Engraved on the pickguard RAPIER 33, the logo WILSON applied to the tailpiece, stamped at the neckplate 16238.
Gifted to Mark Knopfler by a longtime friend and fellow musician in 2000,
the
Rapier 33 was tried during the recording process to get an idea of
the sound and where it might fit in a particular song, but did not make it
onto a record.
As an affordable alternative to the Fender Stratocaster for the 1960s
British guitarist, Knopfler chose to display this Rapier alongside his
vintage Strats for an interview filmed at British Grove Studios for the 2007
Headstock Productions documentary Strat Masters.
The Rapier also featured in the
promotional
shoot for Knopfler’s 2007 solo studio album Kill to get crimson.
Photographed by Fabio Lovino.
From time to time, Knopfler kept this guitar in his study for home use.
This guitar was auctioned at Christie's in London on 31st January 2024. It was sold for 32.760 Pounds.
