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]
That account describes one recording period. A guitar associated with an album does not establish the equipment used on every later tour or every individual solo.
Fender's signature guitars
Fender's 2012 catalogue described a 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]
These are different references: the historic black instrument, a signature model based on it, and the later sunburst design. A listing that says only “Dave Murray Strat” leaves out information needed to identify the guitar.
Identifying a model
Use the model name, product number and manufacturer's specification together. A finish or an artist's signature alone does not identify the pickups, bridge or neck. For a used guitar, compare the seller's photographs with the specification and ask whether any parts have changed.
The same care helps when reading interviews. Record the interview's date and the album or tour being discussed before treating a gear list as current. Murray's band profile puts those periods in context, 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.