Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!

Subject: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Jun 99 - 06:36 PM

Yes, it's true. Some over-achieving dork just paid 450 big ones for the guitar Eric Clapton (says he) recorded "Layla" on! I'm still laughing. Ten to one it's a non-musician who now owns this "piece of history". Neither Eric Clapton nor anyother musician would sell an instrument they actually "liked" unless they were desperate. (and he Ain't)
Reminds me of when Mandolin Bros. were selling a small Gibson that Elvis (may) have given to an early girlfriend. They wanted 125 thousand for it! Or an Epiphone Sorrento that was one of about 12 owned by John Lennon. (he bought them from Long and McQuade Music in Toronto) Think that one was a steal at 200 grand!
Years ago a lady brought me a banjo uke and asked me to sell it for her. She wanted a 1000 dollars 'cause George Formby had autographed it. Had to tell her that his autograph was on every Banjo uke that came out of the factory (forget the company) and I got 75 dollars for her. Didn't bother with a commission!
Now Leadbelly's last Stella twelve string? I'd sell my soul for that one!
rick

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Fadac
Date: 24 Jun 99 - 06:40 PM

Well, I might sell my anglo concertina for about 1/2 that amount. It's clame to fame, I did play it while working on a ship, that crossed the Drake passage. (like going around the horn.) I made 20 trips with it.

-Fadac

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 24 Jun 99 - 07:10 PM

Rick,

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has one of Lead Belly's Stellas. I don't know if it's the last one, though. Two years ago at the Folk Alliance I heard talk of the Hall of Fame stringing that baby up with new wire and having a couple of famous blues players lay down a track or two on it. I believe Sir Clapton's name was mentioned.

I did meet a guy there who had a 12-String he had restrung with Lead Belly's gauges. It also had old ladder type bracing on the top (like an old Stella). It was a new guitar, but oh, the sound! It took me right back to Lead Belly's recordings the way no other 12-string ever had.

I came back from the Folk Alliance and wanted to try that for myself. But, first, I had to research the gauges of Lead Belly's strings. Some Search Engine led me to a place called the Mudcat. The rest is history (and the ending of life as I once knew it).

I believe Eric was raising money for the drug rehabilitation center he helped to establish (I mean with his personal money, not with his health insurance payments!).

And besides, unlike yourself who can only afford 5,000 guitars (2,427 of which were later stolen), rock stars go through guitars like I go through peanut butter. So what's a couple dozen less guitars? I mean, how many guitars can you truly love at one time (a new thread subject?)

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Helen
Date: 24 Jun 99 - 07:33 PM

Rick,

When I read this thread title I thought a 'Catter had bought a guitar for that much money. It didn't seem to fit with most of the 'Catters I know here: a) how many of us have that much money left over from normal daily needs to buy a guitar, b) why would we bother when it isn't so much the guitar itself which means so much to me, it's the music which comes through it from the person playing it.

Don't get me wrong, my Celtic harp (plus the cat and the family photos) is the first thing on my rescue list if there were a fire at my place.

There was a scene in a funny/cute movie, which I love, called Electric Dreams where the leading lady's cello gets chewed up in an elevator/lift door and she is devastated, but the leading man says that although he can empathise with her sense of loss the music still comes from her more than the instrument.

Helen

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: harpgirl
Date: 24 Jun 99 - 11:39 PM

Rick...you better not sell your soul...chances are eventually you'd be soulless and Stellaless too with your luck! harpy

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: McMusic
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 12:02 AM

Gee, I've got an old pair of Edgar Allen Poe's longhandles. Wonder what someone would give for them them?

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 12:09 AM

Yeah, I saw the 450 G's thing too...and Barnum was right!

At least the Clapton money is going to something decent. I am always amazed at what people will spend to acquire "special" THINGS. Whatever winds your watch. I know what you mean Rick about the Stella though and I got to thinking about the many things, often ridiculous, that I've stood in awe of...just looking at them! Of course, if it ain't my thing and others are standing in awe, I think they're assholes. When I finally realized this was a two way street, I began to temper my enthusiasm a bit...I mean I know I'm an asshole, I just hate to look like one.

I think this finally dawned on me at the Smithsonian American History Museum in DC. We'd already been through the Air and Space Museum where I'd embarassed the hell out of Karen by rambling on to her at great length and actually drawing minor crowds (some of whom asked questions...thought I was a guide) at various aircraft and displays. I'm a junkie, I admit it. But I was feeling great!

Then we hit the Amer. Hist. Museum and being a Civil War nut I came up on something that stopped me cold. Setting there in a glass case (a large one I might add) was a stuffed HORSE. Ah, but this wasn't just any horse, this was "Rienzi"----Phil Sheridan's favorite mount. I was gassed!!! I immediately began a diatribe on Sheridan (who was born about 6 miles from where I am currently sitting) and the legendary Rienzi. Unlike the Air & Space Museum, the crowd here was not especially interested in anything they were seeing, much less a stuffed horse. But I didn't stop ranting, raving, and rambling until I realized that Karen was now about 20 feet off, alternately looking away and making motions toward me. I finally went over and asked her what the problem was. She then uttered 5 words that changed my way of thinking --- "Pat, It's a stuffed horse."

You're right Rick......I'm sure that Karen didn't marry me knowing my main occupation is "eccentric."

catspaw

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 12:13 AM

Jaysus, Ricky! Have ya lost yer mind!!! Duckboots better commit you to the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed, if you ever spend that much on a gee-tar, agin! And, that goes fer sellin yer soul, too!**BG**

Some people are just nuts, eh, as opposed to P-nuts like 'Spaw!

katlaughing&jistphunnin'

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 01:06 AM

You know folks, I used to get all funny when I'd visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. I'd look at Honus Wagner's glove, and start dreaming about being there when he played. Now I always knew that 'ol Doubleday didn't invent the game (hell it was played in Canada years before, and I'm sure many times in the States) and I know that the Babe didn't point, and that Charlie Comiskey was in part responsible for the Black sox, but I love the myths, the heroes, the villains - the whole shmear. If I were rich, I'd buy anything that the 27 Yankees had touched.
I'd forgotten the good cause that the Clapton money was going to and truth to tell I sure would pay anything I could afford to hold Leadbelly's guitar. But only if it was one that he had loved as well.
Catspaw: re: the "Barnum" remark. That's why I love you!
rick

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 01:25 AM

I have an old Marine Band A harp that has been in my possession for 12 years. It has seen me through two marriages, and the birth of my daughter. It has sung a serenade for six newly married couples. It has screamed for joy at eleven Halloween parties. I left it behind at one gig, and drove 10 miles at the break to fetch it. I have coaxed laughter and tears from it. It has become an extension of my soul. It can be yours for only $999.97.

LEJ

PS. Number 4 draw reed is stuck on the piece of shit.

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 02:43 AM

So much for that harp, Leej--#4 draw is the most important reed on any 10 holer. I'll give you a quarter. --seed

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 03:39 AM

And what about the piano that Napoleon played at the Battle of Waterloo? That should fetch a bob or two.

Steve

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 04:05 AM

...anyone want to buy the Hohner blues harp Nero was playing during the great fire of Rome (Burn, baby,burn)?
Not to mention George Washington's "axe" (wasn't that a Fender Telecaster?)
[I thought I told you never to mention that]
:o)

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 08:36 AM

No Roger, in those days it would have been a Broadcaster.

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 09:56 AM

If the Clapton thing you all are talking about is the treatment center some celeb built on Antigua, the residents there don't think much of it. My son-in-law's mother is a public health nurse down there and characterised it as just another wealthy getaway/treament center without much in the way of offerings for locals.

My apologies if it isn't the one you've mentioned.

kat

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 10:06 AM

I'm sure I could get more than $450,000 for my Mansfield five-string. I know of several people who would contribute large amounts if they could get it out of my hands with a promise not to replace it. I hear my kids running for their piggy banks.

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 10:25 AM

Steve (P)
...or a Fender Smokesignaller?

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 10:39 AM

Here's a great opportunity. We're offering one of my 8-year old son's autographed little leage cards for only $150. Just think of how it will skyrocket in value when he becomes a majors league star!!

Bark

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Matthew B.
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 01:13 PM

I'm careful never too pay too much for a musical instrument, because as much as I love them, they're always getting lost, stolen or destroyed (or all of the above). I had a trumpet that was squashed flat, a favorite blues harp that was swallowed by a large dog, and a recorder that decided it was a fish.

I even once accidentally put my foot through my favorite guitar in a very bizarre set of circumsatances. Happily, an old Italian guitar maker repaired it for me... and it sounded better than before!!! I still use that guitar, and people ask me about its unusual "scars." I reply that, like me, it's "been through the wars."

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: LEJ
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 01:36 PM

Seed... you mean all of the magic in this old harmonica is worth no more than a quarter to you? I am heartily offended! 95 cents or forget about it.

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Songbob
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 03:49 PM

And to think that many of the damned guitars sold were CBS-era Fenders! Wonder what they'd be worth if they were, like "Brownie," from the 50s? BTW, isn't "Brownie" the one EC said he'd try to buy back? Wonder if 'twere himself who paid that for it, or was that just to drive up the price?

Worked, whatever the reason.

Now, Leadbelly's Stella, Woody's old "This machine kills fascists" Gibson, or even Wade Ward's Gibson banjo, those'd be worth at least holding. Though, to be honest, I'd love to play 'em, but wouldn't really want to buy one. I've played Wade's banjo, and it's nice, but just an RB-100 (I think) and not so great-sounding as some I've played and even owned.

I suspect that a celebrity instrument auction in folk circles would bring something like 10-20% higher than the same instrument would fetch on eBay. If that much.

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 03:55 PM

Bob,

I think you misread the acoustic guitar market (different than the folk market). People are paying ridiculous (to me) prices for some pretty basic guitars. Take a look at the "signature models" of some guitars that are endorsed by someone and are supposedly just like the guitar "so and so" used!

None of it makes the guitar play any better, but it increases the value as a "collectible" and unfortunately (I think) guitars have become collectibles.

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Bert
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 03:56 PM

Or the Jimmie Rodger's guitar that is on display at the Jimmie Rodger's museum in Meridian.

I would think prices would be lower in the folk world. We seem to be mostly poor or struggling. How many coffee bar gigs is equivalent to $450,000??? :-)

Bert.

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: skarpi
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 04:47 PM

And I bought my SeGull for about...........................? what are you gonna play on it?, or will it be on the wall??????????.

All the best from me skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 09:30 PM

Hey Steve Parkes, do you mean Napoleon's piano that's in "The Loooooovre"? I'll pay you 15 pounds to move it from one room to another.
Rick

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 09:32 PM

Okay Leej, you gotta' point......I'll go a buck.

Now how about bids on a Fender, acoustic, LEFTY, Dreadnought??? Karen never could play it and she bought it before we were married, giving it a little age....... so whadayuh think? Rick has already offered the mudflaps off a '47 Hudson and I'm strongly considering it! And Sandy is ready to part with the soundhole off a Larrivee which Cletus sent back when he couldn't get it to stay in tune.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Helen
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 11:36 PM

Matthew B, how long were you standing at the other end of the dog with a bowl and a strainer waithing for the harp to reappear? Was it playable afterwards or all clogged up?

Sorry, sorry! *grin*

Helen

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 01:47 AM

Back in 1952 I purchased a Ukulele in Yokosuka Japan for 800 yen. It is cleverly inscribed (MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN). The tuners are basically of the friction type (the same as found on expensive violins) and only two of them are missing. To add to its value the names of many of my shipmates are carved into the side and all of the ports that we were in are carved on the back and neck. A rather nice sounding instrument if you have nothing to compare it with!

Perhaps one of you may know the value of this one of a kind ~ fine instrument?????

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 06:29 AM

Helen...I'm so ashamed!!!!!!!!! Besides these anal fixation things are my responsibility.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: James Stanley
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 10:35 AM

When I took my first quitar lesson, I rented a Stella Acoustic. My parents then bought a Regal F-hole acoustic (this was 1959 and most parents were not amenable to the sound and volume of an electric guitar. When I got into folk playing I bought a Harmony classic, later a Yamaha 12 String. You are probably saying to yourself BFD. My point is that many famous players, and not so famous amateurs used cheap guitars. We should judge the quality of their work on the way they sang and played, not on their equipment. Eric Clapton's guitar's were mostly standard Gibsons and Fenders made in factories and sold for reasonable prices when new. His Martin acoustics were higher priced. There was no magic to these instruments. Because of Clapton and other sixties blues/rock virtuoso guitarists, the prices for Gibson Les Pauls, ES-335's and SG's have gone through the roof. When a collector(probably not a player), bought the Fender Stratocaster played by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock he paid many tens of thousands of dollars for a $500.00 instrument. The result of this is that a lot of players have to spend a lot of money for a well made instrument, because of the inflation in certain brands of guitars brought about by these collectors. Leo Fender thought the quality of the Fender's he helped design years after he sold the Company to CBS were superior to his pre-CBS Fender's. A lot of the newer quitars have better developed soung qualities and will last and play longer than the antique instruments. If you enjoy playing and fall in love with your quitar, that's all that it takes.

PAX

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 12:16 PM

I had a metal, original, STAR WARS LUNCHBOX once. (No, I didn't "have a farm in Africa--at the foot of the Ngong hills.")

I put an unfinished "neck" of sorts on the lunch box.(Made out of un-rounded 1 X 2s) I wanted to show kids/students that folks could still make music from what they had around the house TODAY just like the pioneers might've done. Used 3 junk tuners and staples for frets (under the first string only). Inserted 'em with a regular office-type stapler. (If you get the wrong intonation, just pull em out and put 'em in again.) Left it looking rustic for better home-made effect. Did that in spite of danger--from slivers! I put a contact pickup inside (for ACOUSTIC sound quality) and plugged in into the PA that I used for school presentations of American folk songs. This home made DULCIMER (3-strings) went over real well for 22 years. More importantly, it made the intended point.

It now hangs on my wall in an honored spot--with my Julia Belle Swain engineers cap hanging from the tuners.

I'll never sell this even though friends tell me I can get huge amounts for it since it's an original "Star Wars electric dulcimer" that was once played for Ernie Banks' daughter!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Mudjack
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 02:58 PM

With a slight memory loss of where I read it, I read somewhere E. Clampton had regretably donated his favorite guitar to a charity auction and had a third party buy it back for him. Might this be the one? I can understand the goodwill spirit if that be the case, but no way would a fool part with his money for any other reason.
For Lonesome EJ, can we negotiate on that harp? I know a guy who has some longhandle underwear once owned by E.A.Poe he just bought and know along with that harp one could stand on a corner and make some real dough.BSeed offered up to a quater, I'll double that offer to $.50.(fifty cents).
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 05:21 PM

MJ you're not readin'......I already went a buck, but I might go even higher if it has a box.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Mudjack
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 05:42 PM

OK Spaw, You win, I'll likey find more crap in the long johns. The number four draw reed had me convinced it should sell for a lot more.But a buck is out of my budget. So I Iguess McMusic will have to just keep his EA Poe longhandles."Quote the Thought Nevermore"....
Mj

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: LEJ
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 06:16 PM

Sorry, guys. Just sold the A harp on e-Bay for $2.79. You snooze, you loose.

HOWEVER, I do have this sassy little D Blues Harp named Rhonda....

LEJ

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Barbara
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 07:00 PM

Leej, too bad it's gone. Dint you ever take yr Barlow pocketknife an' pry the cover off that harp, and then use it to scrape the gunk off the reeds? Then you jest push them little nails back into the wood, and it's mosly good as new. Thas what I did.
Other thing to remember is not to play the harp whilst eating yr egg salad sandwich.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: LEJ
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 07:39 PM

Bar- Now ya tell me!

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jun 99 - 10:04 PM

Hey...I'm still waiting for bids for the lefty Fender. I was hoping to do better than the soundhole or mudflaps.

Say I wonder what Matthew B. wants for that harp that went through a dog's plumbing???

catspaw

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Peter T.
Date: 27 Jun 99 - 11:41 AM

Art, can you play the Star Wars Theme on your lunchbox? ("I had a farm on Tattoine").
Yours, Peter T. P.S. I had a Roy Rogers lunchbox, and I once carried a frog in it to impress Jana Wegner (sigh) at lunch, which didn't work out, because Mr. Frisbie (curse his soul) confiscated the frog about 10:30. I am not sure my lunchbox would have made much of an instrument. Though I did get the overall idea from the Bugs Bunny cartoon about the singing frog.

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: Helen
Date: 28 Jun 99 - 03:16 AM

catspaw,

Surely you're not *that* anally fixated that you would play a caninely pre-plumbed harp. I mean, I know you'd put a possum's ass in your mouth and blow it, but that's just going too far.

Helen

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From:
Date: 28 Jun 99 - 07:57 AM

Gee Lonesome, I have never heard of a harp having a hole blocked like that. Er.. exactly how do you play it?

Roger. There are some Luthiers making copies of Leadbelly's Stella now. There is more info and pictures on the Leadbelly Page

Murray

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Jun 99 - 10:59 PM

Helen, have I ever mentioned how disconcerting it is that you seem to have my number?

Now how about some bids on that lefty, Fender Dreadnought? It HAS sat next to a stereo speaker when not only Eric Clapton, but also Woody, Cisco, Leadbelly, AND Art, Sandy, and Caroline have been playing!

catspaw

Subject: RE: Just bought a guitar for 450,000 bucks!
From:
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 05:09 AM

There is the belief that a good guitar will improve with playing. One idea for speeding up this process is to put the guitar near a source of vibration--like a loud speaker. There seems to be a lot of contraversy as to whether it works or not.

I don't like background music. When I listen to music, I like to listen to it, so I made my guitar wear earphones. That didn't seem to improve it any.

Murray