Bob Dylan's iconic guitar fetches fortune

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Bob Dylan's iconic guitar fetches fortune

file photo

NEW YORK: -- A guitar once owned by music legend Bob Dylan fetched $965,000 Friday at Christie's, setting a new world auction record for any guitar, according to a statement from the auction house. The selling price of the guitar almost doubled the estimated range, according to Christie's.

The 1964 Fender Stratocaster, along with five song lyrics left on a private jet by the songwriter and his band in the months after the Rhode Island festival, were on a special sale of Dylan material in New York.

The guitar and lyrics, which were found in the guitar case, were authenticated and put up for sale by the daughter of Vic Quinto, a New Jersey-based commercial pilot who had been hired by Dylan's manager to fly his crew. In 2011, the daughter of the plane's pilot submitted the items to the PBS show "History Detectives" for authentication, according to the statement from Christie's.

Dylan had claimed ownership of the guitar in 2012 and was involved in a legal dispute with Quinto's daughter, Dawn Peterson. Christie's said the ownership dispute had been settled.

"Dylan's representatives were aware of the auction and did not contest it," a spokesperson for Christie's said.
An absentee bidder bought the guitar with a classic sunburst finish, its original case and black leather guitar strap.

"A tremendous amount of international interest was generated at the time of the sale's announcement, and today's result justifies the mythic status of this guitar in the annals of music history," said Tom Lecky, Christie's specialist and the sale's auctioneer.

Dylan, now 72, played the electric guitar in his famous performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, during which he was backed by an electric band for the first time, according to the statement. He was 24 years.

Full story: http://voiceofrussia.com/2013_12_07/Bob-Dylans-iconic-guitar-fetches-fortune-5963/

-- THE VOICE OF RUSSIA 2013-12-07

[boomerangutang]

I used to have a '64 Fender Stratocaster, natural blond wood color. The one I have now, is a Strat copy, and looks identical to the one in the photo. Dylan is still alive and already his stuff is selling for astronomical prices.

[Dararasmi]

I used to have a '64 Fender Stratocaster, natural blond wood color. The one I have now, is a Strat copy, and looks identical to the one in the photo. Dylan is still alive and already his stuff is selling for astronomical prices.

It must have had its finish stripped. Natural wasn't offered as a factory finish until years later.

[Emdog]

So did Dylan collect insurance claim on that back when it went missing? Would like to know the details of the settlement, after they went to great lengths to prove it wasn't theirs, but Dylan's or perhaps his insurance company's?

[jimmybcool]

I would be surprised if that was actually the highest price ever paid for a famous guitar. But can't be bothered to google to find out. Especially since Dylan was far more song writer than guitar legend. I could see Stevie Ray Vaughan #1 going for far more, or Pages double neck or several of his well known instruments. Heck, a Yamaha he played while traveling around with a video and his signature sold for $13,000 at auction in Pattaya last year. So imagine one of his old Led Zeppelin touring instruments. I suspect a few million.

But maybe I'm wrong. Anyway cool story.

[Tywais]

I would be surprised if that was actually the highest price ever paid for a famous guitar.

Jimi Hendrix's 1968 Strat - $2,000,000

Bob Marley - 1.2 Million

Most expensive but not famous - 2.7 Million Fender Strat auctioned for tsunami victims.

http://www.therichest.com/luxury/most-expensive/the-top-10-most-expensive-guitars-in-the-world/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9131748/The-10-most-expensive-guitars-ever-sold-in-pictures.html?frame=2162614

[jimmybcool]

I would be surprised if that was actually the highest price ever paid for a famous guitar.

Jimi Hendrix's 1968 Strat - $2,000,000

Bob Marley - 1.2 Million

Most expensive but not famous - 2.7 Million Fender Strat auctioned for tsunami victims.

http://www.therichest.com/luxury/most-expensive/the-top-10-most-expensive-guitars-in-the-world/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9131748/The-10-most-expensive-guitars-ever-sold-in-pictures.html?frame=2162614

'm surprised Blackie didnt sell for more.

[F430murci]

The most expensive would be Page's 1960 black triple humbucker Les Paul that got stolen. I imagine he would pay whatever was asked to own that guitar again.

RE: Boomerangutang's guitar

Not uncommon for older pre-CBS strats to be stripped to natural. Growing up in the 80s, guitars with jacked up finishes were undesirable and heavily discounted. Stripping to natural finish just made it more desirable to some 30 years ago.

All of these Fender custom shop relic'ed guitars blows me away. People pay for ugly guitars now so stripping is no longer the norm.

Edited December 8, 2013 by F430murci

[MAJIC]

So did Dylan collect insurance claim on that back when it went missing? Would like to know the details of the settlement, after they went to great lengths to prove it wasn't theirs, but Dylan's or perhaps his insurance company's?

You can bet your life he didn't lose out,on the guitar deal. Much as I like Dylan,songs: about walking down route 66 without a dime in my pocket,so why don't you be happy with nothing,just like me man,or something like that, are purely fiction for the fans.

Dylan built up massive wealth including property and large Ranches, and most of it while singing about the benefits of being poor,which he certainly wasn't .

Edited December 8, 2013 by MAJIC

[jimmybcool]

The most expensive would be Page's 1960 black triple humbucker Les Paul that got stolen. I imagine he would pay whatever was asked to own that guitar again.

RE: Boomerangutang's guitar

Not uncommon for older pre-CBS strats to be stripped to natural. Growing up in the 80s, guitars with jacked up finishes were undesirable and heavily discounted. Stripping to natural finish just made it more desirable to some 30 years ago.

All of these Fender custom shop relic'ed guitars blows me away. People pay for ugly guitars now so stripping is no longer the norm.

I don't judge other peoples taste. If they like relic OK by me. But not my cup of tea either.

[atyclb]

Can get a non famous 64' strat for 10 - 35,000 usd.

Even you pay 10 million for hendrix guitar chances are you'll never play like him although playing like dylan is not too hard.

[Kilgore Trout]

I would be surprised if that was actually the highest price ever paid for a famous guitar.  But can't be bothered to google to find out.  Especially since Dylan was far more song writer than guitar legend.  I could see Stevie Ray Vaughan #1 going for far more, or Pages double neck or several of his well known instruments.   Heck, a Yamaha he played while traveling around with a video and his signature sold for $13,000 at auction in Pattaya last year.  So imagine one of his old Led Zeppelin touring instruments.  I suspect a few million.

 

But maybe I'm wrong.  Anyway cool story.

 

 

 

 

This beats Jerry Garcia's tiger guitar which used to be the highest price sold

Now sits in some ceo's office; Jerry is rolling in his grave....

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jimmybcool]

I would be surprised if that was actually the highest price ever paid for a famous guitar. But can't be bothered to google to find out. Especially since Dylan was far more song writer than guitar legend. I could see Stevie Ray Vaughan #1 going for far more, or Pages double neck or several of his well known instruments. Heck, a Yamaha he played while traveling around with a video and his signature sold for $13,000 at auction in Pattaya last year. So imagine one of his old Led Zeppelin touring instruments. I suspect a few million.

But maybe I'm wrong. Anyway cool story.

This beats Jerry Garcia's tiger guitar which used to be the highest price sold

Now sits in some ceo's office; Jerry is rolling in his grave....

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I don't think it bothers guys like Jerry that his tools are considered holy relics. He won't be bothered at all IMO.

On question above regarding non-famous 60s strats - sure they are less expensive. Heck no need to go that high. For between $1000 - $3000 you can buy a new guitar built better most likely en every way from Fender or a variety of boutique luthiers. Modern technology builds to tighter tolerances and if you go high end they use parts every bit as good as the 60s. IMO.

I have a 2007 Custom shop Strat and feel no need to buy someth else to sound or play better. That would require more practice.

[Kilgore Trout]

I would be surprised if that was actually the highest price ever paid for a famous guitar. But can't be bothered to google to find out. Especially since Dylan was far more song writer than guitar legend. I could see Stevie Ray Vaughan #1 going for far more, or Pages double neck or several of his well known instruments. Heck, a Yamaha he played while traveling around with a video and his signature sold for $13,000 at auction in Pattaya last year. So imagine one of his old Led Zeppelin touring instruments. I suspect a few million.

But maybe I'm wrong. Anyway cool story.

This beats Jerry Garcia's tiger guitar which used to be the highest price sold

Now sits in some ceo's office; Jerry is rolling in his grave....

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I don't think it bothers guys like Jerry that his tools are considered holy relics. He won't be bothered at all IMO.

On question above regarding non-famous 60s strats - sure they are less expensive. Heck no need to go that high. For between $1000 - $3000 you can buy a new guitar built better most likely en every way from Fender or a variety of boutique luthiers. Modern technology builds to tighter tolerances and if you go high end they use parts every bit as good as the 60s. IMO.

I have a 2007 Custom shop Strat and feel no need to buy someth else to sound or play better. That would require more practice.

I don't think he is bothered that it is a holy relic; I think he would be bothered that some super rich yuppie has it on his wall and noodles on it during his lunch break.

He had originally left it to the guy who made it; the rest of the band sued to get it back and lost. The luthier turned around and sold it for close to a cool mil.

[jimmybcool]

Sad to hear about the conflict over ownership of it. can't say I'm surprised that the eventual owner sold it for a cool mil. I would too. Whatever. His music lives on and a guitar is just a guitar. It's the player that made it special.

[boomerangutang]

I used to deal in vintage Levis. I was standing in a cross-Pacific plane once, talking to a Japanese vintage Levis millionaire dealer. He said to me in a hushed tone: "I'm wearing red-line right now." Translated: he was wearing old vintage Levis jeans which had a small stock red bordered seam sewn inside the pants legs. It gave him a thrill, even though no once could see the seam.

It's like the guitar. On its own, it's just some pieces of wood and wire made loud with amplification. However, knowing Dylan strummed it makes it way cool. ....for some folks, not so much for me personally.

Also in Japan: I took a white guitar out of a display case and strummed it for a few minutes, (and later got reprimanded by the store staff). It had a brass label which said it belonged to Johnny Winter. BTW, the 'action' was crappy. But I love J. Winter.

[UncleJ]

When the time comes, Paul Mcartneys bass guitar will break all the records. Jimmy Pages double neck stairway guitar will be right up there too.

[boomerangutang]

When the time comes, Paul Mcartneys bass guitar will break all the records. Jimmy Pages double neck stairway guitar will be right up there too.

Maybe so, but Elvis is 'King' and Jimi is 'The Wizard' so any of their paraphanalia will garner bigger bucks than those skinny little guys from the imperialist old country.

[F430murci]

I would be surprised if that was actually the highest price ever paid for a famous guitar. But can't be bothered to google to find out. Especially since Dylan was far more song writer than guitar legend. I could see Stevie Ray Vaughan #1 going for far more, or Pages double neck or several of his well known instruments. Heck, a Yamaha he played while traveling around with a video and his signature sold for $13,000 at auction in Pattaya last year. So imagine one of his old Led Zeppelin touring instruments. I suspect a few million.

But maybe I'm wrong. Anyway cool story.

This beats Jerry Garcia's tiger guitar which used to be the highest price sold

Now sits in some ceo's office; Jerry is rolling in his grave....

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I don't think it bothers guys like Jerry that his tools are considered holy relics. He won't be bothered at all IMO.

On question above regarding non-famous 60s strats - sure they are less expensive. Heck no need to go that high. For between $1000 - $3000 you can buy a new guitar built better most likely en every way from Fender or a variety of boutique luthiers. Modern technology builds to tighter tolerances and if you go high end they use parts every bit as good as the 60s. IMO.

I have a 2007 Custom shop Strat and feel no need to buy someth else to sound or play better. That would require more practice.

True that. I have a 2005 Deluxe (Candy Tangerine) HSS and a 1997 Custom Shop (Sea Foam Green) with the heavy birds eye maple they used on this series. Both play and sound better than anything pre 1997 (production and circuitry changes early 1997).

I have played many custom shop and Masterbuilt relic or Artist series guitars (Mayer, Gaalegher, Beck) and none of them completely blew me away except Gllagher 61 I believe it was.

One of my close friends, Mike Lawler, has a studio in house with all the great years. He has a 59 Les Paul, 60 Les Paul, various strats from the holly grail years 1955 to 1962, Marshall Plexis and etc. With the exception of the two Les Pauls through a Plexi with original and not reconed speakers, I prefer the newer stuff. That combo, however, makes you feel like a Rock God, albeit a deaf one, just hitting an E chord.

Edited December 10, 2013 by F430murci