Here we have what appears to be a 1980 Hendrix Prototype Stratocaster In Sienna Sunburst with Standard Headstock and a Rosewood board. The rarest of the rare. The oddest of the odd. Not even John Mayer has this one. Look at the unmistakable contours. Only one guitar ever made looks like this folks and this is one of only 2 non-white Hendrix Prototypes known to exist(please correct me if you know otherwise, In my research I have located pictures of one other non-white Hendrix Proto.) All items appear to be 100% as it left the fender factory. Finish is clearly correct for the era. All hardware, wiring and pickups are correct for a Hendrix Proto. It weights in at brutal 9.14 lbs. as it should.

This is John Page's response when I sent him some photos of the guitar,”
Jason,
There were a handful of “non-official” Hendrix style Strats that were created at the direction of one of the Sales/Marketing heads at the time, Mudge Miller. As I recall, there was supposed to be a total of 25, and he wanted to sell them all to his dealer buddies in Texas. I can’t remember how many actually went out, or if any were painted in that color, blah, blah, blah… but it looks legit to me. I can’t tell you why the s/ns don’t match up.It was too long ago for me to remember anything other than that…

sorry.

John"

John's response brings up the next part of this mystery. If you examine the photos you'll see that the serial number on the sticker in the neck pocket and the one on the headstock do not match. The serial number in this neck pocket DOES match the headstock of another (the other) Hendrix Proto currently for sale in Japan. It's body s/n also does not match its neck. (See photo)
The neck on this guitar is a rosewood 7 ¼ radius board. Stamped H.Gastelum and also signed in pencil. No Date. If you search him up you'll find quickly that H Gastelum was THE neck dude.  The neck is extremely unique and doesn't match any production neck fender made at the time ,likely being made for this guitar specifically. Though it is clearly Fender factory work there was not a guitar being produced by Fender with a 4 bolt, rosewood, heel truss adjustment and a walnut plug in 1979/80.

Guitar is currently set up with 9s and is plays great. Frets have a little wear but nothing nasty. Lots of dents and dings can been seen in the photos. Neck has some finish wear. Guitar includes whammy bar and an intriguing Fender hardshell case with the logo in the corner turned sideways 90 degrees. Just more to the mystery.

If you know anything more about this mystery guitar we'd love to hear from you.