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GALLERY: Vintage Gems from Christie's Guitar Auction

From 1940s Martins to stunningly clean vintage Strats. Photos courtesy CHRISTIE''S IMAGES LTD. 2012

"Sold together is an original two-tone sunburst '57 Strat with original hardshell case, jack cord, and instructional ""tear sheet."" Serial number 21771. The amp is also a 1957 and comes with the original cover. The duo is expected to sell for between $14,000 and $26,000."

Very diverse slate of tones. Capable of great focus and power. Potentially killer studio tool.

Sculpting tones in a reliably reproducible way can be challenging. Midrange emphasis may be a deal breaker for some.

$199 street

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Bold-voiced, super-tunable distortion that excels in contexts from filtered boost to total belligerence.

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Billy Strings' signature dreads are distinguished by a 25" scale and wider nut width.