Random Famous Guitars That Were Stolen And Never Recovered (10 items)

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  (#1) George Harrison's Rickenbacker

  George Harrison had many famous guitars throughout his life, but perhaps none were more legendary than his Rickenbackers. One of those iconic guitars was stolen near the end of the Beatles' run, after Harrison gave it to his former label manager Jack Oliver. 

  Tony Bramwell, a friend of the band who often worked for them, searched for the guitar for many years and offered a "no questions asked" return policy most recently.

  "In 1963, when George visited his sister Louise in the states, he bought a small Rickenbacker Guitar and was very proud of it. I had it painted black for him, to match John's. The only time I remember him using it was on the TV show 'Ready, Steady, Go.' In 1969, George gave it to Jack Oliver, and not long after, it was stolen. I would really like to know if anyone had seen it since," Bramwell said in 2009. 
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  (#2) Eric Clapton's Les Paul

  Eric Clapton might be primarily associated with Fender Stratocasters, but in the 60s he was known for playing a Gibson Les Paul known as "Beano." In 1966, the guitar was stolen from Clapton and never seen since. Interestingly, famed Les Paul collector Joe Bonamassa made headlines in 2016 when he claimed to know where the guitar currently is.

  "It’s in a collection on the East Coast of America," Bonamassa told Guitarist magazine without offering any further details. "That’s all I can tell you and that’s all I will say."

  The blues guitarist added that he hasn't seen the guitar himself, but said he has it "on good authority" from people who have that it does still exist. 
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  (#3) Lee Ranaldo Of Sonic Youth's Jazzblaster

  Sonic Youth famously had a significant amount of gear stolen from them while on tour in 1999, and although some of the guitars have been recovered in the years since, guitarist Lee Ranaldo's famed "Jazzblaster" prototype has remained at large. The Jazzblaster was a hybrid of Fender's Mustang and Jazzmaster models, which came to be after Ranaldo and singer Thurston Moore both became fans of the guitars.

  The original prototype was heavily modified, as was much of the band's gear, but the guitar was never recovered despite the fact that its modifications made it easy to spot. Amazingly, fans have stayed vigilant over the years and recovered a few of the band's instruments - including one of Moore's Jazzmasters, which was found on eBay 13 years later. 

  "It's kind of wild," Ranaldo told Pitchfork of the guitar's return. "After all this time, things are still surfacing thanks to the diligence of fans."
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  (#4) Paul McCartney's Hofner Violin Bass

  Paul McCartney has had a number of Hofner Violin basses over the course of his career, and continues to play the instrument that's almost as iconic as he is. But the original one, which McCartney purchased in 1962, was stolen during the sessions for Get Back/Let It Be in 1969 and has never been seen since.

  According to a biography called Paul McCartney: The Life, the original violin bass - known as the Cavern bass - is believed to be somewhere in Ottawa, Canada, and cites a Liverpool, England, taxi driver as the person who provided the knowledge of the famed instrument's whereabouts. 
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  (#5) Greg Ginn Of Black Flag's Ampeg

  Black Flag is one of hardcore punk's most cherished bands, and guitarist Greg Ginn is a legend in the genre. In the 80s, Ginn was known for playing an Ampeg Dan Armstrong guitar, which was particularly unique for its clear plexiglass body. In 1986, his heavily modified Dan Armstrong was stolen from him while on tour with Black Flag.

  The guitar, which was modified to include a waterproof switch that prevented sweat from short circuiting the electronics, was never recovered. Black Flag superfan Dave Grohl later became associated with the guitars, playing them often in the Foo Fighters. His even sported a Black Flag logo just like Ginn's. 
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  (#6) Rosanne Cash's Vintage Martin

  For nearly 40 years songwriter Rosanne Cash, daughter of legendary country icon Johnny Cash, has been on the lookout for a cherished 1948 Martin D-28 acoustic guitar given to her by her father. The guitar was stolen from the sidewalk at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles and never seen again. 

  Most notably, the priceless guitar featured a note in the soundhole written by the late Cash: 

  To my daughter, Rosanne, love, Dad. Johnny Cash 
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  (#7) Jimmy Page's Black Beauty

  Jimmy Page's beloved Black Beauty Les Paul guitar was stolen from him in 1970 and was never seen again - until 2016, if reports from the legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist's former roadie are true. Henry "The Horse" Smith responded to a fan question on Facebook asking about the guitar, and claimed that it was quietly returned to Page just a few months earlier.

  "This happened just a few months ago. It was a happy day for me to see Jimmy get this back," Smith's comment read. Some outlets reported the news, though it has not been verified by Page himself. The guitarist has owned a number of Black Beauty guitars over the years. 
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  (#8) James Jamerson's Funk Machine P-Bass

  James Jamerson is one of the most famous session musicians in history, contributing to hundreds of hit recordings and becoming known for his role in the "Motown sound." Near the end of his life in the 80s, Jamerson's prized "Funk machine" Fender Precision bass was stolen from him and never recovered.

  The Funk Machine was the bass responsible for the iconic performances of his career including "My Girl," "What's Going On," and "You Can't Hurry Love," and the mystery of its whereabouts haunts fans to this day. In 2014, a filmmaker launched a crowdfunding campaign for a documentary on the missing bass, though the campaign was unsuccessful. 
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  (#9) Mike Nesmith Of The Monkees' Gretsch 12-String

  The Monkees' Mike Nesmith was known for many things, including his signature hat and sideburns, but he was also associated heavily with the unique Gretsch 12-string guitar he played throughout the group's career. The guitar was custom made for him, as he exclusively played 12-string guitars and needed something for The Monkees' TV show when the pilot was sold. 

  The guitar was unfortunately stolen, though Nesmith has had replicas made for him in the years since.

  "I don’t know where it is. You’d think somebody would get caught with it at some point," he said in an interview with Sound and Vision. 
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  (#10) Joe Satriani's Ibanez Chromeboy

  Guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani's two-of-a-kind Ibanez "Chromeboy" prototype guitar, one of a pair of guitars made for him in a unique chrome finish, was stolen while he was on tour in Florida in 2002. Satriani was desperate to get the guitar back, even offering a reward for its return with no questions asked.

  "My 'Pearly' Chrome Ibanez guitar was stolen last [Wednesday] during load out at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL. If anyone knows anything about this please let us know asap... Not much else to say," he wrote in a message at the time.

  The guitar was never seen again, and no reports ever surfaced as to its whereabouts. 

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