George Harrison's '62 Rickenbacker Guitar Headed to Auction
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https://music.yahoo.com/news/george-harrisons-62-rickenbacker-guitar-headed-auction-154729734-rolling-stone.html
An electric guitar owned and played in the studio by George Harrison is headed to auction. The Beatle's 1962 Rickenbacker 425 will be up for grabs on May 17th at Manhattan's Hard Rock Cafe, where it's estimated to fetch up to $600,000. -
Wow, I doubt it will get even half of that, but we'll see. I work in Manhattan maybe I should go to the auction just to watch. Is it open to the public?
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It could go for much more, too.
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Erik in NJ:
Wow, I doubt it will get even half of that, but we'll see. I work in Manhattan maybe I should go to the auction just to watch. Is it open to the public?
I think it could actually go for that much or even more since this was the guitar he used on "I Want to Hold Your Hand"
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Is this the serial number 000002 12-string of which George was gifted by Rickenbacker? Vintage guitar prices are on a precipitous decline, so we'll see what happens. If it's open to the public I might drop in -- have not been to the HRC in years. Anyone from this forum wanna join me?
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I just read the article and I see it's not the guitar I thought, but an earlier one. The 12-string *might* fetch that price with the super low serial number, but I can't see this one going for anywhere near that, sorry. But, we'll see what happens next week.
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I wish that George was still alive...and had all of his guitars
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SurSteven:
I wish that George was still alive...and had all of his guitars
Both George and John.
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I know that George would give away some of his guitars from time to time to friends like Clapton etc. and I'm assuming that some may have been stolen (I know one fell off a car or van or something and smashed
) but does anyone know how this guitar found it's way to the market? I'd be surprised that the family would sell it just as I am surprised that Yoko has seemingly put so much of John's stuff up for sale. -
It is sad about any possible pilferage along the way. If I owned a famous guitar, I probably wouldn't feel right for long unless it was on display somewhere for others to see. It seems to be a natural flow of life for our belongings to be dispersed and passed on. I have already given most of my famous 60's and 70's music albums to my oldest granddaughter.
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The guitar went for $657,000.
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That is really crazy! Did they sweeten the pot with some other memorabilia??
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George Harrison remains one of the most gifted, influential guitarists of all time. I don't see why the pot would have to be sweetened to entice someone to purchase one of his instruments.
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Soft-Hearted Hana:
George Harrison remains one of the most gifted, influential guitarists of all time. I don't see why the pot would have to be sweetened to entice someone to purchase one of his instruments.
Indeed!
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Soft-Hearted Hana:
George Harrison remains one of the most gifted, influential guitarists of all time.
It's easy to write that because it sounds nice but I would think one would have a very difficult time backing that up with fact. I'd say that's a true statement for the Beatles as a whole and that's probably why the guitar went for so much on this 50th anniversary year, but I'm sorry I don't see GH as being a terribly influential guitarist in the grand scheme of things. Yes, he was a good guitarist like Ringo was a good drummer, but neither of them were greats.
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lol lol lol lol lol lol It is too funny to say that George isn't a great guitarist. I'm just going to leave it at that! P
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Do you play guitar? I ask because I do. You mention the phrase "most talented and influential guitarist of the era." I'd list Page, Clapton, Beck, Hendrix, Santana, Gilmour amongst those not to mention a number of the jazz greats. George was a good pop guitarist like Ringo was a good pop drummer. I don't see George being a real innovator (other than maybe messing around with the sitar a bit) or breaking new ground, the Beatles weren't known for any really amazing guitar riffs and when they were it was typically Paul playing guitar, not George. How can you compare George to Page or Clapton as far as guitar skills go?
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No, I don't play guitar; I play piano. I also wrote "one of the most gifted, influential guitarists" because he is one of many of the great guitarists - some of whom you mention. I also did not rank him before or behind anyone. The style comparisons with Clapton et al are old, tired arguments. I just simply stand by my statement that George was a great guitarist. Moreover, he played in service of the song, which was the MO of all the Beatles.
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Sorry Hana, but I agree with Erik. George was a good guitarist, not great. Look at the best solos done on Beatles records: While My Guitar Gently Weeps: Clapton. Taxman & Good Morning Good Morning: Paul. Even And Your Bird Can Sing was half Paul!
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Soft-Hearted Hana:
Moreover, he played in service of the song, which was the MO of all the Beatles.
Not exactly, Paul's bass playing was extraordinary on many Beatles songs--rivaling the best bass players out there. Bass guitar doesn't stand out like lead guitar so he never really got the credit he deserved, but many of his bass lines were incredible. You could say that Paul and John were the song. George and Ringo played in service of the song and did a good job of it because that was what was called for. George was a good guitarist for sure but he was not able to play like a Clapton or a Page. Take a listen to some of the guitar work in Cream or early Zeppelin--it's a whole different ballgame. Paul on the other hand could compete and then some with a Jack Bruce or a John Paul Jones on bass.
