| Used Gibson guitars can fetch a whopping return | | | | Derringer stated that after the instrument was |
| on investment, especially if it happened to be | | | | refinished, it "just didn't feel the same... it had |
| played at the infamous Rooftop Beatles Concert | | | | changed into an altogether different guitar." |
| and owned by George Harrison. Take for | | | | Additionally, according to experts, George's 'Lucy,' |
| instance, George's crimson red 1957 Les Paul | | | | cite that the style and typeface of the serial |
| Standard - renamed 'Lucy' by Harrison after the | | | | number do not match other instruments of the |
| redheaded comedian, Lucille Ball. Originally, given to | | | | same vintage. Furthermore, several years after |
| him as a gift from Eric Clapton in August 1968, | | | | Clapton gave the guitar to Harrison, John |
| the guitar made auction history when Christies | | | | Sebastian is photographed in a 1971 picture holding |
| sold it for $567,500 in December 2004. | | | | the Goldtop! Apparently, whatever the |
| Clapton had purchased the used Gibson guitar at | | | | provenance of George's used Gibson guitar really |
| Dan Armstrong's guitar shop in New York City. | | | | is, its value to him, and later on to auctioneers, did |
| George played his Lucy for much of the Get | | | | not diminish, as demonstrated in the burglary and |
| Back sessions - better known as the Let it Be | | | | kidnapping story of 'Lucy' to follow. |
| Rooftop Beatles Concert which would prove to | | | | In the early 1970s, the infamous used Gibson |
| be their last live concert as a group. During these | | | | guitar was stolen from Harrison's home in Beverly |
| sessions, George played his used Gibson electric | | | | Hills, where it is reported to have been kept under |
| crimson guitar, for songs which were eventually | | | | the rock legend's bed. Sometime thereafter, it |
| compiled for Abbey Road, the Beatles (White | | | | ended up for sale at the Guitar Center in |
| Album), and notably in solos such as "Not Guilty" | | | | Hollywood, where it was sold for $650! Sometime |
| and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Additionally, | | | | after returning to his native Mexico, the |
| 'Lucy' was played in the promotional video for | | | | purchaser, also a musician, was contacted by a |
| "Revolution." | | | | Harrison representative, requesting that the guitar |
| However, the provenance of Harrison's 'Lucy' is | | | | be returned to Harrison - 'Lucy's' rightful owner. |
| not as neat as first presented. Prior to Clapton | | | | Shortly after the release of Let It Be - the last |
| acquiring the guitar, it passed through the hands | | | | live rooftop Beatles concert, the crimson guitar |
| of the Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian and then | | | | was returned to Harrison, but only after the |
| Rick Derringer. Derringer claims that he had it | | | | kidnapper was rewarded with a '58 sunburst Les |
| refinished at Gibson's Kalamazoo factory. So, here | | | | Paul and a Precision bass. George, commenting on |
| comes the catch; Derringer claims that the guitar | | | | this very distressing experience stated, ['Lucy'] |
| he sent off to Gibson's was a late-'50s Les Paul | | | | "got kidnapped and taken to Guadalajara and I |
| Goldtop. According to factory records, the serial | | | | had to buy this Mexican guy a Les Paul to get it |
| number on the rear of the instrument's headstock | | | | back." George's beloved Gibson used guitar |
| #7-8789 does indeed correspond with the | | | | remained in his collection until his premature death |
| Goldtop that was shipped from the factory in | | | | from cancer in 2001. She was one of several |
| December 1957. Perhaps not so coincidentally, | | | | Gibson guitars that Harrison owned. |