Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rich on July 6, 2013 at 9:24pm

I think it's Stephen Stills.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on July 6, 2013 at 9:36pm

I agree with Rich, that looks like Still's signature to me, although much neater than normal.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Kosten on July 6, 2013 at 9:37pm

As usual, Rich you are awesome!  thank you!  time to sell this bad boy!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Innuendo on July 6, 2013 at 9:39pm

Geez, how small was the pen he signed it with then? You're a lucky guy, Mike

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on July 6, 2013 at 10:13pm

I believe it's a facsimile, but it appears to be an actual Stills pick - i.e. one he may have used at a concert.  The problem with picks is that verifying their usage (used live in a concert, used in a soundcheck, used only by the guitar tech, etc).  Is generally difficult, if not impossible to verify (or prove).  The amount of wear and tear on it can be indicative, but not conclusive.  I have a couple of picks (The Edge and Ritzy Bryan), but I have no idea how/when/to what extent they were used.

Regardless, they can be highly sought after by collectors.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on July 7, 2013 at 12:57pm

Your correct Rich, its definetly a facsimile. I didnt think we were talking about an authentic graph, i thought it was just about I.D.'ing the sig. I have actually seen quite a few versions of Stills signature, both facsimile and real. This is a much neater version of the printed signatures i am used to seeing. I just finished buying a nice photo of Stills, and in researching him, had to wade through quite a few printed pieces. The pick looks very cool, but as Rich said you have to be careful, b/c most artists, and people on ebay sell guitar picks with these facsimile signatures on them. They can typically be had for about a dollar. So they really arent worth anything. If this pick was stage used though, then its a different story. Or even an official Stills pick probably will go for 5 dollar or so. But in my opinion this is for sure a printed signature, and has no or little value as an autographed item.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on July 7, 2013 at 1:15pm

You'd be surprised what some of these picks go for.  While some can be had for a dollar, some are legitimately rare (or at least collectible) and used exclusively on the tour - or, in some instances, used for promotional purposes.  These go for a bit more.

Mark Baker (our resident U2 superfan), in addition to being knowledgeable about U2 graphs is also a U2 pick collector.  He might have a bit more insight on pick collecting.

These are the only two guitar picks I own:  The Edge from U2 (360 Tour) on the left, Ritzy Bryan from The Joy Formidable (Wolf's Law Tour) on the right.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Innuendo on July 6, 2013 at 10:53pm

I was hoping my humor would get across ;) I agree with you, Rich. I'd like to see your pick from The Edge sometime. I got a chance to see U2 a few years back in Houston. It was a wonderful show. I also got to go to Wembley and see live aid back in 85. I believe that will always be one of their best shows.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on July 6, 2013 at 11:13pm

Wow.  Many, many (i.e. all) U2 fans would be jealous that you got to see them at such a huge turning point in their careers. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Innuendo on July 6, 2013 at 11:34pm

Well let me tell you, it was a highlight in my life as well. I'm a massive queen fan, so I was very happy I could afford to go. It was actually how my wife and I spent our honey moon. But we do love us some U2 as well, so it sweetened the pot. It pays to be an old man somtimes! I tell my kids all the time how lucky I was to be able to see the greats in the height if their careers. I got to see MJ solo in the 80s and with J5 in the 70s. Elton john a few times at Madison Square Garden. Phil Collins, the Police. My kids don't believe us when we tell them how much a ticket to see these guys were. I can remember going to see Driana Ross and the Supremes, and only paying about $10 if that. And the back of the ticket was a Wendy's coupon. I only paid $25 to see MJ during the Bad Tour. John Lennon and Yoko Ono in NY I paid around $15. Fleetwood Mac and Journey ran me $8 each. Live Aid tickets were a gift.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Innuendo on July 6, 2013 at 11:39pm

I take that back about Ross and the Supremes. It was early 70s late 60s, so I pro ably paid around $5 or $6. Sure wish ticket prices would get back to those rates.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on July 7, 2013 at 10:14am

That's a pretty impressive concert resume.  Insane bargains too, by today's standards.  I paid $200 for a terrible GNR show last year.

• ▶ Reply