Throughout the history of music, certain instruments became synonymous with iconic performances and legendary artists. Many of these instruments hold deep sentimental and historical value, not just for their creators but for the fans who grew up hearing them. Yet, despite their fame, several of these musical treasures have disappeared or been lost to time. Whether stolen, lost in transit, or simply vanished into obscurity, these instruments carry stories that remain untold. Here’s a look at some of the most famous and elusive instruments from musical history.
John Lennon’s Rickenbacker 325 (Lost 1963 Model)
John Lennon’s 1963 Rickenbacker 325 is one of the most iconic guitars in rock history. Lennon played this instrument during the early days of The Beatles, including their legendary performances at the Cavern Club and on their first U.S. tour. The 325, with its short neck and distinctive body shape, became a symbol of The Beatles’ early sound. Unfortunately, the guitar went missing in 1967 after a U.S. tour, and its whereabouts remain unknown to this day. Some believe it was lost or stolen while being stored at the band’s hotel, but despite numerous efforts to locate it, the Rickenbacker 325 has vanished, adding a layer of mystery to Lennon’s early years as a performer.
Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 Black Flying V Gibson
Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 Black Flying V Gibson was one of the most unique and powerful guitars in his legendary collection. Hendrix, known for his innovative and sometimes wild guitar techniques, adopted the Flying V for some of his most memorable performances, including his groundbreaking set at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. The instrument stood out with its striking black finish and sharp, angular body. However, after Hendrix’s death in 1970, the guitar mysteriously disappeared, and its current location remains a mystery. Despite its historical significance, the Flying V has never been found, making it one of the most coveted missing pieces in rock history.
Bob Dylan’s Newport Folk Festival Fender Stratocaster (Replica Missing)
At the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, Bob Dylan famously shocked the audience by switching from acoustic to electric guitar, marking a pivotal moment in rock history. The guitar Dylan used that day was a Fender Stratocaster, a key part of his transformation from folk to rock music. While the original guitar has been reported as lost or stolen, its replica was notably missing after being displayed in an exhibit in 2003. The Stratocaster used at Newport helped define the era of electric folk rock, but its mysterious disappearance added to the mystique surrounding Dylan’s legendary career. The replica’s disappearance only intensified the fascination with the actual guitar, which is still presumed to be lost or stolen.
Elvis Presley’s 1956 Gibson J-200
Elvis Presley’s 1956 Gibson J-200 was a signature part of his early sound, playing a prominent role in his live performances and recording sessions. The acoustic guitar was known for its rich, full tone and distinctive shape, making it a favorite of Presley during the height of his rockabilly and early rock career. It is said that Elvis often used the guitar during impromptu jam sessions at his Graceland estate. However, the J-200 went missing after Presley’s death in 1977. Despite the significant efforts of collectors and music historians to track it down, the guitar’s whereabouts remain unknown, leaving one of the King’s prized possessions lost to history.
Prince’s Cloud Guitar (Original White Version)
Prince’s Cloud Guitar became an iconic symbol of the artist’s unique style and musical vision. The original white version of the Cloud Guitar was custom-made for Prince in the early 1980s, featuring a highly sculpted body and unique angular design. The guitar was a key part of his signature look, notably during the “Purple Rain” era, when Prince performed with it on stage in front of millions. It’s said to have been his personal favorite, and he used it for many of his most famous performances. However, the original white version of the Cloud Guitar mysteriously vanished from Prince’s collection after his death in 2016. Fans and collectors alike have been searching for the instrument ever since, but its current location remains unknown, adding another layer of intrigue to Prince’s legacy.
Jimmy Page’s Telecaster “Dragon” Guitar
Jimmy Page’s “Dragon” Telecaster is one of the most visually stunning and historically significant guitars of Led Zeppelin’s legendary career. This guitar was a gift to Page from the Fender company and featured intricate dragon artwork along its body, which became a symbol of Page’s rock mysticism. He played the guitar during the band’s early performances, including their first American tours. The “Dragon” guitar became closely associated with Page’s unique style of heavy riffs and melodic solos. Tragically, the guitar was lost in 1970 after a U.S. tour, and despite years of rumors and searches, the instrument’s current location is still unknown. Its disappearance has only fueled its mythic status among Zeppelin fans.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Number One” Stratocaster Clone
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Number One” Stratocaster, often referred to as his primary guitar, was the instrument that helped define his legendary blues sound. Originally a 1963 Fender Stratocaster, Vaughan modified the guitar with heavy wear and unique personal adjustments that gave it its signature tone. This guitar was an integral part of his performances, most famously in his 1980s tours and recordings, where it contributed to his unmistakable blues riffs. Tragically, after Vaughan’s untimely death in a helicopter crash in 1990, “Number One” was lost for several years. While the Stratocaster was recovered, the version Vaughan played in his final years was a replica, leaving fans to wonder what became of the original guitar. Despite speculation, the original “Number One” clone has never been found.
George Harrison’s 1958 Les Paul “Lucy” (Briefly Missing)
George Harrison’s 1958 Les Paul, affectionately named “Lucy,” is one of the most iconic guitars associated with The Beatles. The guitar, with its vibrant sunburst finish, was used by Harrison during some of the band’s most famous studio recordings, including the groundbreaking albums Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. “Lucy” was also featured in several of the band’s early performances, adding a rich, bluesy tone to their music. After Harrison’s passing, the guitar briefly disappeared in the 1970s. It was stolen from a former bandmate’s home, but eventually, it was recovered. The guitar is still regarded as a major piece of Beatles history, though its brief disappearance has kept the story of “Lucy” shrouded in mystery.
B.B. King’s Early “Lucille” Gibson ES-335
B.B. King’s “Lucille” is one of the most famous guitars in the history of blues. The name “Lucille” originally referred to a 1950s Gibson ES-335 that King used to create his signature sound. The guitar’s name came about after a fight broke out at a club where King had performed, and he later learned that the fire had been started over a woman named Lucille. From then on, King named all his guitars “Lucille” as a tribute to the incident. His 1950s Gibson ES-335 was his first and most famous “Lucille,” and it became inseparable from his performances. In the early 1970s, this particular instrument was lost during a tour. Although King later acquired several replicas, the original Gibson ES-335 remains lost to this day, making it one of the most significant missing guitars in the blues world.
Eddie Van Halen’s Original “Frankenstrat” Prototype
Eddie Van Halen’s “Frankenstrat” is the epitome of a self-built, pioneering guitar. Created in the late 1970s, Van Halen’s Frankenstrat featured parts from various guitars, including a Fender Stratocaster body and a Gibson PAF humbucker pickup. The instrument became iconic for its unique look—half black and white striped, with a sound that defined Van Halen’s explosive style. The original Frankenstrat was central to his early performances, including the band’s breakthrough album Van Halen. After Van Halen’s rise to stardom, the guitar mysteriously disappeared, and its whereabouts are still unknown. Though replicas have been created, the loss of the original prototype still haunts fans and collectors alike, who consider it one of the most important instruments in rock history.
David Gilmour’s 1955 Fender Esquire
David Gilmour’s 1955 Fender Esquire is another legendary instrument tied to the sound of one of rock’s greatest bands, Pink Floyd. Known for its sharp, cutting tone, the Esquire was used extensively in the creation of The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. Gilmour’s Esquire had a particular role in crafting the signature sound of his solos, with its warm but bright tones complementing his emotive playing. The guitar was stolen during a break-in at a studio in the 1980s, and despite efforts to recover it, the Esquire was never found. While Gilmour went on to use many other guitars throughout his career, the 1955 Fender Esquire remains a missing relic from one of Pink Floyd’s most influential periods.
Paul McCartney’s Höfner 500/1 Bass
Paul McCartney’s Höfner 500/1 bass is one of the most recognizable instruments in rock music history. Its violin-shaped body and distinctive tone made it the perfect companion for McCartney’s melodic bass lines in The Beatles. McCartney first began playing the bass in 1961 and it became an integral part of The Beatles’ sound throughout their career. The original Höfner bass, which was nicknamed “Hofner Beatle Bass,” was briefly lost after The Beatles’ breakup when McCartney lent it to a museum for display. For years, the instrument was thought to have been stolen or lost in transit, and its absence only added to the mystique of McCartney’s legendary legacy. The bass was later found and returned, but the period of its disappearance remains one of the great mysteries in rock history.
Randy Rhoads’ Jackson Concorde Prototype
Randy Rhoads’ Jackson Concorde Prototype was a guitar that embodied his revolutionary approach to metal and rock guitar playing. Designed by Rhoads himself, the Concorde featured a sharp, angular body with a striking pointy design, and it quickly became a symbol of his virtuosic guitar skills. Rhoads played the guitar on Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz album and during the band’s early tours. Tragically, the guitar was lost in a plane crash in 1982, which claimed Rhoads’ life. The prototype was left behind and never recovered, making it one of the most legendary missing guitars in rock history. Fans and collectors still search for it, hoping to uncover a piece of metal history.
Jimmy Page’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Jimmy Page’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard is one of the most legendary guitars in rock history, and its disappearance has become a major mystery. Page used this iconic guitar throughout much of Led Zeppelin’s early years, including during the recording of their first album and on many classic tracks such as Stairway to Heaven and Whole Lotta Love. The guitar had a beautiful sunburst finish and a rich, thick sound that became a signature part of Page’s tone. In the 1970s, the Les Paul mysteriously disappeared—possibly stolen or lost during one of the band’s chaotic tours. Despite efforts to track it down, the guitar has never been found, making it one of rock’s greatest missing instruments. It remains an enduring symbol of Jimmy Page’s unique sound and musical legacy.
Keith Richards’ 1953 Fender Telecaster “Micawber”
Keith Richards’ 1953 Fender Telecaster, famously known as “Micawber,” is a cornerstone of The Rolling Stones’ sound. Richards played “Micawber” on many of the band’s most iconic tracks, such as Start Me Up, Brown Sugar, and Angie. The guitar, with its distinct sunburst finish and clear, cutting tone, became a symbol of Richards’ playing style—jangly yet powerful. Richards has often spoken about the guitar’s importance to him, describing it as a trusted companion through decades of music-making. However, the Telecaster mysteriously disappeared in the late 1970s, and its fate remains unclear. Some believe it was lost during a tour or possibly stolen, but despite various rumors and searches, “Micawber” has never resurfaced, leaving a gaping hole in rock history.
This article originally appeared on Rarest.org.
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