John Lennon’s “Paperback Writer” Guitar just sold for $530k

After an arduous selling process that commenced in November, the famed guitar John Lennon used while recording “Paperback Writer” has sold for $530,000. The guitar originally went to auction in November, however it failed to meet it’s $600,000 reserve. Negotiations have been ongoing since with Indianapolis Colts owner and Guitar aficionado, Jim Irsay.

The guitar was a Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Nashville model hollow body guitar.

Jim Irsay’s guitar curator (yes, guitar curator for Irsay’s guitar collection consisting of over 175 guitars) has been the one primarily responsible for negotiating the $530,000 figure with Lennon’s cousin, John Birch. Birch acquired the guitar in 1967 while visiting Lennon’s home. Birch acquired the guitar for free after asking his cousin if he had any spare guitars laying around (not a bad investment strategy).

This is the second time in a month a guitar has made headlines for fetching six figures. In mid February the legendary Les Paul’s original Black Beauty went to auction and was sold for $335,500 – also to Indy Colt’s owner Jim Irsay. Irsay’s guitar curator has had one busy month!