Hendrix Duo-Sonic up for sale

Jimi’s original guitar, from his time with the Isley Brothers, goes to auction on 2nd November 2010

From the press release:

“Lot 429 – Jimi Hendrix Blond (tan) ’59/ ’60 Duo-Sonic 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 Jim,and later sold the guitar in 1982 for £400 to Rod Weinberg, who in 1983 reunited the Animals for a world tour. In 1956, Fender introduced the Music Master and Duo-Sonic guitars as affordable “3/4-size” short-scale student models. The Duo Sonic was always a student level guitar. The Duo-Sonic is considered rare and has displayed growing collector value.”

Estimate £150,000 – £180,000 ($235,000 to $285,000).

Source: Press Release