Joe Bonamassa talks about the guitar that got away and how he got it back, and then some!

Joe visits the 2017 Orange County Guitar Show to showcase a few of his most treasured Fender Stratocasters. There is one type of guitar in particular that Joe has a “hang up about,” blonde over ash, rosewood neck Strats. Shown in this video, Joe has a pristine 1963 version next to a 58’ blonde maple neck Strat and a 58’ original owner Mary Kay.

When Joe moved to New York City in 1999 he did not have enough money to pay his rent. The most valuable thing he had to sell was his blonde rosewood neck Strat. For any guitar player, this one of the most difficult things you will ever have to do. As Joe made a name for himself and his “fortunes in the music business got better,” he was able to buy back the model of Strat that he had to part with years back. In fact, he now owns four! For Joe, this guitar “represents a journey” of his life and music career and signifies how far he has come.

Watch the full video above to see some of the coolest Stratocasters out there!