Fender x Yater Guitar

From the September 2009 issue of Juxtapoz magazine:

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Fender x Yater Guitar Project

Roadhouse lore has it that guitar innovator Leo Fender and legendary reclusive surfboard shaper Reynolds "Lone Wolf" Yater were linked on a development project back in 1954. Rennie's penchant for volumetric perfection and Fender's burgeoning business interrupted their interaction. Leo's passing in 1991 is rumored to have inspired the Lone Wolf and a group of tonal partisans to perform a remarkable piece of work.

We encountered this quixotic instrument at the Plaza Del Mar in Santa Barbara. The atelier is housed in an historic 1906 building and is a gathering spot for artists and craftsmen. Participants in this informal collective teamed up to massage Yater's uniquely hand-shaped axe into existence.

Raconteur James O'Mahoney served as top kick, Tom Long prepared the seasoned 60-year-old ash blank, Paul Schürch finessed the flamed maple cap, and Seymour Duncan crafted the Jazzmaster wiring and custom pickups. Phil Kubicki made the 1970 George Harrison solid rosewood neck and luthier Jim Lombard executed the tobacco-stained sunburst nitrocellulose finish and set up the flawless intonation. The finished masterpiece resides in an aluminum case hand formed by Scott DaPron. Other providers of conceptual logistics include the likes of Kevin Ancell, Chris Kirkegaard, and CR Stecyk III.

We can testify that this stunning piece of functional art plays perfectly. As to its future, I can only speculate. Is it a possible future Fender Custom Shop release?

If that's not the story, then this is just a one-of-a-kind guitar that's worth more than a house. A museum piece that does something.