Robben Ford Discussion

Bill Morgan · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:45 pm Post subject: How much would you pay?

If Robben decided to sell his original RF guitar, serial #1, built by John Carruthers, how much would you pay for it? $10,000? $20,000? $30,000? It's gotta be the holy grail for a lot of us. But I'm sure it would be out of my price range.

Bill

Bill Morgan · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:05 pm Post subject: No takers?

No one has any thoughts on the value of Robben's guitar? This is an iconic guitar that probably belongs in a Hall of Fame somewhere! Surely some of you must have an opinion on what it would be worth.

Bill

PierreL · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:15 am Post subject:

To be honest Bill, I have no clue.

diatonicdude · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 4:46 am Post subject:

Bill,

I would sell all my worldly (music) possessions to own it + any spare cash, but unfortunately for me I do't think it would be enough.

It's a very tough one to gauge, and I guess we all would be a little over zealous with quantifing the value based on our admiration for the man and his music.

The fact is although Robben is iconic and hugely respected in the music community, he isn't recognised as being a Hendrix ("burnt" strat) or Clapton ("Blackie" strat) to the general masses so the guitar would only generate a fraction of the value of those guitars of Hendrix or Clapton. That said, I'm guessing that anyone with the cash would be willing to pay between $20K to $30K as you stated.

If Robben is thinking with parting with it we can only hope he might allow the guitar to be raffled off to all board members, and if for money, all proceedings going to charity. Cool

.

DD
_________________
Music is the universal language; speak it with emotion, listen with a passion.

PierreL · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 7:29 am Post subject:

I actually think that his tan Dumble would generate more interest than his guitars.

diatonicdude · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:56 am Post subject:

Linville · Member Joined: 22 Jul 2012 Posts: 40 Location: N.C.

frank0936 · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:13 am Post subject: how much?

I may be the lone dissenter, and I am wearing my flame proof underwear so here goes:
I am a musician - not anywhere near Robben's class - but a musician nonetheless. I buy guitars to play, not to hang on the wall and look at. Soooo, I wouldn't pay any more for number one than I would for a new one. I'll bet number 1 would take some work to get back in playing shape (but maybe not), and besides all that, the mojo is in the man- not the guitar.
Robben would differ with me (and has), but the great sound he gets is because of his great hands and wonderful musical background.

Bill Morgan · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 3:23 pm Post subject:

I'd love to own that guitar, it would make a good companion to the Red Lady, but there is no way I could spend that kind of money for a guitar. My last guitar cost $500 and I'm really enjoying it. It's not necessarily the price that makes for a good guitar. In any case, it would be interesting to see what happens if Robben did decide to sell #1.

Bill

JackD · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 6:43 pm Post subject:

If that guitar is the original one that Fender first made for Robben, then I actually got to play that guitar. I was at GIT and Robben was doing Friday labs. At the time, he was playing mostly his '58 dot neck (I got to play that guitar too). One day, Robben brought in this new guitar that he said Fender had made for him. We all got to check it out and Robben let me play it. That was very cool.

PaulG · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:20 am Post subject:

This is an interesting question, Bill.
I'll admit that years ago, I scoured the web, pricing out various Esprits and RF models, thinking that just might give me a lift in my playing.
Oh, if it were just that simple!
I've since bought a few nice guitars, doing justice to none of them.
So, I don't think I would go too high in the bidding, if it ever went up for sale. Although I would not question it's place in guitar history.

I would love to see Vintage Guitar magazine do an article on this guitar. Maybe they have, but now that it's been retired for the last decade or so, it might be time to look at it again.

I find it courious that no other artist I know (except Garth Webber) uses these guitars. If others did, that might increase the value.
Why do you think no one plays these?

PierreL · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:34 am Post subject:

Actually, the guitar which would be associated with Robben might rather be his early 60's Tele don't you think ?

AlChuck · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:54 pm Post subject:

PierreL, the guitar they are talking about was endorsed by Robben, that's why it's associated with him in this context. If you were to talk about guitars he's played most often or for the longest time span, that Tele would probably be the one for sure.

Bill Morgan · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:47 pm Post subject:

PaulG · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:58 am Post subject:

Perhaps it's a professional 'ownership' thing. Many pros refrain from performing another artists 'signature' songs. Perhaps it's uncool to play another artists 'signature' guitar.

Still a bit sad, as those models are unique in both looks and tone.