John Entwistle (The Who) & John Deacon (Queen) - Owned a...

Hammer

£22,000

John Entwistle (The Who) & John Deacon (Queen) - Owned and played 1986 Warwick Buzzard bass guitar, prototype no.5, made in West Germany, ser. no. B-005-00 86, Body: natural Zebrano wood, a few small hairline splits, minor play marks, Neck: wenge thru-neck; Fretboard: wenge with arabic numeral position markers; Frets: minor wear; Electrics: working, EMG active pickups; Hardware: good; Case: fitted flight case bearing various transit labels; Weight: 4.28kg; Overall condition: good

*Ex Lot 265, The John Entwistle Collection, Sotheby’s, London, 13 May 2003

The fifth prototype Warwick Buzzard bass made for John Entwistle of The Who in 1986. This instrument was used and retained by Entwistle until his passing on 27 June 2002 and was subsequently sold by Sotheby’s as part of his estate in May 2003.

Photo-matched images confirm the bass’s appearance in Entwistle’s book Bass Culture, as well as in other published photographs, including a notable image of the instrument resting on the bar in his home (see accompanying images).

Following the Sotheby’s sale, further information emerged indicating that the bass was loaned to John Deacon of Queen. Grain-matched video evidence shows Deacon playing the instrument in the video for Queen’s 1986 single “Friends Will Be Friends”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AIlz08fZos&list=RD0AIlz08fZos&start_radio=1, as well as performing with it live at the Montreux Pop Festival in 1986: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MIM1PeKrK0&list=RD_MIM1PeKrK0&start_radio=1

The bass is sold with the original purchase receipt, lot tags, and sale catalogue from the 2003 Sotheby’s auction.

The Warwick Buzzard Bass

Originally designed in collaboration with John Entwistle, the Warwick Buzzard bass is among the most distinctive and innovative instruments produced by the German manufacturer. Introduced in the mid-1980s, it combined Warwick’s precision craftsmanship with Entwistle’s pursuit of power, balance, and individuality.

With its radical body shape, active electronics, and unmistakably aggressive tone, the Buzzard quickly became an icon of Entwistle’s later sound. Constructed from premium tonewoods with through-neck design, it offers exceptional sustain and clarity. Produced in limited numbers, the Buzzard remains one of Warwick’s most collectable and recognisable creations, forever associated with Entwistle’s groundbreaking musicianship and style.

This bass presents a rare opportunity to acquire a significant piece of intertwined music history, connecting John Entwistle, The Who, John Deacon, Queen, and Warwick’s legacy of innovative bass design.