# Guitar collectors and connoisseurs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 5, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240 "2008-09-05T21:22:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/21 "2008-09-30T15:42:01Z")
> [@rhythmonly](#): > > Although the Moderne was supposedly never put into production until the early 80’s, I’ve always wondered what would happen if an authentic 1958 prototype showed up on the market today. Hmm - in my meeting but stuck on a conference call so can use my BBerry! A true 50’s Moderne would go for big $ but only as a rare curiosity - they are butt-ugly and since they weren’t produced, no famous artists used the as with V’s and Explorers. So yeah big collector bucks but no idol-worship buks which is typically what puts a guitar in the stratosphere. Nielsen’s Explorer was super early - the split-V headstock was a holdover from the original patented deisign - this is sometimes referred to as The Futura since it is a bit different form the final Explorer design - but the first few Ex’s had Futura headstocks… ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/22 "2008-10-01T03:05:37Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > When Les Paul was experimenting with solid bodies in the early 40’s working on Sundays in the Epiphone plant (he’d worked out a deal to go in after hours with Epi himself) he built “the Log” a 4x4 block of wood with jazz guitar “wings” bolted on to either side for show. You know, I’d never seen a picture of “the Log”, but Google is my friend. [Here it is](http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Performing-Arts/Music/Instruments/String/Guitars/Electric-Guitar/Les-Paul/Les-Paul-01.html) if anyone here is curious. Wow, what a…interesting piece of …luthiery. I’d think the side ‘wings’ would rattle a bit. And that hacked up bridge and whammy deal is pretty wild as well. But this predated pretty much every solid body guitar (or maybe not, according to Gibson, but whatever), which is pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/23 "2008-10-01T12:56:26Z")
Jerry Garcia’s custom Irwin guitars seem to fetch a nice [price](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/05/09/MN222856.DTL&type=printable)when they make it to auction. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/24 "2008-10-01T13:09:12Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > You know, I’d never seen a picture of “the Log”, but Google is my friend. [Here it is](http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Performing-Arts/Music/Instruments/String/Guitars/Electric-Guitar/Les-Paul/Les-Paul-01.html) if anyone here is curious. > > Wow, what a…interesting piece of …luthiery. I’d think the side ‘wings’ would rattle a bit. And that hacked up bridge and whammy deal is pretty wild as well. But this predated pretty much every solid body guitar (or maybe not, according to Gibson, but whatever), which is pretty cool. Yeah - he’s quite the tinkerer :). You should see the documentary \*\*Les Paul: Chasing Sound \*\*that was done on PBS’ American Masters series. You get to see The Octopus, his original overdub multi-tracking recorder… He’s not mentioned rattling in the interviews I’ve read - he plays clean jazz so it’s not like Nugent harnessing the feedback of a hollow-bodied Byrdland or anything. Les did gig with the Log - there are photos of him with a full band. As for the first solid bodies, there are a lot of thoughts on that. Certainly Les Paul pioneered, but oops - gotta run into a meeting… ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/25 "2008-10-01T14:46:10Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > Jerry Garcia’s custom Irwin guitars seem to fetch a nice [price](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/05/09/MN222856.DTL&type=printable)when they make it to auction. Wow – are there _four_ pickups on that yellow guitar, or just an over elaborate bridge and tailpiece? (click on the thumbnails to see the two guitars.) ETA: after googling, it looks like 3 pickups and a weird bridge/tailpiece. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/26 "2008-10-01T16:46:36Z")
Looks like two humbuckers and one single coil. All of the Dead play(ed) really complicated custom instruments. Check out Phil Lesh’s insane [Alembic](http://www.alembic.com/club/messages/411/29219.jpg)mutant bass. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/27 "2010-01-31T18:02:24Z")
According to my memory of my Strat handbook, which is, of course, not here so I can _check it_, the strat Jimi burned… was restrung and is still playable. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/28 "2010-01-31T18:49:45Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > According to my memory of my Strat handbook, which is, of course, not here so I can _check it_, the strat Jimi burned… was restrung and is still playable. Dweezil Zappa has supposedly owned one of a couple of know Hendrix-burnt Strats, and it has been stated that it was the Monterey Pop Strat, but I believe it has since been proven to not be that one. Not sure if it is still has a link to Hendrix… ---
**Author:** ![MwNNrules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f8ce5/32.png) [@MwNNrules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MwNNrules)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/29 "2010-01-31T19:07:30Z")
I’m not the authority on these things, but Eric Clapton’s two famous guitars, Brownie (used with Derek and the Dominos) and Blackie (assembled out of three vintage Strats; used mid-'70s through mid-'80s), come to mind. Both broke records when they were sold. I’m not sure what condition they’re in, but there monetary value exceeds there use as an instrument at this point in time. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/30 "2010-01-31T20:16:13Z")
> [@MwNNrules](#): > > I’m not the authority on these things, but Eric Clapton’s two famous guitars, Brownie (used with Derek and the Dominos) and Blackie (assembled out of three vintage Strats; used mid-'70s through mid-'80s), come to mind. Both broke records when they were sold. I’m not sure what condition they’re in, but there monetary value exceeds there use as an instrument at this point in time. IIRC Brownie fetched close to $500,000 and Blackie ~$1,000,000 when auctioned a few years ago. Condition irrelevant although both had logged serious hours. But they have already been surpassed by at least the Garcia guitar Tiger and I think a Hendrix guitar. The point to this thread was what would fetch the most - Clapton’s Beano burst is FAR more desirable in guitar circles vs. Blackie. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/31 "2010-01-31T21:17:28Z")
[Pete Townshend’s 1952 Telecaster in action](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxZ77w9bnm8&feature=player_embedded) Rumor has it that Pete just bought himself an '67 Danelectro Coral Hornet ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/32 "2010-01-31T21:58:04Z")
Back in the late 80s or early 90s, I read a story in the Wall Street Journal about a bass that was about to be auctioned on behalf of the widow or the estate of Mal Evans, the Beatles’ roadie and all-round assistant. It was a Hofner bass that was given by Paul to Mal at the end of the final tour in 1966. When the auction appraiser took the guitar out of the case, it had a set list taped to the back. It was the set list for the final concert at Candlestick Park, and it was in Paul’s hand-writing. I don’t remember what that sold for, but I have to think it would be worth about as much as any guitar could be worth at this point. This is all based on memory; I can’t find anything online specifically about this guitar. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/33 "2010-01-31T22:20:43Z")
Another guitar, or maybe guitars, that I find intriguing are the prototype Stratocasters that were made for one or more southern California country players by Leo, George and Freddie as they worked on improvements to the design of the Telecaster. My understanding of this is that they incorporated a few of the complaints or suggestions they had heard about the Tele and built them into prototypes. They then gave these prototypes to a couple of professional players who made further suggestions. I don’t know if those guitars exist anymore, but they would be fascinating to look at and would probably be worth 6 figures at least. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/34 "2010-01-31T22:30:40Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Dweezil Zappa has supposedly owned one of a couple of know Hendrix-burnt Strats, and it has been stated that it was the Monterey Pop Strat, but I believe it has since been proven to not be that one. Not sure if it is still has a link to Hendrix… That is probably what the book referred to. (And Blackie is in horrible shape. The back of the Stratocaster Handbook is guitar porn, plain and simple. Beck, Clapton, Page’s strats…) If it _was_ that one, how much do you think it would be worth? ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/35 "2010-01-31T22:40:01Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Dweezil Zappa has supposedly owned one of a couple of know Hendrix-burnt Strats, and it has been stated that it was the Monterey Pop Strat, but I believe it has since been proven to not be that one. Not sure if it is still has a link to Hendrix… The [controversy discussed](http://www.zappa.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14956) on [Zappa.com](http://Zappa.com). It would seem there’s better evidence that it was a Hendrix Strat from Miami, not Monterey… ---
**Author:** ![MwNNrules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f8ce5/32.png) [@MwNNrules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MwNNrules)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/36 "2010-01-31T22:43:40Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > IIRC Brownie fetched close to $500,000 and Blackie ~$1,000,000 when auctioned a few years ago. Condition irrelevant although both had logged serious hours. But they have already been surpassed by at least the Garcia guitar Tiger and I think a Hendrix guitar. The point to this thread was what would fetch the most - Clapton’s Beano burst is FAR more desirable in guitar circles vs. Blackie. Okay. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/37 "2010-02-02T13:47:28Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Rick Nielsen is an avid collector; there was a book published featuring his collection. Back in the day, he was one of the first pawn shop scouters, finding 50’s Les Pauls for less than $100. I don’t have anything to add to the serious discussion, since I know jack about guitars, but Rick Nielsen is part owner of a brew-pub/pizza place in Chicago called [Piece](http://www.piecechicago.com), where there’s a few of his guitars hanging on the wall. He has joked in the past that he only bought into the place so he’d have someplace to keep some guitars. Once a year they do a charity deal where you can have Nielsen deliver your pizza from there. Seems like a pretty cool guy. ---
**Author:** ![banjoDavid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@banjoDavid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/banjoDavid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/38 "2010-02-02T16:16:04Z")
Clarence White from the Byrds and The Kentucky Colonels was one of the first post-Doc Watson flat-picking players. He had a Martin D-28 that was modified with an extra-large soundhole and different bracing under the top. His father bought it to be shared by him and his brother Roland. Clarence shot at with a BB gun when they were kids! The guitar now belongs to and is played by Tony Rice. I heard it played at a workshop a few years ago. No PA, just the guitar in a room. Amazing sound. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/39 "2010-02-02T16:20:06Z")
> [@banjoDavid](#): > > Clarence White from the Byrds and The Kentucky Colonels was one of the first post-Doc Watson flat-picking players. > He had a Martin D-28 that was modified with an extra-large soundhole and different bracing under the top. His father bought it to be shared by him and his brother Roland. Clarence shot at with a BB gun when they were kids! > The guitar now belongs to and is played by Tony Rice. I heard it played at a workshop a few years ago. No PA, just the guitar in a room. Amazing sound. Yup - good call. On the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum in the Vintage section, there is a long thread where a top repair guy/luthier has been contracted to rebuild/restore the 1935 D-28 that was very next in line serial-number-wise to the White/Rice guitar - the vintage Martin geeks are out in force, dying to hear what kinda tone it can produce… > **[The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum-58596 Found!!!!!!!!!!](https://umgf.com/58596-found-t93919.html)** > > It may not be a big deal or many may not even care but I personally am very excited and I wanted to share it with you. I received word today that a ce (a guitar geek?! who me?! ;)) ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240/40 "2010-02-02T16:26:14Z")
Would you believe someone’s tracking Kurt Cobain’s guitars? > **[Kurt Cobain's Guitars Now](http://kurtsguitarsnow.blogspot.com/)** > > Bringing you up close to Kurt Cobain's Guitars Hm. Elvis wasn’t famous for playing the guitar, Chuck Berry’s won’t match Jimi… We’ve covered the Log, Monterey, Blackie, Brownie… what if we cast a wider net? What _acoustic_ guitars might be worth a bit? [http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/legendary-guitars-bob-407/](http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/legendary-guitars-bob-407/) Dylan’s Gibson? Heck, Dylan’s Fender. > **[The New York Times Store | Official Apparel, Books and Gifts](https://store.nytimes.com?prodId=17649)** > > Unique Gifts, Photography, and Personalized Books from The New York Times [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-collectors-and-connoisseurs/462240.md?page=3)