From Glam Metal to Country: The Journey of a Legendary Fender Nocaster
The realms of country rock and glam metal may appear to be worlds apart, yet a unique vintage Fender guitar has created a remarkable connection between two iconic artists from these genres.
Once wielded by Tom Keifer of Cinderella fame, this 1950 Fender “Nocaster” has seen its fair share of action. However, when a prominent country musician acquired it, the guitar was given a fresh lease on life.
The Story Behind the Nocaster
“I used to toss it across the stage during performances,” Keifer recounted in an interview with Vintage Guitar, reflecting on his experience with this early model of Fender’s solidbody electric guitar.
The Nocaster is one of a limited number of ’51 Fender Broadcasters that were produced without a name on the headstock. This omission occurred due to a trademark dispute with a Gretsch drum kit called the Broadkaster. Fender continued to manufacture the Broadcaster without a nameplate until it was rebranded as the Telecaster in 1951. Owning one of these rare, nameless guitars is akin to possessing a meaningful piece of Fender’s legacy.
A Surprising trade
Keifer, however, did not treat this past instrument with the utmost care. In a surprising turn of events, he traded it to Gruhn’s, a vintage guitar shop in Nashville, where it caught the eye of serial Grammy winner and Telecaster enthusiast Keith Urban.
“I’m not sure why Tom decided to sell it; perhaps it had fulfilled its purpose for him, and it was time for someone else to cherish it,” Urban shared in a recent issue of Guitar world.”I stumbled upon it at Gruhn’s many years ago, played it, fell in love, and made the purchase.”
While Urban doesn’t recall the exact price, he admits it was “not inexpensive.” For a musician whose prized possession is a 1989 Fender 40th Anniversary Telecaster,affectionately named Clarence,this acquisition was a logical choice.
Unmatched Sound Quality
“It’s an exceptionally fantastic guitar with, without a doubt, the most powerful and dynamic pickups I’ve ever encountered in a Telecaster,” Urban states. “Everything is original – well, perhaps not the frets – but the electronics, hardware, and all else are intact. It’s truly remarkable.”
(Image credit: Chris McKay / Mediapunch/Alamy)
regret and Redemption
While the exact timing of Kiefer’s sale of the Nocaster remains unclear,it is indeed known that he later regretted parting with it. He revealed to Vintage Guitar that he eventually invested in another 1950 Nocaster, which he paired with a 1972 Marshall Super Led tube amp for his 2013 solo single, “Solid Ground.”
in a 2013 interview with Guitar World, kiefer mentioned that the Nocaster was his favorite guitar, implying that it was likely his second model - a sentiment perhaps intensified by the remorse of letting go of a guitar now cherished by Keith Urban.
Urban’s Musical Evolution
In other news, Urban has made headlines by altering the lyrics of one of his popular songs following his divorce from Nicole kidman, placing his co-guitarist, Maggie Baugh, in the spotlight.
Behind the scenes, he is collaborating with Paul Reed Smith to develop a signature Telecaster that aims to provide a unique playing experience. Urban envisions it as the most adaptable T-type guitar available, and early prototypes are showing promising results.
