The world of guitars isn’t all about perfect riffs and classic chords—sometimes, it’s downright wild!
My curiosity has led me down a rabbit hole of ten jaw-dropping, head-scratching, and extraordinary tales that you’ll have to read to believe.
The story of the guitar that
was lost and found after 50 years
In the 1960s, John Lennon gifted a fellow musician and friend a Gretsch 6128 Duo Jet guitar, which sadly went missing soon after.
Despite efforts to locate the instrument, it remained lost for over five decades, leaving Lennon and his friend to wonder about its fate.
Miraculously, in 2020, the guitar resurfaced when a family discovered it among the possessions of a late relative.
Now, the long-lost guitar is set to go up for auction, giving fans and collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history.
The tale of the guitar that was used as a weapon
Keith Richards, the legendary guitarist of The Rolling Stones, famously used his guitar as a weapon in a confrontation with a stage invader during a concert in 1973.
The incident occurred when a fan rushed the stage and approached singer Mick Jagger, prompting Richards to take action by swinging his guitar at the intruder, striking him and knocking him off the stage.
This moment, captured on film and widely circulated, added to Richards’ reputation as a fierce and uncompromising performer, willing to use his instrument not only to create music but also to defend his band and his stage.
The legend of the guitar that was stolen and returned by a famous thief
In 1969, Paul McCartney‘s beloved Hofner bass guitar was stolen from a London studio during a rehearsal session.
The theft remained a mystery for over a decade until the famous bandit, David Tottenham, confessed to the crime in 1981.
Tottenham, known for his high-profile heists, claimed that he had taken the guitar on a whim and had kept it hidden away for years before finally deciding to return it to its rightful owner, much to McCartney’s relief and gratitude.
The guitar that was played by multiple rock legends in secret jam sessions
According to insider accounts, the instrument, a vintage model known for its exceptional tone and playability, was passed among a group of iconic musicians during clandestine gatherings, where they would trade licks and collaborate on impromptu performances.
The guitar, which bears the scars and wear of countless hours of use, is said to have been played by some of the biggest names in rock history, making it a true artifact of musical greatness.
The instrument that was used in a séance to communicate with spirits
The story of the guitar used in a séance to communicate with spirits has become a chilling tale in the annals of paranormal history.
According to eyewitness accounts, during a séance in the late 19th century, a medium used a guitar to channel the voices of the deceased.
The instrument allegedly played eerie melodies and relayed messages from beyond the grave.
The guitar, which was said to have taken on a life of its own during the séance, became a subject of fascination and fear among those present, with some claiming that otherworldly forces possessed the instrument.
While the veracity of these claims remains a topic of debate, the legend of the séance guitar has endured as a haunting reminder of the mysteries that lie at the intersection of music and the supernatural.
The guitar that was turned into a family heirloom and passed down generations
The Martin acoustic guitar has been in the Thomson family for over 70 years, a cherished heirloom passed down from grandfather to father to son.
Initially purchased by Robert Thomson in the early 1950s, the guitar has been a constant presence at family gatherings, its rich, warm tones filling the air as generations of Thomsons sing and play together.
Now, in the hands of Robert’s grandson, Michael, the guitar continues to be a symbol of the family’s shared love of music and a tangible connection to their heritage.
The story of the guitar that survived a plane crash
Peter Frampton‘s “Phenix” Les Paul guitar is a testament to the resilience and indomitable spirit of rock and roll.
The guitar, which was presumed lost in a plane crash in 1980 that claimed most of Frampton’s equipment, miraculously survived the incident and was recovered from the wreckage, earning it the nickname “Phenix” as a nod to its incredible resurrection.
Despite the scars and damage it sustained in the crash, the Phenix Les Paul remains a cherished part of Frampton’s collection, a symbol of his perseverance and the enduring power of music to triumph over adversity.
The guitar that was used to compose a hit song in a dream
The story of the guitar used to compose Aerosmith‘s hit song “Dream On” in a dream has become a legendary tale in the annals of rock music.
According to the band’s lead guitarist, Joe Perry, he awoke one night with the melody and chord progression for the song fully formed in his mind, having dreamt of playing it on a particular guitar.
Perry instantly grabbed the instrument upon waking and played what he had heard in his dream, capturing the core of the song that would become one of Aerosmith’s most iconic and enduring compositions.
The guitar, now a cherished part of Perry’s collection, serves as a tangible reminder of the mysterious and often serendipitous nature of the creative process and the power of dreams to inspire great works of art.
The instrument that was played in space by an astronaut
The acoustic Larrivée guitar that was played in space by astronaut Chris Hadfield has become an iconic symbol of the enduring connection between music and human exploration.
The custom-made guitar, specially designed to withstand the rigors of space travel, accompanied Hadfield to the International Space Station in 2015.
There, he recorded a series of memorable performances that captivated audiences worldwide.
Hadfield’s rendition of David Bowie‘s “Space Oddity” on the Larrivée guitar has since become a legendary moment in the history of space exploration. It serves as a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and unite people across the globe.
The guitar that was used in a famous magic trick
Chris Funk, a renowned illusionist from Chilliwack, British Columbia, is known for his mind-bending magic tricks. One of his most memorable illusions involves a guitar that seems to defy the laws of physics.
During the trick, Funk appears to effortlessly manipulate the guitar, making it seem as if it is floating in mid-air or even passing through solid objects.
This captivating illusion showcases Funk’s mastery of sleight of hand and his ability to create a sense of wonder and amazement in his audiences.
ELECTRIC GUITARS WE LOVE
Gretsch G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins
FEATURES: Period-correct version of Chet Atkins's hollow-body electric guitar
OTHER INFO: TV Jones T'Armond pickups yield sweet vintage character
- The arched maple body delivers a deliciously snappy, open-tone
- Highly playable Standard U-shaped maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
- Expensive for players on a budget
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Yamaha SG1802, Gold Top
FEATURES: Scale Length: 24.75''
OTHER INFO: Maple/Mahogany Body
- Outstanding tonal range suitable for various music genres
- Smooth playability with a comfortable neck profile
- High-quality hardware for tuning stability and durability
- Elegant design with gold hardware adds a touch of sophistication
- Comes with a hard case for secure transport and storage
- Higher price point compared to some other guitars in its class
- Limited color options
- Requires careful maintenance to preserve the gold finish
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Gibson 70s Les Paul Deluxe, 70s Cherry Sunburst
FEATURES: Strings: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
OTHER INFO: Hardshell Case (Included)
- Rich and warm tone reminiscent of the classic '70s rock era
- Comfortable and iconic Les Paul body design
- Versatile mini-humbuckers deliver a unique sonic character
- Eye-catching Cherry Sunburst finish adds vintage appeal
- Smooth playability and fast neck for expressive performance
- Heaviest among Gibson's new Les Paul models.
- Neck pickup's reverse tilt may appear aesthetically off
- Limited color options
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Behind 10 Iconic Guitar Stories:
The Stranger-Than-Fiction Saga
From the guitar that survived a plane crash to the instrument that was used to communicate with spirits, these 10 bizarre guitar stories showcase the incredible and often unexpected ways in which music and history can intersect.
Each tale, though seemingly fantastic, is rooted in truth, serving as a testament to the guitar’s enduring power to capture our imaginations and create lasting legends.
Whether it’s through unlikely reunions, supernatural encounters, or acts of thievery and redemption, these stories remind us that behind every guitar lies a wealth of untold tales waiting to be discovered and shared with the world.
hey, does anyone know if the guitar played in space is coming back? i wanna see it!
lol imagine using a guitar as a weapon. was that before or after they tried it as a shovel?
Indeed, in various cultures, instruments were dual-purpose. Not uncommon at all.
Actually, it’s a historical fact! Guitars have been used in self-defense scenarios more often than we realize.
The story of the guitar used in space is by far the one that intrigues me the most. The idea that an instrument designed on Earth can bring melody to the void of space is nothing short of poetic. Do we know what make and model was played aboard the spacecraft? It would be a prized piece for any collection.
Absolutely fascinating collection of stories, Lewis Turner. Its amazing to think about the history some of these guitars have, especially the one that got lost for 50 years. Makes you wonder what stories the instruments in our own classrooms might tell if they could speak. I’ll definitely be sharing this with my students; it’s a great way to get them interested in the history of music. Thanks for compiling this!