The Strat in the Attic

Thrilling Stories of Guitar Archaeology

By: Deke Dickerson, Jonathan Kellerman

Narrated by: Deke Dickerson

Guitar sleuth and music-history detective Deke Dickerson tells the true tales behind 48 rare-guitar and amplifier finds that will make any player or collector green with envy.

Finding that holy grail of a guitar stashed away beneath a bed, in a closet, in the dusty corner of a guitar shop, or up in an attic is something that all guitar aficionados dream of. Strat in the Attic shares some of those real-life stories, related in spine-tingling detail by the author.

Savor these and more believe-it-or-not stories of guitarchaeology:

• A hoarder’s attic stuffed with nearly 600 vintage guitars still in their boxes.
• A mint 1954 Fender Telecaster tucked under a bed in a family friend’s house.
• Jazz legend Charlie Christian’s Gibson ES-250, spotted in a magazine ad.
• A rare-as-hen’s-teeth Shoreline Gold ’56 Fender Stratocaster hidden in attic for 30 years!

For guitar collectors, players, and admirers alike, these stories provide a satisfying way to scratch that rare guitar itch.

©2013 Deke Dickerson (P)2022 Voyageur Press

Critic reviews

"(Deke Dickerson is) a gifted musician, writer, archivist and sleuth–clearly a hillbilly renaissance man–and knows how to spin an engaging yarn. The Strat in the Attic is a well written, high quality, full color book that will engage any active or armchair fan of electric guitars."–All Music Books.com

"Deke Dickerson... This guy is of an altogether 'nother breed. He coined the term for his particular case of severe OCD "Guitarchaeology." This man will track a guitar for literal years. He will fly to small towns on the basis of a rumor. He will pore over sales records from guitar manufacturers and retailers from decades ago, looking for a scrap of a clue, he will wait years for an owner to finally give in and sell. Okay, here's who Deke Dickerson is, encapsulated in just one of his dozens of amazing and thoroughly entertaining stories..."–HuffingtonPost.com

Great Stories!

A great read! Really enjoyable and historically accurate about the guitars from the early years!

A must read for guitar fanatics

This book is so thorough and well-researched by a man who clearly loves historic instruments and the music made on them. Deke is also an incredible guitarist, I’ve seen him play live. The depth of knowledge shared here is incredible, along with great heartfelt storytelling. My mind was blown with each chapter. Just go ahead and get into this if you have any interest in the history of electric guitars.

Stories of American Guitarcheology

This book brought me back to my childhood in the late 80s through the 90's, frequenting Midwest independent mom and pop guitar stores, the Independence MO and other guitar shows, pawnshops and backrooms of my dad's old friends who'd played on KMA and KFNF outta Shenandoah Iowa backing acts like Ike Everly and his sons, Merle Travis or even Chet Atkins in his early years. My dad, who'd grown up honing his chops on Ventures songs and inspired by the Beatles and the rest of the British invasion, always knew every other musician and cataloged all the great gear in the area. This stuff was all second-hand but common I formation as a kid growing up, and it is unique to those of us guitar geeks that find ourselves so enamored! Deke recounts sooo many great tales that were just like all those my father recanted or led me through as a kid. I loved this book for those reasons and for bringing me back to that innocent pre-ebay and craiglist era of vintage instrument hunting.

Somethin bout us Midwestern Missouri Boys and our hunt for vintage mojo!

Really interesting read

Well read and informative book, loved hearing about the different types of vintage guitars that had been found in sometimes obscure places

For love of guitar and the chase

Great story for those that love instruments, history, and a great hunt. The stories about obsessing over details and analysis is fantastic

Great collection of short stories

Awesome collection of shorts, inspired me to hit up local flea markets and antique shops. Ready for volume 2!!