Comment by wyclif

Yes, Hank Marvin was the first Stratocaster player in England as far as I know. Also, professional English players could sometimes get a coveted Fender guitar by buying secondhand in the US or swapping and trades with American musicians while on tour. That's how Jeff Beck got his Fender Esquire (he bought it from one of the Walker Brothers on tour) and I think it's also how Jimmy Page got his famous 1959 Les Paul (from Joe Walsh).