

the earliest strats had the knobs pressed onto solid -shaft pots and would spin on the shaft, quickly leading to the change to knurled shaft ....it's likely that the bakelite knobs were replaced ?! (if the saddles have slotted height adj.screws, then the pots are almost certainly solid-shaft) players(&fender) quickly found the neck would skate w/o the shim but fender didn't make this feature standard until years later? and simply placed a small piece of construction paper inboard of the 2 inboard mounting screws ! (*for a better alternative, make this shim out of 220 sandpaper and glue it into the neck pocket for rock-solid stability - plus it can easily be reversed, if need be ?!) ........*early gold paint was made using real bronze filings, which accounts for the "greening" tarnish and can be found on fender and gibson knobs, as well the gold-top?!!

[@dalandutube]

Thank you for taking the time to assemble the Spotify list. Appreciate the extra effort !

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@RedRose4711]

Excellent video...thank you!

[@luisn5]

Great play list! I am a rock / hard rock type of guy, but your videos are helping me appreciate other genres of music. Thank you! +1 for Patreon.

[@AskZac]

Cool, thanks!

[@louisdombrowski4198]

Howdy Zac Excellent & wonderful history and gear lesson. Thank you once again 🎸

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@roberthdahlquist]

Excellent overview - thanks Zac!

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@davegallagher7428]

Great video, great story. Thanks Zac!

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bigdaddystinkeye]

Very cool, Zac. Thank you!

[@sofakingstv]

Thanks for the wonderful video on Such a great guitar. It looks to me as though the pickguard may have been changed. You can see what appears to be foil under the shielding plate.

[@briannacery9939]

Love hearing this history!

[@williamjacobs6327]

Zac: Great episode, great story. You mentioned about sharing your birthday with Eldon. I found out 20 or so years ago that Junior Brown and I shared the same birthday, even the year. I talked to him after his show in Chicago last summer and mentioned this fact to him. Surprisingly, he was unaware of it. Maybe the guit-steel would be another interesting story to cover.

[@stevesuv]

Zac. I saw this greart guitar, under glass at a vintage show in the mud 90s. Not to diss on your pix, but it looked way more green. Almost solid green. Great episode. HHHaaaaahhhh!

[@dannywoody5497]

Fabulous program great information on the gold Stratocaster

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ryanfulldark2775]

Can’t wait to check out that Spotify playlist at work tomorrow!

[@Noitpure]

Thanks for the awesome history lesson and info!

[@AskZac]

You bet!

[@joeltunnah]

I love Strat knobs and hardware. A masterpiece of 50s design.

[@aroe3896]

all round excellence, thanks

[@jeffbenson6102]

I spent a weekend at Roberto Venn guitar school building an amp and all they played was Bob Wills the whole time, apparently they used to hang out there back in the day, in Phoenix.

[@vayabroder729]

So Eldon was a little bit like a man named Sue? 🤣😂 Great story and Merry Christmas to you, your family and everyone here!

[@robertmitchell2178]

Great video Zac. The Guitar Player issue photo shows a cool plastic molded back of the guitar protector that is attached by the strap pins. A 1980's PBS Playboys special also shows it on Eldon's guitar. Probably a great accessory to prevent big cowboy belt buckle rash!

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

Except the protector also messed the finish up

[@bartonbishoff]

I held a 1954 Gold Strat with stock gold hardware. The entire guitar was gold. It was owned by Larry Hendrickson. I have no idea what happened to that guitar and can't find it on the internet.

[@anthonymcgill8035]

Terrific content, Zac!

[@THEItchybruddah]

BLESS thee for this!! Your intro playing, again, reminded me: “OH yeh! Zac’s from Texas!!”

[@AskZac]

I is!!!

[@THEItchybruddah]

@@AskZac 😜

[@woodystemms3799]

The 10 inch Speedy West / Jimmy Bryant album on the shelf is *very* cool. That size was only made for 2 years, and the cardboard sleeves, exceedingly cheap, all fell apart. One aspect of the De Armond "monkey on a stick" pickup was that the bottom end clamped ( unevenly ) on the strings, below the bridge. It significantly affects the sustain, and sound, of the instrument. My pawn-shop purchase 1947 Epiphone arch top had been retro-fitted with one of them.

[@frankmatthewgonzales4314]

Great show, amigo!

[@michaelclemmons8114]

Excellent thank you

[@tulsatoolfool]

Thanks so much for this!!

[@AskZac]

You're so welcome!

[@gregmize01]

Thanks Zac!

[@MattLeGroulx]

Great stuff Zac!

[@BenPrevo]

Eldon took the knobs off the bandmaster that leo gave him with the guitar - 100k pots were stock the earliest strats -- solid shaft even with the push on knobs...

[@danielerickson5175]

I also remember that in the guitar player magazine spread Eldon had on one of the white 1970s Stratocaster “ bodyguards” that acted as a basket for the guitar to set in…

[@Badhands55]

Great video as always bravo

[@AskZac]

Thanks again!

[@TheHamebusk]

OUTSTANDING video. I'm thinking that neck shim could've had double duty...what better a hiding place for your secret sweetie. Or maybe make it out of easy reach to make it hard to be tempted. But keep it around "just in case". Ha! And don't be shy with the vocals...

[@rockypowers7623]

I got some closeups of Eldon’s Strat and him playing it at Bob Wills Days in Turkey, TX many years back. He’s probably my #1 guitar hero. My dad raised me on Bob’s music.

[@AskZac]

Fantastic!

[@rockypowers7623]

@@AskZac We were blessed one year to see Eldon, Herb Remington, Tiny Moore, and Joe Holley playing together. Eldon, Herb, and Tiny’s ensemble stuff was incredible!

[@jeremyversusjazz]

love eldon. love wills and pb’s. hey zac i have that ferrington guitar book too! i think we were buying the same books back in the 90’s?! also i have a gold over three tone custom shop heavy relic 54 strat! yeah its a fake but its a cool fake! the neck is super relic’d and before this video i thought it was way overdone but if eldonds was like that im guessing they based it on his. great story brother👍👊

[@johndodson4527]

Ha my bd is 4 24 54.excellant story!

[@davidmackie2901]

As far as the neck pickup being changed, it looks to me from that picture that the new p'up was soldered to the old wire. Notice how shiny the lead points are on that one compared to the oxydized other two.

[@gwinn7830]

Thanks!

[@AskZac]

Thank you

[@CaptainSexy90]

Zac is the best!

[@stantissue2065]

My 50th Silver Anniversary Strat had a red factory rework tag for a shim, which was most appropriate since it was built in 1979. That might have been a factory shim on Eldons guitar. Something found on the desk or shop floor, or out of a pocket. Flat wounds suck on a Strat, unless you are using it for slide primarily. They are extremely finicky instruments. Most people get by with them set up incorrectly I think. I still hate mine but when I get it out of the safe, it stays out until it won’t stay in tune because the strings are flat spotted. Maybe it’s love-hate. Needs a re-fret and it’s green now from years of cigarette smoke in bars, but it is otherwise (finally) together correctly.

[@StickyVinny]

That neck shim is hilarious!

[@bradconklin2878]

Beautiful.

[@AskZac]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@arthurrodriguez6878]

Wow, a flat cut neck. Many if not most of the old Fenders that Ive seen are usually riftsawn.

[@jayvarner1305]

thank you

[@AskZac]

You're welcome

[@Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

Happy Boxing Day, Zac!

[@AskZac]

Same to you!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day Zac also how was your Christmas ❤😊🧡💙💛💜💚🌲🍶🍩🍰🍪🥛☕🎂🧁🇨🇦🇺🇸🎸

[@AskZac]

It was great

[@ish474]

Do you know when Dick Dale started playing gold Strats? Love this channel❤

[@AskZac]

Early 60s?

[@johndodson4527]

Solid brass grease pots

[@marshallvanwinkle2532]

Bartlesville, (OK) written on the note on the neck shim

[@Vern859]

Did Leo also give Eldon a G&L guitar that is kind of a rare guitar??? I think that guitar is on display at a music store in Tulsa.... Can you talk about that in a video.... Thank you! Happy Holidays!👍☃️

[@sjperry54]

Thanks for doing Eldon’s history. He’s one of my first guitar hero’s. Does Rumble Seat still have Eldon’s guitar on display?

[@AskZac]

Bonamassa bought it

[@vayabroder729]

@@AskZacNOOOO….🤭😂🤣