
Remember when we reported on George Harrison's Bartell fretless guitar showing up on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow in the hands of its current owner back in March? Well, it's now been sold at auction and it turns out the programme's valuation fell somewhat short.
A UK session musician called Ray Russell had recorded sessions for soundtrack to the Handmade Films production Water around 1984. The film company was co-founded by George Harrison, and the late Beatle had asked him to play the guitar in the sessions. The Beatle ended up gifting it to him.
In the episode it was claimed Bartell's owner gave one to John Lennon and one to Jimi Hendrix. Presumably, Lennon passed his to Harrison.
Antiques Roadshow expert Jon Baddeley valued the guitar at between £300,000 and £400,000, he said: "I think in 25 years it's by far the most expensive thing I've ever seen."
Ian Curtis's Joy Division Vox Phantom VI Special guitar is up for auction
The circa 1967 guitar has now sold for £237,562 (approx $308, 795) at a Bonham's auction. The same auction also saw late Joy Division front man Ian Curtis’ Vox Phantom VI Special sell for £162,563 (approx. $209,731), exceeding its estimate of £60,000-£80,000.
For more information, visit Bonhams
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Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.
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