logo
John Lennon & George Harrison

John Lennon & George Harrison 12-String Guitar Up for Auction, Estimated to Break Record

April 29, 2024

A rare piece of Beatles history is about to hit the auction block. A 12-string Framus "Hootenanny" guitar used by John Lennon and George Harrison during the recording of their iconic 1965 album "Help!" will be offered for sale by Julien's Auctions in their upcoming "Music Icons" event.

Lost for nearly 60 years

The guitar, believed lost for nearly 60 years, features prominently in recordings and performances of several Beatles classics, including the album's title track, "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away," and "It's Only Love." After Lennon gifted the instrument to a friend, it eventually ended up in an attic, where it remained unnoticed for decades.

John Lennon & George Harrison "Help!" Guitar Up for Auction

Julien's Auctions, based in California, collaborated with Beatles expert Andy Babiuk to authenticate the guitar.  "Distinctive markings" aided in identification, but the true confirmation came through sound. "When strummed," Julien's said in a statement, "it immediately identifies itself as 'that' guitar.'" The auction house describes the Framus as "an audio time capsule from 1965," offering a direct connection to the band's legendary recordings.

John Lennon & George Harrison "Help!" Guitar Up for Auction

John Lennon & George Harrison guitar scheduled for auction

The guitar required restoration before going up for auction.  Los Angeles-based luthier Ryan Schuermann of LA Guitar Repair handled the delicate work, performing an invisible neck reset, repairing the top, and treating the bridge to ensure the instrument's playability for years to come.

John Lennon & George Harrison "Help!" Guitar Up for Auction

Scheduled for auction on May 29th and 30th at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, the Framus Hootenanny is expected to set a new world record for the most expensive Beatles guitar ever sold. The current record holder is a 1962 Gibson J-160E used by Lennon on early hits like "I Want to Hold Your Hand," which fetched $2.4 million at Julien's in 2015.