I'm thrilled and proud to announce that my highly acclaimed book ANNIVERSARY STRAT has been shortlisted in the Self-Published category for the British Book Design and Production Awards. It's one of five books shortlisted - so wish me luck! www.britishbookawards.org #britishbook #designaward #productionaward #acclaimedbook #anniversarystratbook #anniversarystratshortlisted #bookstagram #bookshelf #greatread #goodread #booklovers #bestbook #awardwinningbook #booknominated #fend

I recently enjoyed speaking with Lars Mullen and being filmed by Mike Berry for a Britain's Rare Guitars programme. I'm also attending the Britain's Rare Guitars Show at Wigan in the UK on 7th September. Apart from being interviewed on the main stage between 12:30 and 1:15, I will be signing copies of my ANNIVERSARY STRAT book at the show. I'll also have a couple of guitars from the book there with me on the day. So come along and say "Hi" if you can make it! Gary #BritainsRa

I'm delighted to report that the ANNIVERSARY STRAT book cover is finally taking shape. This is a rough draft of the front cover, which should give some indication of how the final high quality version will look. There will be 1,954 signed and numbered copies of the brand new Fender guitar book available when it's published early in the New Year. Folks are already requesting preferred numbers, so if you want a particular 4-digit number you can email me at books@garydavies.com

I have to admit things will go quiet for a while. I'm certainly getting into the huge task of desktop publishing all the material, and it's fun! In the meantime here are some draft pages from Chapter 2. #35thannversarystratocaster #ebonyfretboard #birdseyemaple #antiquesunburst #LeoFender #HermitageStratocaster #customshop #LaceSensorpickups #LaceSensors #MDX #midrangeboost #GaryDavies #chapter #book #publishing

It was a real pleasure to catch up with Master Guitar Builder Jason Smith today. Like his fellow Master Builders at the Fender Custom Shop, Jason is a wonderful ambassador for Fender. Not only do these busy folks have considerable talent and passion, they are also willing to share their memories and stories with this funny, strange Brit from across the pond! Respect Jason......and I look forward to the next time! #JasonSmith #masterbuilder #Fender #FenderCustomShop #GaryDavie

The Fender Custom Shop 30th anniversary celebrations are now in full swing. Some stunning guitars have been released to commemorate 30 years of the Fender Custom Shop and I now have even more Anniversary Stratocasters to cover in my book. Take a look at this cool video that celebrates the Fender Custom Shop's 30th anniversary. I've met and interviewed many of these folks as part of my research for my Anniversary Stratocaster book. This is largely why I now spend my life playi

My wife and I visited the Fender facility at Corona, California in August 2016 and master builder Greg Fessler very kindly gave us a personal tour of the Custom Shop and factory. During our 3 week visit to Southern California we met all the present master builders, plus some of the legendary characters who worked at the Fender Custom Shop in the early days. It was a real treat and I count myself lucky to have been able to spend some quality time outside work with some of them