This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2024
The Beatles John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison Played 1963 Custom-Made Burns Prototype Guitar.
Offered here is an incredible Custom-Made Prototype Guitar made by Burns Guitar. Burns Guitars started making guitars in 1959 and this guitar was one of their original builds. The company was started by Louise Farrell and James Ormston Burns. It is well documented that the Beatles had a relationship with James Ormston Burns, he was the one who refinished John Lennon's 1958 Rickenbacker 325 for him.
The guitar offered here was used to try and persuade rockstars into using the Burns guitar brand. It was in 1963 when Jim Burns attempted to get the Beatles to play his brand of guitars. This was one of the guitars used at a secret jam session in Louise Farrell’s basement. John, Paul and George liked Burns very much but weren’t willing to give up their Gretsch, Hofner and Gibson which had obviously served them extremely well.
All three main Beatles actually held this guitar and played it for an extended period of time, as Jim Burns attempted to get the Beatles to switch to his guitar brand. Even though it ultimately did not work, this guitar stands out as an interesting piece of Beatles history.
Provenance: From the collection of Louise Farrell. This guitar was in the possession of Louise Farrell until now, to which it has been passed on to her granddaughter.
The guitar is worn, and valuable as an instrument without any provenance of the Beatles.
Authentication: Letter of Provenance and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.