Billie Joe Armstrong’s modded 21st Century Breakdown Fender Strat is up for sale
The Green Day frontman’s 1970 Martin D-41 from the same tour is also available
Billie Joe Armstrong’s 1970 Olympic White Fender Strat electric guitar, which the Green Day frontman used during the band’s 21st Century Breakdown tour in 2009-2010, has gone up for sale through London's Denmark Street Guitars.
The Strat, which can be seen in many photos and videos from the period, features an alder body and maple neck and has been modded to include a Seymour Duncan JB SH4 in the bridge position, with the single coils in the neck and middle positions disconnected based on Armstrong’s preference.
There’s also a sticker emblazoned with wings and the words “Class of 13” under the bridge, as well as significant buckle rash on the back and wear on lower bout where Armstrong’s, um, arm, hits the body.
The Strat, which comes with a hard case and a signed certificate of authenticity from Billie, is offered for £12,999 (approx. $17,350).
If this is a bit out of your price range, Armstrong's 1970 Martin D-41, also used on the 21st Century Breakdown tour, is available as well.
The dreadnought boasts a solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides and abalone inlays and also comes with a case and certificate of authenticity. This one will only set you back £11,999 (approx. $16,000).
For more information, head to Vintage and Rare.
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Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.
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