A guitar amplifier used by John Lennon as The Beatles become the most successful act in music history is to be auctioned next month.
The 1962 fawn JMI Vox AC15 is being sold at Propstore’s Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction on November 15, and carries an estimated sale price of between $125,000 and $250,000.
The Beatles/Vox link is one of the most important and visible partnerships in music gear history. When the Liverpool foursome travelled to the US, American musicians squinted to make out the names on the amps that were blasting out their very loud, different-sounding music.
Lennon bought this amp in 1962. It was his first Vox.
The company’s amplifiers were key to the way the Beatles sounded, and how that sound was heard by increasingly large (and noisy) audiences.
Vox was founded in Kent in 1957 by Thomas Jennings. Their amps were immediately a success, powering Hank Marvin of the Shadows among others as rock ‘n’ roll was embraced and adapted by a generation of British musicians.
The company’s most iconic model is the AC30.
Lennon perhaps didn’t have the cash for that in 1962 – their first AC30s were gifts from Vox – and was using the smaller, less-powerful AC15.
The amp has survived in remarkable condition despite The Beatles frantic gigging schedule as they fought to break through.
He played through it live and during the recording of Please Please Me at Abbey Road.
Propstore say: “It is arguably one of the most notable Beatles and Lennon artifacts to come to market. It was the catalyst in forming the early tone and sound of one of The Beatles, considered one of the most influential bands of all time.”
Online bidding will run before a live sale on November 14 at BAFTA in Piccadilly, London.
This is not the only Beatles item in the sale.
There are several autographed items, rare Yesterday and Today records, photographs and drawings.
The attraction of the pioneering pop band has yet to fade.
And the gear they used to make their world-changing music is probably the most sought-after category of memorabilia.
Earlier this year a John Lennon-played acoustic guitar sold for $2.85 million. One of George Harrison’s first guitars will be sold in December, and is expected to make over $1 million at the end of November.
The market for musical collectibles is very buoyant at the top end.
Rory Gallagher’s 1961 Fender Stratocaster sold last week for £890,000.
The chance to own a pivotal Beatles item is likely to attract big money, and that $250,000 top estimate may well be beaten.
