A rare, non-branded early 1960s Japanese sunburst electric guitar once played by Jimi Hendrix is headed to the auction block.
According to the late guitar legend's brother, Leon Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix played the instrument in the early to mid ‘60s. More specifically, GWS Auctions - the house hosting the auction - says that Hendrix began playing the instrument “shortly after he returned home from the U.S. Army in 1962.
"After leaving Fort Campbell, Jimi moved to Clarksville, Tennessee for a short time where he played on the Chitlin' Circuit with the likes of Wilson Pickett, Slim Harpo, Sam Cooke, Ike and Tina Turner and Jackie Wilson before moving to Harlem, New York in early 1964 where he stayed until late 1966 playing venues such as Cafe Wha? and the Cheetah Club.
“Jimi moved to London in late 1966 and left this guitar in New York at the apartment of one of his best friends, where Leon [Hendrix] recalled seeing it many years later.”
The guitar - which comes without strings - is offered with a letter of provenance from Leon Hendrix in addition to a copy of the above video interview. Hendrix is also willing to have a private lunch with the winning bidder, at the bidder's expense.
The current starting bid for the guitar is $50,000.
For more info on the guitar, stop by gwsauctions.com.
