Ultimate Rhoads

On the way to a Guitar lesson in London (receiving one, not giving one) I got a text from my mate Simon, from the Gibson forum saying Roger, who we stayed with in the Summer (did a thread about it a while back) was friends with the people doing a London guitar auction. Anyway included in this auction was a Gibson 1959 Les Paul. The best bit was because Roger's knew the organisers, we were welcome to try anything we wanted!

Roger filmed the auction live for his internet site...

Anyway it was freekin brilliant I got my dream wish to actually play a 1959 Gibson Les Paul. It was estimated to go for £100000-£150000. It played like a ringing bell...beautiful!

The Holy Grail of electric guitars!


Played a Daniel Frederich Classical that was estimated at £8000-£10000, a truly amazing instrument!! Among these acoustics were 19th century Parlur guitars and rare luthier made Classical and Flamenco guitars.


This wall contained a host of mouth wateringly rare Fenders. Grestch's and Gibson and USA Epiphones from the 50's. Rare and expnsive!








A 1963 Start and The 'Holy Grail'





The Hofner guitars below, despite being 50's and 60's models, just are not collectible the way Gibson and Fender guitars are. hesne price tags c.£400

The guitars look stunning, how many were celeb' owned?

Hi Ian

The only one I saw that was, was a guitar owned by the guitarist from the band Texas. The estimate on it was only about £800

Bidding got to £94000 on the 59 Les Paul and halted, as it didn't reach the reserve. The rumor was bidding continued in private.

Having now played the legendary 59 I can honestly say that I haven't played a guitar quite like it. The only Les Paul that seemed to have the same 'acoustic' qualities was one made by the English luthier Morgan.

Matt

Matt it has always been a question i have wanted to ask. With electric guitars how is the sound better on an old vintage guitar. I can understand how acoustic classical guitars have a non amplified sound with the sound just bouncing about in the hollow of the guitar. But electrics have pick ups which too me is questionable to what the strings are attached too. OK if it was a three wood type body with a maple neck. How does this differ the sound ?. Do you get what i'm trying to say.

Some great looking guitars there Matt cheers
That cresent blue moon farting shaped guitar ? whats that all about bloody horrible.

Hi Shaun

Good questions. Well like a good classical, a well made electric changes over time. The guitar gets 'broken in' and matures like a good quality wine.

There are quite noticeable differences with tone, depending on the construction of the guitar. This can only be really heard clearly when the guitar is played 'clean' and various guitars are compared. The pick ups only amplify the sound which already there. So a cheaply made guitar with Gibson pick ups will still sound like a cheaply made guitar.

A bit like having an excellent amp for your high fi but a cheap £20 CD player.

When people argue the merits of say a custom being better than a studio for instance (as a rock guitar), the sound is so saturated when distorted, any charm of the guitar is lost in the excessive use of distortion. So it wouldn't matter sound wise which one you played, as the character is lost. Some people will not agree with this, but it is widely thought by many including moi LOL

I appreciate the feel of the guitar inspires people to play better of course though.

With the 59 Les Paul, the guitar I suppose was made with greater care (or that is the idea) because they were not mass produced like they are now . Additionally they had Brazilian Rose wood on the finger wood which wasn't used as a common feature later on.

There is a mystique/emperors clothes element that feeds the myth too. It is the fact it is such an iconic symbol of popular culture.

Matt

i spotted a Brian May guitar

Hi Robin,

Yes they had one of the older models for auction. It wasn't an expensive guitar though; around £500 new, so the estimate was £300 for the auction.

What well trained eyes you have Mr Stiltskin

Matt

I am jealous.