First Hendrix Fender For Sale

Jimi Hendrix’s first Fender guitar is to be auctioned in the UK next week.

On Tuesday 2 November Hendrix’s 1959 Fender Duo-Sonic will be sold by Cameo Auctioneers.

Here’s a little history of the guitar:

"During a nine-month stint from March to November 1964, with the Isley Brothers, when he was known as Jimmy James, Hendrix got his first Fender guitar - a blond (tan) '59/ '60 Duo-Sonic.

"The one Jimi used was manufactured as a short scale guitar 22 ½ inches long, selling in those days for $160. The common blond (tan) finish was discontinued in 1964. He found the Duo-Sonic affordable and that it worked great for the funky rhythms he played while working as a backing musician with the Isley Brothers backing band.

"Jimi had at one stage fitted his Duo-Sonic with an EpiPhone (Maestro) Vibrato unit but had later taken it off. The rumour is that this guitar went missing whilst on tour in the USA but contrary to this Jimi just tired of using it and it was put away for a while and resurfaced years later in Chas Chandler's London studio.

"Chas Chandler discovered and managed Jimi, and later sold the guitar in 1982 for £400 to Rod Weinberg, who in 1983 reunited the Animals for a world tour.”

If you fancy taking a punt on one of the most significant pieces of rock memorabilia we’ve seen then you may want to check your bank balance as it’s likely to set you back £150-180k.

If that price is a little out of your reach there is a whole pile of great rock memorabilia on sale at the auction – CLICK HERE TO HAVE A LOOK (The Hendrix guitar is Lot 429)