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Neal Schon Guitar Auction closing July 31st

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Bill_Graham
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I know there are some guitar player here so thought you all might like some guitar porn to dream about.

Break into the piggy bank as Neal Schon is cleaning out his closets and selling 112 vintage guitars at Heritage Auctions ending July 31st

https://www.ha.com/c/search-results.zx?N=3189+793+794+791+792+2088+4294940940?ic?ic=ih-clickButton-neal-schon-viewItem-7251-050421

There is also an article in the new August 2021 issue of Vintage Guitar magazine, w/ Ray Benson on the cover, that just showed up in my mailbox today with an interview with Schon where he states he has a collection of over 800 guitars in his 15,000 sqft storage facility so it was time to thin the herd. Some really beautiful old Gibson's and Fenders so bid high and bid often. Starry Eyes  

Wish I had some play money laying around as there are some really beautiful guitars with very reasonable opening bids. Of course who knows what they will got for but I have to believe there may be a bargain or two with so many up for auction.

This topic was modified 3 years ago 2 times by Bill_Graham
 
Posted : July 20, 2021 2:55 pm
robertdee
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The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top ( bidding starts at $36,000.00) and the 1959 Blonde Fender Stratocaster (opening bid must be $40,000.00) are the two I would pick off the top. A couple of those Teles look good. And several of the Les Pauls would look fantastic in my living room. 

Wow Bill. This IS guitar porn! What prices. Like trying to afford having Stormy Daniels come by for the evening!!! Woo Woo. 

Anyone know how Gregg Allman ended up with an unfinished Neal Schon and Johnathan Caine song? Gregg finished it and it was Temptation Was A Gun on Where It All Begins (1994)? Gregg, Neal and Johnathan split the writing credit three ways. 

 
Posted : July 20, 2021 3:27 pm
Bill_Graham
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Yeah some expensive guitars and too rich for my blood but if they are not bid up too high they may actually be under current market value.

There are some vintage l  Gibson Bydlands and ES -175's with around $6K starting bids which would be good deals if the bidding does not go to high.

Love this Byrdland Natural

https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/vintage-guitars-and-musical-instruments/1959-gibson-byrdland-natural-archtop-electric-guitar-serial-a29464/a/7251-38022.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

Also some nice early to mid 60's preCBS Strats starting at <10K

 
Posted : July 20, 2021 4:21 pm
robertdee
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@bill_graham Are these guitars that pricey because Neal Schon owns them? Of course many Gibson and Fender guitars from the 1950's and 60's are expensive. 

I saw Journey a couple of times and they were tight and professional. I only remember Neal Schon playing a black Les Paul and a white Stratocaster on Lights In The City and a couple of other songs but mostly the black Les Paul. 

But two shows out of hundreds can't prove anything so maybe he did actually use many of those guitars in Journey at one time or another. Or Bad English. He can play. Seems to know all the cords. 

 
Posted : July 20, 2021 5:09 pm
Bill_Graham
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@robertdee  I think some are but some of the other rarer one  are just about market price I think. The 59 Les Paul's are about right and the 1950's No Caster blackguards and Strats are going for about what the market would charge or a little less but may get bid up.

The condition is important for these old vintage guitars and many of the ones that are the higher prices are in excellent shape which increases value.

Schon stated in the Vintage Guitar article that some of the more rare ones are in pristine condition to the point he felt they were museum quality and was a reluctant to play them or change anything on them, like pickups, for fear of messing them up.

He stated one of the 59 Les Paul's and early 50's Blackguard Tele's are in perfect condition so I am betting they are the ones with the highest opening bids.

I am far from an expert on what vintage guitars are going for these days but love looking at the old stuff in auctions and for sale on line so that is what I am basing my opinions on. maybe some of the other posters into old guitars can chime in.

 
Posted : July 20, 2021 5:43 pm
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$200,00 for a Norlin era (1977) Les Paul - only because it was played on those hits by Schon.  

If I sold everything I've got I might have enough for the opening bid on one of those ES-175s! 

Lot's of amazing guitars!  I guess Journey was a pretty good gig! 

 
Posted : July 20, 2021 7:37 pm
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Bill_Graham
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@rusty Lol,  same here Rusty. If I sold my 2000 LP Raw Power and 1987 ESP Mirage Custom neckthrough, both in nrmint condition, I would still need to sell my clean 1975 Fender Deluxe Reverb Silver Face amp and might have enough to bid on on of those ES175's

 
Posted : July 20, 2021 7:54 pm
Rusty
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@bill_graham For all practical purposes, I'd just as soon have my (much smaller) collection of later model guitars - all seasoned, set-up and play just fine -than a single antique that I'd be afraid to take out of the safe.  My oldest guitar is a 1974 Alvarez (D-28 "law suit" model?) that was designed by Kazuo Yari before Alavarez launched the Yari line.  Most all of my others are from the late 80s and early 90s. I have one or two that are younger than that.  None are mojoed relics but all play and sound wonderful.  If I wanted one of Neil's guitars, I'd have to sell them all and then take a bank loan.  I'm happy where I am.  😉 

 
Posted : July 21, 2021 9:38 am
RCgp2020
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Well that was interesting to say the least.

I reminds me of window shopping for Christmas gift for the Rich and Famous.

Like many of us If I had money just laying around with nothin to do I'd buy a few and put them in a glass case for display, but that's not my reality and I'm sure there are only a select few who are in that group.

I'm glad companies like Heritage are around to help preserve these great instruments so that someone can purchase them and keep their legacy around.

Thanks @bill_graham for posting, as I was not aware this was occurring...

 
Posted : July 21, 2021 10:13 am
Rusty
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@rcgp2020 I hear what you're saying, but in my opinion guitars should be played - not kept as house pets or wall-hangings.  I know an industry type - a promoter who is on the Grammy voting committee.  He has several vintage beauties on the walls of his home an office.  He don't play a lick.  Meanwhile, there are deserving and bona-fide players out there relegated to later model MIM Fenders, Squires and Epiphones.  I find it a shame that such craftsmanship becomes an objet d'art bound for the highest bidder.  What kind of couch goes best with a 57 Les Paul?

 
Posted : July 21, 2021 11:10 am
bird72
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I just don't see a huge adder for the Journey tie in.  Thinking of commercial display potential like nightclubs and such.  A die hard Journey fan / musician might pay a good adder over retail.   It is a pretty awesome collection to pick from on a vintage guitar basis.  Looks like pricing begins at retail, so not a lot of loss potential for seller.  Some real eye candy and if bucks are abundant in your world, a heck of a cream of the crop buying field.  wow.

 
Posted : July 21, 2021 11:25 am
RCgp2020
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Good point @rusty...I have to agree with you.. Thanks for pointing that out!!

 
Posted : July 21, 2021 11:53 am
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