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Geddy Lee has a Burst for sale.

Chef Greg

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Jan 17, 2002
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all things considered, Rick & I think he got a good deal on a nice straight 'burst in Florida that day....:dude:
 

Doc Sausage

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Nov 21, 2006
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Did Geddy Lee perform with this on a regular basis in Rush?
If not, I see no reason for any upcharge based on "celebrity owned". :hmm

So when making a valuation on a ‘celebrity-owned’ guitar, he/she actually had to perform with it to fetch a premium? Technically, he is a ‘celebrity’ that ‘owned’ the guitar. Seems it gets slippery from there. Like, were they a good player? Were they a great player? Were their record sales good? Etc. Where does it end?

I would expect most Bursts to stand on their own merits but obviously, names like Page, Beck, Green, and so on mean something to somebody. Even with a name attached is it still only worth what you can get? I mean, what if Page had a ‘number 4’ that never saw a spotlight? Is that a million dollar guitar? I’m no burst buyer. Just curious.
 

Tom Wittrock

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So when making a valuation on a ‘celebrity-owned’ guitar, he/she actually had to perform with it to fetch a premium? Technically, he is a ‘celebrity’ that ‘owned’ the guitar. Seems it gets slippery from there. Like, were they a good player? Were they a great player? Were their record sales good? Etc. Where does it end?

Miley Cyrus is a celebrity.
So is Richard Simmons.
How much extra is Burst worth if they owned it?
Where does it end?
:ganz
 

J.D.

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IMHO the only time "celebrity owned" adds a premium is if it was the instrument on the recording of a blockbuster song/album.
 

Doc Sausage

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Miley Cyrus is a celebrity.
So is Richard Simmons.
How much extra is Burst worth if they owned it?
Where does it end?
:ganz

I call BS. What instrument is Simmons known for playing? Besides the obvious one. Did he sell a Burst? Geddy Lee was part of a classic, pivotal ROCK band that played instruments known to have been used by rock musicians. Instruments that were closely associated with what a burst might bring to the party. Granted, he may have been a bass player himself, but it’s a damn sight closer to a connection than your Simmons analogy. Or even Miley and her breasts.
 

Tom Wittrock

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I call BS. What instrument is Simmons known for playing? Besides the obvious one. Did he sell a Burst? Geddy Lee was part of a classic, pivotal ROCK band that played instruments known to have been used by rock musicians. Instruments that were closely associated with what a burst might bring to the party. Granted, he may have been a bass player himself, but it’s a damn sight closer to a connection than your Simmons analogy. Or even Miley and her breasts.

You have convoluted the subject [including your own post] so much, I'm not inclined to try to unravel it for you.
Hint: "Where does it end?"
 

Doc Sausage

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You have convoluted the subject [including your own post] so much, I'm not inclined to try to unravel it for you.
Hint: "Where does it end?"

Ah, and where does it begin?! Having ‘lurked’ here for 14 years, I’ve accidentally picked up on a few things. Me convoluting the nuances of a Burst sale? Seems most are anything but cut and dry, based on just a ‘make, model and year.’ What about that pesky provenance thing? Does a clean bill and past - or moreover, the lack of a clean past, not convolute a sale? Seems as if some dude with a name like, Geddy Lee, were selling a guitar, it would indeed command some kind of premium.

Talking with a friend tonight, he and I agreed that if we were displaying (or playing) a ‘59 Burst that had some kind of background, we’d be infinitely more proud to say that it was Geddy Lee’s axe than Richard Simmons!:2cool

Edit: and willing to pay more if in the position.
 

Chef Greg

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I certainly doubt that being owned by Geddy Lee would be any reason to discount it... :spabout -- ... imho; any guitar's change in value because of "celebrity owned" history is entirely up to the buyer ( & buyer's preferences) there's always exceptions to the "BlueBook" values of any collectible

... for me in most cases Celebrity owned means very little ...

Rick N. got a good deal on that 'burst, regardless.
 

Doc Sausage

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Nov 21, 2006
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Imagine if it were for sale now. And it might make absolutely no difference but there will NEVER be a Rush in its original form again. But somehow, I see that as having an effect on value. In the seller’s favor! Dunno.
 

Rich R

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Jun 4, 2002
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It's actually not that complicated, and you just need to follow the market. "Celebrity" instruments, those that bring a (sometimes insane) premium, could more accurately be described as "iconic": Page's Burst, Blackie, Gilmour's black strat, etc. These instruments are part of musical history, and a small number of very well-heeled buyers can afford to compete to own them for bragging rights. It's important to remember that these billionaires can afford virtually anything--it's play money. I like to watch these sales for the entertainment value--nothing like watching some numb nuts pay $60K for a distortion pedal, for example. It really has almost nothing to do with the vintage guitar market.

Most high-end vintage guitar collectors have different concerns, which we're all familiar with. The Geddyburst was simply an example of a collector selling one of his guitars, and he got a decent price for what it was ($215K, minus any charges) Any interested buyer was able to evaluate it as they would any other burst. No celebrity premium involved. Apples and oranges.
 
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