The Beatles interest - commissioned Vox Kensington replica h...

Hammer

£2,700

The Beatles interest - commissioned Vox Kensington replica hollow body electric guitar; Body: mahogany; Neck: good; Fretboard: Indian rosewood; Frets: good; Electrics: working, Bare Knuckle single coil pickups; Hardware: good, Phantom Guitars replica bridge; Case: Ritter gig bag; Weight: 2.89kg; Overall condition: very good

*The original Vox Kensington replica guitar was created by Mick Bennett in the JMI/Vox Dartford workshop for a 1966 trade show, without the push button electronics. It was then taken back into the factory where the push buttons with all the effects were added. The guitar was presented to The Beatles in mid 1967. The guitar was seen with George during the filming of the 'I Am the Walrus' section of The Magical Mystery Tour film, although didn't appear in the final cut. Similarly, John is seen with it during filming of the 'Hello Goodbye' video but again it did not make the final cut. There is also a photograph showing the guitar next to George Harrison's Rocky Strat at Abbey Road. Donovan is also seen playing the guitar. After late 1967, the guitar was given to The Beatles' friend 'Magic' Alex where it stayed for decades until it was auctioned off in 2013 for £269,000

There was only ever one of the Kensington guitar made by Vox. The vendor had two replicas made, based on photographs available on the internet, plus his knowledge of how the effects are wired through repairing similarly equipped Vox Phantom Specials. The first one sold to a Beatles collector in Paraguay with this being the second. The guitar is made of mahogany with walnut scratchplate, pickup surrounds, bridge plinth and string anchor. The fingerboard is Indian rosewood. The pickups are both Bare Knuckle single coils. The bridge is from Phantom Guitars, USA who make excellent replicas of the Phantom and Mark Series guitars