Dave Murray's guitars: the 1957 Strat and signature models
Dave Murray's black 1957-era Fender Stratocaster previously belonged to Free guitarist Paul Kossoff. Murray used it on Iron Maiden's debut album. Fender's later sunburst Dave Murray signature model follows a different guitar from his stage collection. [1] [2] [3]
The black Stratocaster
Murray recalled finding Kossoff's guitar through an advertisement in Melody Maker. He checked its serial numbers and sold other equipment to afford it. In the interview excerpt reported by Blabbermouth in 2008, he described the appeal of owning an instrument he had seen one of his favourite guitarists play. [1]
Murray also identified the black Strat as his guitar on Iron Maiden. He recalled using Marshall amplification with an MXR Phase 90, MXR Distortion+ and wah pedal. Fellow guitarist Dennis Stratton mainly played a Les Paul, giving the debut a combination of Fender and Gibson sounds. [2]
Fender's signature guitars
Fender's 2012 catalogue described a black Murray signature Strat based on his 1957 guitar, including its connection to Kossoff. [4]
The sunburst model on Fender's product page takes its inspiration from Murray's California Series stage guitar. Its specifications include an alder body, a rosewood fingerboard, Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickups at the neck and bridge, a JB Jr. in the middle, and a Floyd Rose locking tremolo. [3]
Identifying a model
Check the product number against Fender’s specification for the pickups, bridge and neck. For a used guitar, ask whether any parts have changed: an aftermarket pickup or bridge can make a signature model differ from its catalogue description.
Murray’s band profile follows his career, while the concert archive follows the tours.
Community discussion and sources
The MaidenFans thread Dave Murray talks about his 1957 Fender Stratocaster preserves the community's discussion of the older interview.