Let's call this week's Find of the Week somewhat of a strike: they're a set of 1983 Fender "Bowling Ball" Stratocasters in three colors—that's red, blue, and gold—available via our friends at the Chicago Music Exchange.
According to Trogly of Trogly's Guitar Show, the "Bowling Ball" finish concept (previously known as the "marble finish") was first developed in the 1980s with the assistance of Darren Johansen of About Time Designs (ATD), who would later work with Ibanez. Legend has it that the Fender team first saw his prototype swirl design at a NAMM show and were so impressed that they sent out 225 Strats and 75 teles to be painted.
A note about the process: the body is coated in a primer and dipped into a vat of soap solution with paint droplets spread across its surface. Once the instruments were sent back, Fender finished the guitars by putting a clear coat over the swirl finish. For more information on hydro-dipped guitars, check out the article after the jump.
Considering no two of these guitars are alike, the "Bowling Ball" Strats have become valuable, sought-out collector's items. Be sure to check out all three listings from CME, and get the ball rolling on an offer.