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Beatles Signed Guitar: Authenticity Opinions Please!

Claimed to be signed by all four Beatles, the guitar below was sold by Rock Star Gallery in an auction they held on April 1, 2006. A portion of the proceeds from the 200-lot rock memorabilia auction benefited Phoenix Children's Hospital, which issued a press release promoting the auction [press release has been removed since this discussion was posted].

Click for larger image:

If you feel you know Beatles autographs well enough, please give your opinions on either each autograph, or an opinion on the entire group.

But instead of just saying genuine or fake, tell us how strongly you feel by calling them, in your opinion:

Definitely Genuine
Probably Genuine
No Opinion/Not Sure
Probably Fake
Definitely Fake

The following is Rock Star Gallery's March 2006 press release on the guitar and the auction:

From Beatles to Zeppelin -- Rare Guitar Signed By All Four Beatles Added to April 1st Auction

A rare Beatles autographed guitar will be added to auction and a top forensic expert to attend the live auction to further authenticate autographs for bidders.

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) March 28, 2006

Adding fuel to an already hot fire, a last minute addition of a very rare guitar is making the headlines again. “On top of seven rare signed Beatles albums, now bidders will have a shot at a very rare autographed guitar with all four signatures, with a very solid provenance,” commented Michael Dunn with Rock Star gallery.

The guitar is being flown in from Virginia by forensic expert Christopher Morales. Christopher will further review other ots in the auction for bidders who request further authentication. “All the lots in the auction already are covered by a guarantee and prior forensic expert review, however his presence will re-affirm any questions from live or online bidders about the authentication of any autograph in the auction” explained Michael. “It is wonderful Christopher can attend the live event” His resume will be posted shortly online.

Here is the story on how the autographs were obtained on the guitar:

“Dave Wakefield Sr., an avid Beatles fan from Virginia, worked for Baltimore City in the 70s and 80s. During that time period, a close friend of his, a police officer who moonlighted as event security at the Civic Center got Dave signed on as one of the extra event security workers. This provided him with the opportunity to be backstage for various events. He had the chance to meet and get the autographs of many performing artists who appeared at the Civic Center during this time period.

His primary work was done at the Civic Center, which became the Baltimore Arena. He also did security work at the MerriWeather Post Pavilion, the Capitol Center, Cole Field House, the Towson Center and RFK Stadium.

Three out of the four signatures on the Beatles guitar were acquired at these various venues (Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison). He was unable to acquire John Lennon's signature at any of these locations.

In early 1980, after several failed attempts to get the remaining signature to obtain the final autograph, he traveled to New York to attempt to get John Lennon's signature. He went to the Dakota, the building Lennon lived in, and waited patiently outside. On the second day, John Lennon came out on foot and Dave approached him. He explained that he had the other three Beatles signatures but was missing his. Lennon commented “.. of course, he needed the most important signature” and signed his guitar.

Dave Wakefield Sr. kept the guitar in his home in a case. A few years ago, he passed it on to his son who is now putting it up for auction.

Catalog: http://www.cbtechlive.com

Rare rock memorabilia to be auctioned April 1, 2006 a portion benefiting “Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Phoenix Children’s Hospital”. Also available for bid is a series of high-quality photographic prints from Robert M. Knight, one of the most prolific photographers in rock music history. The photographs include classic shots of such artists as Jeff Beck, Dave Matthews, John Mayer and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. Possible guest celebrities including world renowned rock photographer Robert Knight and friends will attend to auction off rare rock music photography to benefit the children.

Dave Wakefield Sr's son who consigned the guitar to the auction was reportedly Dave Wakefield Jr. Wakefield owns Rock and Roll Heaven in Clearwater, Florida.

Your opinions on this guitar are very important. Please don't give an opinion unless you feel that you know Beatles autographs well enough to judge these.

See file below for full-length image of guitar.

Thanks,

Steve

Tags: authenticity, beatles signed guitar, george harrison, john lennon, michael dunn, morales, paul mccartney, ringo, rock star gallery, wakefield

4 members like this

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 17, 2011 at 6:59pm

Does it look something like this one?

http://www.starmarks.net/1966-mint-hofner-bass-signed-beatles-p-164...

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 17, 2011 at 7:02pm

The same site, Starmarks, has had another Beatles-signed guitar for years:

http://www.starmarks.net/music-memorabilia-beatles-signed-autograph...

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Permalink Reply by Matthew D on August 17, 2011 at 7:08pm

Not at all. The guitar is mounted horizontally. There is a plaque that explains where the autographs were obtained. The only ones I remember are Paul at JFK airport and John outside the Dakota. The owner of the store said it was on consignment. It was $20k. Store is called "the art of music"

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Permalink Reply by Mike Digby on August 17, 2011 at 2:56pm

only a 5 should be more!!!!!!!!!! , not as a gift to my worst enemy. You dont have to be an expert to see that these are A1 crap

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Permalink Reply by Jet Jackson on August 17, 2011 at 3:03pm

Very weak forgery. #5. However Rock Star Gallery should be commended for employing mentally challenged individuals, who obviously did the forgeries for them.

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Permalink Reply by David K on August 17, 2011 at 3:13pm

I feel very sorry for people BUYING this crap. NUMBER 5....FYI there has NEVER been an authenticated BEATLES guitar sigend by all 4 on the FRONT--EVER known to exist. WHO is selling these fakes?

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Permalink Reply by David K on August 17, 2011 at 3:15pm

To identify--I am stating the autographs are ALSO fake--george harrsion has nEVER signed that way.awful forgery,,,,The Lennon is fake--too light to really make out. That is not MACCA either..sorry. MAYBE the RINGO is all that is real..and someone added the other 3 graphs and sold it...would anyone agree with that? (that the Ringo pickguard is real..)

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Permalink Reply by David K on August 17, 2011 at 3:17pm

ALSO-- WHO authenticated this for sale? Dont tell me PSA gave this one an OK?>??

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 17, 2011 at 3:57pm

Christopher Morales.

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Permalink Reply by David K on August 17, 2011 at 4:05pm

Steve..what us his web site /address for these fake auctions? That George Harrison and McCarntey forgeries should have immediately been red flagged as FAKE.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 17, 2011 at 4:28pm

David, did you read the entire write up? That will answer many of your questions.

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Permalink Reply by David K on August 17, 2011 at 4:34pm

Steve..I just took another look..and YES--it answered my questions. My concern is how anyone could hold their head up publicly and POST this guitar for auction as "REAL". Beatles autographs are well known..it is easy to see George and Paul did not sign this..the Lennon is so washed out--anyone could have signed it. I dont see how this earned a COA from anyone. if they are handing out COA's ..they can have my FAKE ? Dylan mandolin....but I have a conscience.. i cant rip people off.