Offered Here: Ian McLagan 1965 Custom Telecaster with Stratocaster Neck. This remarkable 1965 Fender Telecaster (Serial No. L94434) is a singular piece of rock and roll history, documenting the lifelong career and friendships of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ian McLagan. McLagan bought this guitar for his first performance with the SF and later Marriott used this guitar on both recordings of "Tin Soldier" and “All or Nothing”. Originally finished in cream, the guitar was famously stripped to its natural woodgrain by McLagan in 1969. That same year, the body was hand-carved by Peter Frampton to accommodate a historic Gibson humbucker salvaged from a Gibson SG that Pete Townshend had smashed during a legendary performance at the Marquee Club. The instrument’s unique configuration was further cemented in 1976 during the Small Faces' Playmates sessions, when McLagan and Steve Marriott famously decided to swap guitar necks. This Telecaster now bears the neck from Marriott’s 1954 Stratocaster (Marked 0062), a modification meticulously noted at the time of the exchange.
Beyond its impressive technical pedigree, this guitar was Ian McLagan’s primary soulmate in his musical journey. Despite possessing a vast arsenal of instruments, he often remarked that this was the only electric guitar he ever truly needed and vowed never to buy another, stating, “I feel as emotionally close to it as I do to my upright piano.” The guitar’s aesthetic is as vibrant as its history, featuring a custom-painted psychedelic pickguard and a clear finish that shows honest play wear on the back and sides. The 1954 neck is beautifully worn, with the visible fretboard patina of an instrument that was deeply loved and constantly played on stages around the world. This historic lot is accompanied by a hard shell road case stenciled with Ian's name, black leather strap, two additional pickguards, and an original Polaroid from Ian’s private collection depicting him with the guitar.
Provenance / Authenticity: This lot comes directly from the private collection of Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Ian McLagan, legendary founder and keyboard player of iconic rock band The Small Faces / Faces. McLagan who also toured with The Rolling Stones, The New Barbarians and Bob Dylan, and recorded with dozens of artists. It will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Lee McLagan, on behalf of the Ian McLagan estate.
Additional Information: The Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster configurations involved in the creation of this guitar mark significant periods in rock history. Ian McLagan used this instrument extensively throughout his career, including during the recording sessions for the Small Faces' "Playmates" album. The unique combination of a 1965 Telecaster body with a 1954 Stratocaster neck, along with its historical modifications, highlights McLagan's relationship with fellow musicians like Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton, illustrating the collaborative spirit of the era.
Condition: The guitar is in very good condition, showing honest play wear on the back and sides. It features a 1954 Stratocaster neck with a worn fretboard patina and is accompanied by a stenciled hard shell road case, a black leather strap, two additional pickguards, and an original Polaroid from McLagan’s private collection.