Back in June, many an eyebrow was raised when John Mayer wielded a reverse-headstock equipped white Stratocaster during one of Dead & Company's shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
The guitar bore an eerie resemblance to Jeff Beck's Custom white Strat, and it was soon confirmed – by none other than Joe Bonamassa – that it was in fact the genuine article.
Last week (September 1), during Toto's performance at the Hollywood Bowl, Steve Lukather got his own turn on Beck's iconic electric guitar, using it, appropriately, for a soulful take on Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing.
In the process, the session legend also revealed that his and Mayer's use of the Strat was part of an ongoing project of sorts – spearheaded by Beck's widow, Sandra – to put the late guitar hero's late-career favorite in the hands of various prominent admirers onstage.
“I’ve got something special to do tonight,” Lukather told the enthusiastic crowd prior to the performance. “I normally don't play a white Stratocaster – I've owned them – [but] this is a special one. This was brought from England – it's Jeff Beck's guitar.
“His lovely wife Sandra and his closest friend and guitar tech brought this out, and they’ve been bringing it out to guitar players to put a little of love on it. Jeff and I were friends – we worked together a bunch over the years, in the studio and live.”
Lukather went on to reveal that other big names have been approached by the Beck camp – the aforementioned Mayer and Billy Gibbons, specifically. But, he emphasized, “they’ve probably got a long list.
“I wish this would make me sound like Jeff Beck, but it won’t,” Lukather joked, perhaps underselling his subsequent cover, which was replete with fiery – but always melodic and graceful – lead guitar work.
Now, the big and obvious question is, who's next?
Mayer and Lukather have already taken their turns, with Gibbons confirmed to be in the wings as well.
Though one must take his encyclopedic knowledge of vintage guitars into account, Joe Bonamassa's role in confirming that Mayer was using Beck's Strat at the Sphere would seem to indicate that he's aware of the ongoing project as well.
Either way, we can't wait to see who takes the magical Strat for a spin next...
"He'd been given the guitar for his 16th birthday and obviously didn't want it. I took one look and said, ‘Thanks, I'll have it!’ " Phil Manzanera on his Roxy Music Firebird, "Love Is the Drug" 1951 Tele and other favorite guitars
"A fun and unique guitar that’s nevertheless a sleek beast of a performer." The Frank Brothers Sonar electric merges vintage styling with diverse tones, making it a perfect all-rounder
