An early Beatles guitar played by George Harrison has surpassed estimates to auction for over £1 million in Nashville this week.
The Resonet Futurama was Harrison’s “workhorse” guitar as the Beatles forged their sound in Liverpool and Hamburg.
After he moved on to better instruments, Harrison gave the guitar to journalist Sean O’Mahony, who offered it to readers of Beats Instrumental magazine as a competition prize. The winner turned it down and accepted cash instead.
This week, the Czech-made guitar wound up on sale in Nashville with Julien’s.
Although it carried a $600,000 to $800,000 estimate, Julien’s had said before the sale they expected it to go for more than $1 million.
They were right, and a buyer paid $1.2 million for the six string.
“George Harrison’s iconic Futurama guitar, one of the most important guitars in rock and roll history and formative to The Beatles’ sound, has made history at today’s auction,” said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions.
“We’re beyond thrilled to add this Harrison guitar to the Julien’s Auctions’ million-dollar club, which already includes guitars from John Lennon, Eric Clapton, and Kurt Cobain.”
Selmer’s of London were keen to promote Harrison’s link to the Futurama, but he bought it because so few Fender Stratocasters, played by Buddy Holly, were available in the UK.
That’s just over £1 million, and makes the Futurama the most expensive Beatles electric guitar at auction sale.
Last year, John Lennon’s acoustic 12-string Framus, played extensively on Help!, realised $2.8 million at auction.
It is the most expensive Beatles guitar thus far.
Harrison’s Fender rip-off, which he bought at Frank Hessy’s store in Liverpool on higher purchase, is the 11th most valuable guitar ever sold at auction.
Although it wasn’t a great instrument – Harrison described it as a “dog” to play – it wasn’t particularly cheap.
The cost in 2024 cash is around £1,500. Harrison needed a parental signature (his mother didn’t use her real name for the document) to secure the credit and was expected to take 44 payments to clear the 55 guineas paid for the guitar.
Its purchase in 1959 was a sign that the Beatles were serious about making it as professional musicians. Harrison subsequently played it in over 300 shows during a formative period for the Beatles sound.
It took 16 bids for the Futurama to find a new, record-breaking home. The buyer has not been named.
It had previously failed to sell in 2019. But, music memorabilia is booming, and guitars are the most desirable of all rock ‘n’ roll collectibles.
Kurt Cobain’s “unplugged” Martin acoustic sold for over $6 million in 2020 and is the most valuable guitar ever sold at auction.
