Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Seems odd to me that so little research has been done concerning the whereabouts of John's first J-160E, George's second Ric 12 string, and Paul's first Hofner 5001 bass. Someone out there has to know something. They didn't just magically vanish into thin air. Probably like stolen painting masterpieces....somebody knows what they have, but they're not talking. Even Andy Babiuk doesn't shed light on this issue....

If you had one of them would you be talking?

Probably resting comfortably with Clapton's Beano Burst LP

It's getting to the point in time that whoever stole it my have passed away. Another possibility is they could have simply been sold off shortly after the theft for quick money to someone who was totally unaware that it was a Beatle guitar?

Are there any records of the serial numbers?

I'd guess Jamie is right; they get scooped up and sold off without the buying party knowing they were stolen.

And then an ex in a fit of revenge smashed them or sold them at a garage sale for $20.

There's also George's 1963 Gretsch Tennessean to think about. There is no documentation of the serial number, either. I think it's more important than the J160E, the 2nd Rick 12, and the Hofner, because those were guitars that The Beatles technically had two of.

Everytime I see a 1963 Tennessean on eBay, I wonder if it's his. I have read that there was an updated picture of this guitar in an 1990s Guitar Player magazine story, but I have never seen this article or the picture. I'd be interested to see it though!

I guess it's possible some of these guitars have been dismantled for parts, etc. by now... That's a horrid thought.

I've always wondered what happened to John's Blue Strat. In the Imagine movie there is a blue Strat at their house, but it's a maple neck. Did John replace a damaged neck, or is it a different guitar all together?
I don't think I've seen a picture of John with it after the Revolver'ish time period.

My guess is that most of those guitars are in the hands of people who have no idea what they are or what they are worth.

re: John's blue strat. I don't know that there's ever been a picture of him with it. Of the two photos I've seen of him with such a guitar, one is clearly George's (by way of the guitar strap) and who knows, maybe the other is George's, too. Maybe, twenty years or more down the line, George just thought they both had blue strats but John never had one (or gave it away or had it nicked shortly thereafter.) I have seen that guitar in the Imagine film. George is playing it (slide perhaps.) I wondered the same thing. Or maybe John's had a maple neck all along. Either way, what a cool guitar. What would be the odds that John would have two light blue strats?

I thought the story with George's Tennessean was he gave it away and then the guy who had it traded it in for something.

Glenn: I may be mistaken but I'm sure I've read that 'Nowhere Man' was recorded with John and George playing matching blue Stratocasters. Obviously, everything you read must be taken with a pinch of salt. It's hard to tell whether the writers actually know what the situation in the studio was or if they are simply adding details based on pure speculation to create an air of authenticity.

Glenn, I think George gave away his very first Country Gentleman to Brian O'Hara of The Fourmost, and he's the guy who traded it in for something.

As far as I know, the Tennessean was stolen. I think the last picture of it in George's possession was taken in Dec 1965... around the recording of Day Tripper.

During the Help! sessions, Mal Evans was sent out to procure two Strats. Voila! The matching blue strats.

Wasn't it Brian Epstein who insisted that they be matching in color?

yea, there were two strats...theres shots of lennon using his in his home studio in 67'

Harrison's became "Rocky" didn't it?

Yeah I believe it did Brian. And I believe his estate still owns it.