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(#9) Mike Nesmith Of The Monkees' Gretsch 12-String
The Monkees' Mike Nesmith was known for many things, including his signature hat and sideburns, but he was also associated heavily with the unique Gretsch 12-string guitar he played throughout the group's career. The guitar was custom made for him, as he exclusively played 12-string guitars and needed something for The Monkees' TV show when the pilot was sold.
The guitar was unfortunately stolen, though Nesmith has had replicas made for him in the years since.
"I don’t know where it is. You’d think somebody would get caught with it at some point," he said in an interview with Sound and Vision.
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(#6) Rosanne Cash's Vintage Martin
For nearly 40 years songwriter Rosanne Cash, daughter of legendary country icon Johnny Cash, has been on the lookout for a cherished 1948 Martin D-28 acoustic guitar given to her by her father. The guitar was stolen from the sidewalk at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles and never seen again.
Most notably, the priceless guitar featured a note in the soundhole written by the late Cash:
To my daughter, Rosanne, love, Dad. Johnny Cash
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(#1) George Harrison's Rickenbacker
George Harrison had many famous guitars throughout his life, but perhaps none were more legendary than his Rickenbackers. One of those iconic guitars was stolen near the end of the Beatles' run, after Harrison gave it to his former label manager Jack Oliver.
Tony Bramwell, a friend of the band who often worked for them, searched for the guitar for many years and offered a "no questions asked" return policy most recently.
"In 1963, when George visited his sister Louise in the states, he bought a small Rickenbacker Guitar and was very proud of it. I had it painted black for him, to match John's. The only time I remember him using it was on the TV show 'Ready, Steady, Go.' In 1969, George gave it to Jack Oliver, and not long after, it was stolen. I would really like to know if anyone had seen it since," Bramwell said in 2009.
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(#8) James Jamerson's Funk Machine P-Bass
James Jamerson is one of the most famous session musicians in history, contributing to hundreds of hit recordings and becoming known for his role in the "Motown sound." Near the end of his life in the 80s, Jamerson's prized "Funk machine" Fender Precision bass was stolen from him and never recovered.
The Funk Machine was the bass responsible for the iconic performances of his career including "My Girl," "What's Going On," and "You Can't Hurry Love," and the mystery of its whereabouts haunts fans to this day. In 2014, a filmmaker launched a crowdfunding campaign for a documentary on the missing bass, though the campaign was unsuccessful.
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(#10) Joe Satriani's Ibanez Chromeboy
Guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani's two-of-a-kind Ibanez "Chromeboy" prototype guitar, one of a pair of guitars made for him in a unique chrome finish, was stolen while he was on tour in Florida in 2002. Satriani was desperate to get the guitar back, even offering a reward for its return with no questions asked.
"My 'Pearly' Chrome Ibanez guitar was stolen last [Wednesday] during load out at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL. If anyone knows anything about this please let us know asap... Not much else to say," he wrote in a message at the time.
The guitar was never seen again, and no reports ever surfaced as to its whereabouts.
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(#2) Eric Clapton's Les Paul
Eric Clapton might be primarily associated with Fender Stratocasters, but in the 60s he was known for playing a Gibson Les Paul known as "Beano." In 1966, the guitar was stolen from Clapton and never seen since. Interestingly, famed Les Paul collector Joe Bonamassa made headlines in 2016 when he claimed to know where the guitar currently is.
"It’s in a collection on the East Coast of America," Bonamassa told Guitarist magazine without offering any further details. "That’s all I can tell you and that’s all I will say."
The blues guitarist added that he hasn't seen the guitar himself, but said he has it "on good authority" from people who have that it does still exist.
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About This Tool
When it comes to legendary musicians in history, people usually pay attention to accompany them to create brilliant musical instruments. As famous guitarists, we have to mention the famous guitars they ever used. Unfortunately, many famous guitars have been stolen in history and never recovered, which is tantamount to breaking a finger of a genius musician, such as the "Frankenstrat" of Eddie Van Halen, which is also a well-known instrument in the world.
The random tool lists 10 famous guitars that were stolen, they have disappeared for many years. There is no double that these guitars are very valuable.
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