Strings West proprietor Larry Briggs has owned many iconic, celebrity and other significant guitars. Some of them are showcased on this page as well as our Strings West Facebook page photo albums. Text in this color link to those albums. At the bottom of this page you will find text and thumbnail links to specific albums by make or category.
In mid-1954, Leo Fender presented Eldon with a gold Stratocaster 5-4-54 (the first custom color one) along with a late 1953 single-15 Bandmaster amp (both are shown in image below). Larry was able to purchase and own both of these for several years.
Eldin Shamblin and his ’54 Strat
Strings West owner Larry Briggs (holding the ’54 Strat), and Eldin Shamblin
The Chief Mack Thomas 15 pedal Bigsby 3-neck steel guitar
A very rare factory-hollowed Telecaster body from 1967 or so.
This 1969 Telecaster sits among the vintage rubble inside the Oklahoma Guitar and Cowboy Museum in Sperry. It belonged to legendary picker Thumbs Carllile (spelling correct) and was pictured on his last album. Larry has owned it for many years.
This Epiphone Texan was the only guitar ever seen on stage and on album covers with Cal Smith, who wrote and performed “Country Bumpkin”. Cal had a distinguished career in country music. Larry bought the guitar in late 2014.A rare 1930 Martin OM-45.This is probably the only cutaway Epiphone Excellente ever produced.
Larry says “This 1925 Gibson Master Model F-5 was always my favorite. I owned it for many years before succumbing to selling it. It is now worth almost $100,000.” A nice example of Fiesta Red.Thought to be the world’s most beautiful Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster. Yes, it’s for sale.A covey of reverse Firebirds from the Strings West inventory.Larry sold this 1958 Gibson Explorer to Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick. One of only 22 or so produced by the company.One of the cleanest fifties Gibson Les Paul Standard humbucker goldtops owned by Larry.
Rarest Strat in the world!
This 1963 Fender Stratocaster is thought to be the only painted neck, painted headstock done by the company. It is still in Larry’s possession.A very rare late sixties Telecaster from Fender, sparkle lavender!Very rare 1938 Gibson SJ-200, rosewood back and sides.
At one time Larry’s vast amplifier collection included 140 Fender amplifiers in black face, tweed, white and brown colors. Larry’s collection of stencil guitars numbers over 200, and he still actively buys models with unique scenes painted on the front.
Over on ourFacebook page we have a lot more great pictures. Below are links to our albums there. Just click on the text or thumbnails to view those.
