Heading: What’s the Rarest Guitar a Collector Has Ever Come Across?
Introduction:
For guitar collectors, finding rare guitars is like striking gold. There are many unique guitars out there that have an interesting backstory or incredibly scarce production quantity. But, what is the rarest guitar that a collector has ever come across? Let’s dive into some of the rarest and most extraordinary guitars that have ever been found.
Heading: The ‘Black Beauty’ Les Paul Custom
The Black Beauty Les Paul Custom was first released in the late 1950s and is known for its striking black ebony finish, gold hardware, and three humbucker pickups. However, the rarest version of this iconic guitar is one that was made in the early 1950s, featuring a solid white finish and two P-90 pickups. Only a handful of these original white Les Paul Customs were ever made, making them incredibly rare and valuable.
One of these original white Les Paul Customs was discovered by a collector in an old barn in the 1980s. The guitar had been locked away and forgotten for decades, and when the collector found it, it was covered in dust and cobwebs. After some restoration, the guitar was sold at auction for over $100,000, making it one of the most valuable and sought-after guitars in the world.
Heading: The Gibson ‘Futura’
The Gibson Futura was a guitar prototype that was released in the late 1950s, with only a handful of models ever produced. The guitar featured a unique body shape that was a precursor to the iconic Gibson Explorer and Flying V models that would come later. However, due to poor sales and lukewarm reception from guitarists of the time, the Gibson Futura was quickly discontinued.
Today, only a few original Gibson Futura guitars remain. In the early 2000s, a collector discovered one of these original models in a pawn shop in New Jersey. The guitar was in rough shape, but after some restoration, it was sold at auction for over $250,000.
Heading: The ‘White Falbo’
The White Falbo is a unique guitar that was designed by luthier John Falbo. The guitar features a headless design, with a body made of carbon fiber and a neck made of wood and graphite. The guitar also features a unique tuning system that allows the player to change tuning quickly and easily.
Only a handful of White Falbo guitars were ever produced, with the rarest version being a white model that was made for virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai. This guitar features custom artwork and was played by Vai on tour for several years.
Recently, a collector was able to purchase one of these rare White Falbo guitars at auction for over $50,000, making it one of the most valuable and sought-after guitars in the world.
Heading: The ‘Greenie’ Les Paul
The Greenie Les Paul is a guitar that was famously played by blues guitarist Peter Green in the late 1960s. The guitar is a 1959 Les Paul that was refinished in a unique lime green color, giving it its distinctive name.
The Greenie Les Paul is famous for its tone, which is considered by many to be one of the best Les Paul tones ever recorded. The guitar was played by Green on several classic Fleetwood Mac albums, including Then Play On and Kiln House.
Today, the Greenie Les Paul is owned by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, who purchased the guitar in the early 1990s for an undisclosed sum. The guitar is now one of the most valuable guitars in the world, with an estimated value of over $1 million.
Conclusion:
Guitar collectors are always on the hunt for rare and unique guitars, and these guitars are among the rarest and most valuable guitars in the world. From the White Falbo to the Greenie Les Paul, these guitars showcase the incredible craftsmanship and innovation that has gone into guitar design over the years. Whether you’re a collector or just a guitar aficionado, these guitars are sure to inspire and amaze.
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