The Robbie Robertson 'Last Waltz' Stratocaster | Fender

Who would have thought that a guitar preserved in actual bronze would still be playable, let alone iconic? But that’s exactly what happened with Robbie Robertson’s 1954 Stratocaster, an instrument that gained worldwide notoriety when it was featured in the 1978 Martin Scorcese concert film "The Last Waltz".

Since the film's release almost 40 years ago, the guitar has achieved legendary status within the guitar community. Watch as the man himself explains the thought process behind the original design to Fender Master Builder Todd Krause

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Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is the world’s foremost manufacturer of guitars, basses, amplifiers and related equipment. With an illustrious history dating back to 1946, Fender has touched and transformed music worldwide and in nearly every genre: rock ‘n’ roll, country and western, jazz, rhythm and blues, and many others.

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The Robbie Robertson "Last Waltz" Stratocaster | Fender

[fender]

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[jamesbrennan]

I attended The Last Waltz concert at Winterland Arena in San Francisco that Thanksgiving. The promoter, Bill Graham, supplied everybody with a complete turkey dinner before the show started. I danced with my girlfriend in a special roped-off area near the stage to waltzes played by the San Francisco Symphony ballet orchestra. Scorsese was there filming the concert which was edited into The Last Waltz movie. Winterland only held about 5, 000 people, so I've often marveled at how lucky I was to have been able to attend this historic event. My undying gratitude goes to Bill Graham, The Band, and the overwhelming array of superstars who played that night. I was touched by an angel.

[O_Towne_Bear]

Came back just to hear him tell this story again. RIP Robbie. You inspired so many and will continue that tradition for generations. Hope you and Rick Danko are jamming up there.

[cheezrocka]

Rest In Poetry, and the world will always remember you and The Band ♥️

[billdillon]

when I spent yrs working with Robbie it was impossible to not hold and play that guitar, just to have it around all the time was an amazing vibe

[sdot]

Robbie was a natural storyteller….in song and in conversation….a true loss. Rest easy.

[BUNKERJR]

Love the guitar and loved the Band especially Robbie. What a loss. May he "Rest in Peace". His playing will live on forever. He's still playing looking down on us.

[celticfury]

Hands down one of the most beautiful kustomized Strats ever!

[dookieday]

It's great that Fender documents artists and their guitars for now and for future generations.

[rainslideproductions]

My wife and I were dating when this movie came out and we watched it at a drive in theater. That guitar caught my attention that night...and, of course, Robbie's playing. His playing is often so understated; minimal. I can listen to Robbie all day long...such an extraordinary person, musician, and storyteller. R.I.P.

[williammills]

RIP Mr. Robertson your playing, songs and legacy will forever inspire. Thank you for your fantastic contributions to music.

[tinagoldberg]

I am using someone elses computer to write this comment my name ia John Carruthers and I was the one who put the original guitar together. We had the body electroplated, the same process as bronzing baby shoes. I built the original pickguard. It was a bear to wire because the bronze plating caused the pickups to short out. The guitar was very heavy because of the plating. I also worked on Rick Dankos Ampeg bass, I installed a Fender P Bass pickup in place of the stock one.

[theseeker]

Total musical talent miss you Robbie Robertson RIP God Bless

[itaintmebabe]

5:15 "I would never want this guitar and I gotta have it"

I feel the same about it too

[steves]

This last waltz strat blew me away when I first saw The Last Waltz in the cinema in 1977. The most beautiful electric guitar ever!

[markwhitelaw]

Hmmm all the people on here knocking his playing.. maybe you should sit down and watch the Last Waltz, and turn it up! Great unique style all his own. Also listen to all the incredible songs he was a part of writing. So he doesn't shred, but he's an incredibly important guitarist/musician and songwiter in history. The line up of the Last Waltz alone, shows his and his band's influence. Cool guitar!

[martinobrien]

That Fender Sound is the story of my life .

[gevowavemagnet]

Robbie has forgotten more life experiences than most of us will ever have.

[krisscanlon]

Goodbye RR...you reached me at age 24 and 30 yrs later I see how your music took me to my next phase in life as i no longer was listening to kids stuff but real music.

[jamalabdul]

It's a beauty and iconic! It's amazing how an instrument can be as inspirational as the guitarist.