Bill Silverman apparently wasn't paying attention when the Rolling Stones sang "You Can't Always Get What You Want." After a fruitless five-year search for the perfect guitar strap to complement his prized '69 Fender Telecaster™ Thinline, he decided to make his own. "El Dorado Guitar Accessories was born out of necessity," Silverman, 48, says. "I felt I could push the envelope of high-quality guitar straps." He contracted leather artisans to hand-tool each of the saddle leather straps in authentic Western designs, and silversmiths to apply intricate buckle work. "This kind of craftsmanship is almost a dying art," says Silverman.

Since the company launched in January 1998, a flood of international orders from guitar enthusiasts has business rocking. El Dorado places some straps in guitar stores, but 90% of Silverman's sales are by direct mail (www.eldoradostraps.com).

David "Kid" Ramos, lead guitarist for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, purchased his first El Dorado strap at a vintage guitar show 2 1/2 years ago and now wears El Dorado straps exclusively. "It was like a piece of artwork. I bought it on the spot," says Ramos.

One early-morning phone order came from England. Noel Gallagher of Oasis needed 12 straps while on tour in New Zealand. Silverman's dream client? "Carlos Santana!"

–Steven Banks