A rare 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst Solid Body Electric Guitar, serial #0 1494, produced during the last year — and arguably the best year — of famed Gibson “Bursts,” brought $134,500 during Heritage Auction’s Musical Instruments Signature® Auction held April 20 in conjunction with the Dallas International Guitar Festival. The auction realized $1.13+ million across numerous lots of acoustic and electric guitars and amplifiers, among others.
“We work hard to offer exemplary instruments to passionate collectors and the auction results prove it,” said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Entertainment. “Online bidders zeroed in on the 1960 Gibson but it was ultimately a floor bidder who won the right to take it home.”
A rarely auctioned 1941 Martin D-45 Natural Acoustic Guitar, serial #78882, a must-have for players and collectors and restored to its original glory, sold for $110,500.
Electric guitars remained the cornerstone of the auction as a 1959 Gibson ES-335 Natural Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, serial #A29051, realized $37,500 and while a 1959 Gibson ES-335 Cherry Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, serial #A31602, brought $35,000. Small Faces and Humble Pie guitarist and vocalist Steve Marriott’s personal 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Solid Body Electric Guitar, serial #7-8756, crossed the block accompanied by a photo of Marriott playing the guitar with Humble Pie, to realize $31,250.
A 1952 Fender Telecaster and matching 1955 Fender Champ amplifier, both offered in excellent condition, were purchased together and subsequently sold together 61 years later to the tune of $33,750.