George Harrison has in his collection a number of Gibson SG guitars. One eventually is given to Pete Ham of Badfinger by 1970. An SG with Vibrato arm is seen here in this promotional video for "Rain". These instruments were used during the recording of "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver".
The Beatles commission the Dutch Art group "The Fool" to decorate their new Apple boutique in London.
The Fool also paints one of John Lennon's Epiphone acoustics, George's 1961 Stratocaster "Rocky" and one of his SGs. It is believed this was done just prior or after Eric Clapton acquired it. The paint job, though brilliantly colored, is not a proper re-finish. Oil based "Brush on" enamels are used. Even the fretboard and neck are painted. The Cars' Elliot Easton had an opportunity to play it decades later and was amazed that Clapton could stand it considering all the "lumps of paint" on the neck. In fact, Easton played the guitar after it was restored. Eric had sanded the paint off the back of the neck because it was flaking off of the cheap white primer coat while he played.Clapton used this guitar for the Cream American tours in 1967 and 1968. This Gibson can be seen in photos at the Grande and heard on the audio recordings.
1969 Clapton loans the Guitar to Apple recording artist Jackie Lomax possibly via George Harrison.
The guitar changes hands when Todd Rundgren acquires it. Stories conflict whether he paid Lomax or a pawn shop $500 dollars for the instrument. Rundgren replaces the vibrato tailpiece with a fixed "Stop" tailpiece and re-christens it "Sunny".
The guitar is sold by Rundgren in a quiet auction at Sotheby's for $150,000. Attendance at the auction is light as it is assumed this instrument is one of a handful of reproductions Rundgren had made.
1969
2000
2007
Authentic reproductions, complete with paint job are made available.
1971
1968
Clapton demonstrates the Psychedelic SG for British film makers. See clip at right >>
