We are very excited about our May 9th Signature Auction #7313. This auction features instruments from The Guitar Shop Collection, which consists of over 500 instruments that will be offered throughout 2023.
The collection was assembled by Steve and Lynda Spellman, who took over the Washington DC landmark in the late 60s. During their 50+ years of operating their store, they were able to put away some very rare and collectible guitars.
One of my favorites from the collection is the 1965 Fender Precision Bass in the rare, custom color Metallic Ice Blue. (Featured image)
If the traditional Sunburst is more your style, the collection has early Fender basses that check that box too!
Of course, the 1952 Les Paul Gold Top and the 1955 Gibson Les Paul Custom are must-see, feel-and-play guitars, but the 1924 Gibson Loyd Loar L-5 might steal the show.
It is a guitar that people hear about but rarely get to hold. The inside label is clearly signed by Loyd Loar and dated Nov. 17th, 1924. Excited yet? I have not even mentioned its condition! At nearly 100 years old, this guitar presents itself as new. It is mind-boggling how clean and crack-free the guitar is. To say the least, the guitar has been well cared for.
It does, however, have some stiff competition. We have a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Custom and a 1969 Martin D-45. The D-45, again, is in spectacular condition!
Our Celebrity and Signed session has a few heavy hitters; for example, we are offering Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Guild 12-string used during the MTV Unplugged performance. This guitar doubles as a John Sebastian guitar as well.
The guitar’s physical features can be matched to the live MTV performance by SRV. Not only that, but John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful also used this guitar on John Sebastian and Arlen Roth Explore the Spoonful Songbook. It comes with a handwritten letter from John Sebastian. “This 1969 Guild F-412 sounds this way because it belonged to Studio Instrument Rentals, where it played for any player needing a 12-string in New York City for fifty years. It’s huge, loud, and scares cats. Pretty much what this model is famous for.”
Heritage Auctions will also offer Graham Nash’s Martin D-35 gifted to Phil Hartman.
That’s right. Before he became a comedy great, he designed album art and designs. He created the Crosby, Stills, and Nash logo, and for that, Graham Nash gifted him his personal D-35. We will be attending the Dallas International Guitar Festival on May 5th, 6th, and 7th. Come by our booth (you can’t miss it!) and see some fantastic guitars!
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