A few weeks ago, a 1958 Gibson Les Paul with quite the backstory went up for auction.
The electric guitar in question had once been purchased by none other than George Harrison, as a ransom payment of sorts for the safe return of another Les Paul, the Beatle's beloved '57 "Lucy" model.
Now, via Heritage Auctions, the '58 "ransom" Les Paul has reportedly been sold for an impressive $312,500, well over its original opening bid of $250,000.
After playing a significant role on the Beatles' White Album, Let It Be, and Abbey Road, Lucy – which, before Harrison, had been in the possession of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian, Rick Derringer, and Eric Clapton – was stolen from Harrison's Beverly Hills home during a 1973 burglary and sold to Whalin's Sound City music store on Sunset Blvd.
From there, Whalin's sold the legendary guitar to a Mexican musician named Miguel Ochoa. Harrison quickly tracked down the guitar, though, and managed to – before the visiting Ochoa left Los Angeles – call the friend with whom the musician was staying.
Harrison offered to make things even with Ochoa, and reimburse him for Lucy's full sticker price, an offer Ochoa – who quickly realized that his new guitar was no ordinary Les Paul – declined.
Once back in Mexico – with Lucy still in his possession – Ochoa asked that Harrison buy him a 1958 Les Paul Standard – which the Beatle subsequently bought from Norman Harris (of Norman's Rare Guitars) – and a Fender Precision bass. After receiving these two instruments, Ochoa finally sent Lucy back to Harrison.
Ochoa kept the "ransom" Les Paul until 1983, when he sold it to Nadine's Music owner Robert Truman.
The "ransom" Les Paul's electronics are original, but its pickup covers were at some point removed and subsequently re-installed, with non-stock Kluson tuners also installed on the guitar at one juncture. The guitar's frets, likewise, are original and have "moderate" wear.
Overall, the Les Paul – serial #8 5424 – is in "very good" condition, and was sold with its original hard case.
For more info on the guitar, visit ha.com.
“We all grew up with their music, looking at the album covers, and learning these classic guitar riffs and parts”: Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, Mavis Staples honored by Bruce Springsteen at second annual American Music Honors show
“I bought my ’59 sunburst Les Paul from my first wife’s brother... he’d gotten sick – he called me and said, ‘I’m probably not gonna make it. Will you buy my Les Paul?’ Now it gets to live on and still make music”: Vince Gill on his beloved 'Burst
