Clapton's Cream-era SG

[Jeffrec]

Does anyone know who ended up with the Cream-era SG after the auction? Thanks for the info.

Jeff

 

[telegraph14]

I think that Todd Rundgren has owned it for many years and still does.

 

[DLX1]

I might be mistaken but i believe i read that the Clapton SG was supposed to be on loan to Todd but he didnt want to give it up.Sorry Todd,If i'm wrong.

 

[Jeffrec]

Right, but Todd put it up for auction at Southebys last year, to benefit Clapton's drug rehab place in Antigua. It sold, but I never heard who got it. Hopefully it won't disappear for good.

Jeff

 

[Jeffrec]

I actually got to feel the neck on that guitar once, before one of Todd's shows, and no one was watching the guitar (fortunately for Todd I'm an honest guy). Naturally, after the experience, I was sportin' wood for a week (LOL).

 

[Les Paul DICK!]

I used to party with Todd's brother when I was in College back in '80-'81 timeframe!

Does that count?

 

[JDW33]

Hey Jeffrec...

how did the SG feel? Was the neck pretty thin? Easy to play, etc...

 

[burstin'don]

Didn't Paul Allen co founder of Microsoft buy it for the Experience Music Project Museum in Seattle??? They were expecting around 500K but it got much less???

 

[Jeffrec]

JDW33,

The neck felt very much like the one on my '61 LP/SG reissue. It was thin, but not too thin, and was tapered nicely, and not too wide. I was only able to cop a quick feel, as I didn't want to get tossed out of the show.

Jeff

Burstin' Don,

If that's right, then at least folks can get a chance to see the guitar. I hope so.

Jeff

 

[roadrunner]

That guitar is all over in a video called "Fresh Live Cream"

Cool vid... check it out!

 

[Indiana Erick]

Did you know.....

That Dan Erlewine's band the Prime Movers opened Cream's first ever U.S show?

 

[lpnv59]

The history of that guitar is all over the place. I read Clapton & Jackie Lomax traded guitars when Clapton was playing on Lomax's 1st solo album that Harrison produced. I also read somewhere that George H gave the SG to Clapton about the same time the 2 Dutch artists known as "The Fool" had painted it, and a bunch of other guitars like Pauls Ric bass, Harrisons Strat and Jack Bruces 6string bass.

 

[Jeffrec]

Apparently it was originally George's guitar and he gave it to Eric. When Eric was sick of the whole Cream thing he lent it to Lomax (I got that from Lomax himself via email). It was on loan (for about $500) to Todd, on the condition that Lomax could get it back later. Todd ultimately refused to return it and the rest is history. According to Todd, the headstock was in bad shape from over use and misuse, so it was replaced. The rest of the guitar is all original except for some tone & volume knob switching and paint touch-up. When I saw the guitar, it looked like it was in great shape.

Jeff

 

[lpnv59]

Apparently it was originally George's guitar and he gave it to Eric. When Eric was sick of the whole Cream thing he lent it to Lomax (I got that from Lomax himself via email). It was on loan (for about $500) to Todd, on the condition that Lomax could get it back later. Todd ultimately refused to return it and the rest is history. According to Todd, the headstock was in bad shape from over use and misuse, so it was replaced. The rest of the guitar is all original except for some tone & volume knob switching and paint touch-up. When I saw the guitar, it looked like it was in great shape.

Jeff

So if this was Georges SG, then not only was it the "Disraeli Gears" guitar but possibly the "Paperback Writer" guitar as well. BTW, when EC had it, it had a ABR and a Maestro Vibrola on it. Not the Shaller bridge and stop tail. The black rings were also painted to match with the color scheme as well as the upper fingerboard.:hippy

 

[Jeffrec]

So if this was Georges SG, then not only was it the "Disraeli Gears" guitar but possibly the "Paperback Writer" guitar as well. BTW, when EC had it, it had a ABR and a Maestro Vibrola on it. Not the Shaller bridge and stop tail. The black rings were also painted to match with the color scheme as well as the upper fingerboard.:hippy

Yes, I think you're right. Also, it wasn't a 1962 or 62 LP/SG like everyone has thought. It was probably a '64 SG Standard, given the type of vibrato mechanism it originally had (Lyre). The pups were probably early patent numbered ones with alnico-5 magnets vs. being PAF's.

 

[Joe b]

This is not George's SG. George gave his Day Tripper SG to Pete Ham (BAdfinger) and it has just recently been found.

http://www.soundmagazine.net/cgnews.html

 

[guitargary]

I read the story about Clapton wanting thr guitar back from Todd R. And Todd not wanting to give the guitar back. Thats been the story going around for years. Somehow the part about it being ripped off from EC never sounded right. Anyway what did the guitar sell for and who has it?

 

[TruelasDougblood]

the sotheby's site has/had pre-auction info and nothing more; I did read an interview w/ Todd where said "they ripped me off on
the auction" ( something like that) and nothing more.

Oh yeah part of the proceeds of the auction were supposed to go to the Crosroads Center to placate Mr Clapton and settle the issue of ownership.....

I'm guessing it didn't meet the reserve and is sitting in a vault at
Sotheby's. Pure speculation but it would cover Rundgren's remarks.....

 

[McCauley]

What year was Georges SG?
Mike

 

[Joe b]

Gibson SG Standard
solidbody, cherry red (vintage 1961): This guitar, equipped with a Gibson Maestro Vibrola w/ lyre-style cover, was first used during the Revolver sessions, and was featured on the promo film for "Lady Madonna" and the recently reconstructed "Hey Bulldog" video. Sometime in 1969 Harrison gave this guitar to the band Badfinger, and after a dispute, Pete Ham aced out fellow guitarist Tom Evans and kept the SG. He used it extensively on tour and in the studio, notably on "No Matter What" and "Baby Blue." Just before his suicide in April 1974, Ham left this guitar at his brother John's home. After keeping it stored away, John Ham took it out in 2001 and loaned it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for The Beatles display.