The Fool SG auction

barnstorm · October 2023

So the Fool is up for sale again, estimate $1-2m.

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/219560/

Coolest artist guitar in the catalogue, though, is:

Image: https://www.julienslive.com/images/lot/5983/598305_xl.jpg?ts=1696889729

OilCityPickups · October 2023

barnstorm said:

So the Fool is up for sale again, estimate $1-2m.
https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/219560/

Coolest artist guitar in the catalogue, though, is:

Bugger the 'Fool' ... that's the man himself' s V ... the 'King' of Chicago blues guitar and a genuine musical deity! That's cool beyond cool :-)

barnstorm · October 2023

Was a bit surprised at the estimate ($40-60k) given that Gruhn's was asking $130k a while back, but maybe that was wildly optimistic for any V that doesn't say 'Gibson' on the headstock.

OilCityPickups · October 2023

barnstorm said:

Was a bit surprised at the estimate ($40-60k) given that Gruhn's was asking $130k a while back, but maybe that was wildly optimistic for any V that doesn't say 'Gibson' on the headstock.

When you think of how many people Albert King influenced ... and how iconic his Vs were 60k is bargain basement. However I suppose it isn't the Dan Erlewine built 'Lucy' pictured centre below.

Image: https://i0.wp.com/www.vintageguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/01-KING-ALL-3.jpg?w=540&ssl=1

impmann · October 2023

Wasn't the Fool SG supposed to have been wrecked/worn out - and the repairs a little sketchy. Or is my memory playing tricks?

barnstorm · October 2023

impmann said:

Wasn't the Fool SG supposed to have been wrecked/worn out - and the repairs a little sketchy. Or is my memory playing tricks?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cv2RWFwZ0U

timmypix · October 2023

What caught my eye is this incredibly clean '59. Quite a hot neck pickup, too, for a PAF?

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/219662/GIBSON-1959-GIBSON-LES-PAUL-STANDARD-SUNBURST-ELECTRIC-GUITAR?url=/auctions/catalog/id/500

barnstorm · October 2023

Here are some pics of the original headstock, from when it was in the Met in New York:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/780402

I might be the only one, but I really don't like the way the guitar looks. Could understand a Clapton fan wanting to have it for its historical significance, but I'd hate to see it on my living room wall every day!

stickyfiddle · October 2023

barnstorm said:

Here are some pics of the original headstock, from when it was in the Met in New York:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/780402

I might be the only one, but I really don't like the way the guitar looks. Could understand a Clapton fan wanting to have it for its historical significance, but I'd hate to see it on my living room wall every day!

You've reminded me I still owe a thread from my Seattle jaunt - some goooood shit was seen in MoPop...

barnstorm · October 2023

timmypix said:

What caught my eye is this incredibly clean '59. Quite a hot neck pickup, too, for a PAF?

Looks like Mr Dealer heeded the warning, doesn't it! I wonder if you got a discount in those days for a nicely faded burst?!

Image: https://www.julienslive.com/images/lot/5971/597168_xl.jpg

willo · October 2023

timmypix said:

What caught my eye is this incredibly clean '59. Quite a hot neck pickup, too, for a PAF?

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/219662/GIBSON-1959-GIBSON-LES-PAUL-STANDARD-SUNBURST-ELECTRIC-GUITAR?url=/auctions/catalog/id/500

Amazing. It looks like they've just pulled a modern-day Standard off the racks of a guitar shop.

impmann · October 2023

Sod the bloody SG and yet another Les Paul... there is a truly incredible guitar in that auction, owned by one of the most incredible musicians ever - in fact it was his first decent guitar:

Image: https://www.julienslive.com/images/lot/5951/595187_xl.jpg?ts=1696889823

Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention Switchmaster!!! Complete with the mods the great man did to it.

The purist dullards will bitch and whine about it not being original, but this guitar was a tool - and in the original owner's hands was responsible for some of the most insane music ever.

*THAT* is an interesting guitar. Wish I had the money...

Offset · October 2023

timmypix said:

What caught my eye is this incredibly clean '59. Quite a hot neck pickup, too, for a PAF?

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/219662/GIBSON-1959-GIBSON-LES-PAUL-STANDARD-SUNBURST-ELECTRIC-GUITAR?url=/auctions/catalog/id/500

Not a big LP fan but blimey, that is in absolutely remarkable condition.

Philly_Q · October 2023

I find the Fool SG fascinating. It's interesting to hear Todd Rundgren's account of the repairs which had to be made, and when you look at it now compared with Clapton-era pictures, there have been a lot of modifications.

It's also interesting to see various copies which people have made. They look about right on first glance, but even on the Gibson reissues they really only approximated the details of the artwork.

CampbellH · October 2023

I can't believe Rick Nielson parted with a guitar.

CaseOfAce · October 2023

I love the minutaie of these kinda auctions.

They've got the '67 telecaster up for sale that Kirk Hammett used as his go-to to work out guitar parts on at their HQ. I just assumed he'd have some custom shop ESP or something to hand.

Philly_Q · October 2023

CampbellH said:

I can't believe Rick Nielson parted with a guitar.

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/211398/CHEAP-TRICK-RICK-NIELSEN-OWNED-AND-STAGE-PLAYED-1982-GIBSON-MODERNE-HERITAGE-SERIES-ELECTRIC-GUITAR?url=/auctions/catalog/id/500

Interesting crossover with another current thread too:

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/254674/i-bought-two-chibsons/p4

mudslide73 · October 2023

Dave Gregory played the solo on XTC's "That's Really Super, Supergirl" on the Fool SG apparently.

impmann · October 2023

mudslide73 said:

Dave Gregory played the solo on XTC's "That's Really Super, Supergirl" on the Fool SG apparently.

Yup, he did...

Image: https://i.redd.it/l492thiyuihb1.jpg

Philly_Q · October 2023

impmann said:

mudslide73 said:

Dave Gregory played the solo on XTC's "That's Really Super, Supergirl" on the Fool SG apparently.

Yup, he did...

Produced by Todd Rundgren, at a wild guess..?

StuartMac290 · October 2023

Philly_Q said:

impmann said:

mudslide73 said:

Dave Gregory played the solo on XTC's "That's Really Super, Supergirl" on the Fool SG apparently.

Yup, he did...

Produced by Todd Rundgren, at a wild guess..?

Indeed. They hated him.

ScreamingDave · October 2023

A nice SG vandalised!

rlw · October 2023

ScreamingDave said:

A nice SG vandalised!

A nice oxymoron in there.....

CampbellH · October 2023

Philly_Q said:

CampbellH said:

I can't believe Rick Nielson parted with a guitar.

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/211398/CHEAP-TRICK-RICK-NIELSEN-OWNED-AND-STAGE-PLAYED-1982-GIBSON-MODERNE-HERITAGE-SERIES-ELECTRIC-GUITAR?url=/auctions/catalog/id/500

Interesting crossover with another current thread too:

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/254674/i-bought-two-chibsons/p4

I noticed that, and if you got that near the starting bid that would be a nice catch. Although with the popularity of CT in the US I expect this guitar will got into the expected range.

DartmoorHedgehog · October 2023

OilCityPickups said:

Bugger the 'Fool' ...

Don't think Mr T ever put it quite that way

SteveRobinson · October 2023

timmypix said:

What caught my eye is this incredibly clean '59. Quite a hot neck pickup, too, for a PAF?

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/219662/GIBSON-1959-GIBSON-LES-PAUL-STANDARD-SUNBURST-ELECTRIC-GUITAR?url=/auctions/catalog/id/500

Neck pickup output: 9.18K Ohms
Bridge Pickup output: 7.37k Ohms

You'd surely have to swap them over if you bought it? Maybe a magnet change too.

Philly_Q · October 2023

SteveRobinson said:

timmypix said:

What caught my eye is this incredibly clean '59. Quite a hot neck pickup, too, for a PAF?

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/219662/GIBSON-1959-GIBSON-LES-PAUL-STANDARD-SUNBURST-ELECTRIC-GUITAR?url=/auctions/catalog/id/500

Neck pickup output: 9.18K Ohms
Bridge Pickup output: 7.37k Ohms
You'd surely have to swap them over if you bought it? Maybe a magnet change too.

Yep, I'll be doing that first thing after I buy it.

Boromedic · October 2023

SteveRobinson said:

timmypix said:

What caught my eye is this incredibly clean '59. Quite a hot neck pickup, too, for a PAF?

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/500/lot/219662/GIBSON-1959-GIBSON-LES-PAUL-STANDARD-SUNBURST-ELECTRIC-GUITAR?url=/auctions/catalog/id/500

Neck pickup output: 9.18K Ohms
Bridge Pickup output: 7.37k Ohms
You'd surely have to swap them over if you bought it? Maybe a magnet change too.

Pages burst has a hot neck pickup too, if you notice on pics it's wound right down flush with the pickup ring. I actually prefer it, that's how my Standard is, when I got new pickups in it, I deliberately went with an overwound PAF in the neck and a t-top in the bridge, a la How The West Was Won. Some great neck tones and in-between sounds when it's like that, despite perceived wisdom that it's not how it should be.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

The Fool SG auction

Comments

My head said brake, but my heart cried never.