John Lennon’s “Rubber Soul” Guitar Sold For $2.9m

The 12-string Framus Hootenanny acoustic guitar previously owned by the legendary Beatle John Lennon has sold at auction for $2.9 million. This has set a new record for a Beatles item by more than $500,000. The guitar was part of the band’s early days and was featured on their 1965 albums Help! and Rubber Soul. It also appeared in the Help! movie during the performance of “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.”

Lennon’s Gibson J-160E, which sold for $2.4 million in 2015 previously held the record for a Beatles item. The recent sale was managed by Julien’s Auctions at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, with the winning bid being made via phone.

Julien’s Auctions highlighted the guitar’s significance:

“This Framus is the guitar heard on ‘You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away,’ ‘It’s Only Love,’ ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face,’ and of course, ‘Help!’ On Rubber Soul. It can be heard on ‘Girl’ as well as George Harrison’s parts on ‘Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown).’”

The instrument was a vital part of Lennon’s creative song process during the Beatles’ early years, strummed in smoky pubs and cramped recording studios. As Julien noted:

“Its new owner is now the custodian of a piece of Lennon’s soul, a tangible link to the creative energy that flowed through him and touched the lives of millions.”

The $2.9M Guitar Forgotten for Decades

Initially gifted to Gordon Waller of Peter & Gordon in 1965, the guitar eventually ended up forgotten in an attic. To confirm its authenticity, Julien’s worked with musician and Beatles gear expert Andy Babiuk. He stated:

“This Hootenanny, serial #51083, is indeed John Lennon’s guitar. It has some distinctive markings which made it easily identifiable when compared to photos and stills from Help!”