Small wonder, given that it is valued at about $250,000.

The classic guitar was possibly worth more than the rest of the vintage guitars put together in a display at the Statesman Hotel yesterday.

''I'm not an investment broker...[but] guitars are probably the best investment you can make,'' Mr Bova said.

In 1954 Leo Fender produced the guitar that would become a rock 'n' roll icon.The 1954 model gets reissued every decade or so, most recently in 2004 for the 50th anniversary of the Stratocaster. These reissues can fetch $10,000 or more, but an original like Mr Bova's is unlikely to lose value.

The Stratocaster is usually housed at Downtown Music in Annandale, along with a sonic blue Stratocaster given to Mr Bova's store by Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora.

Mr Bova's 1954 model will probably never be sold, although he said he has flogged off guitars with higher price tags before.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times