A c.1950s Penzel archtop guitar in natural finish. Owned and played by Randy Bachman, who has sold 40 million records worldwide as a member of The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and as a solo artist.

“Well, this is a really special guitar,” Randy beams as the case is opened, revealing this old Penzel archtop. “It’s got a real Rogers f-hole, it’s bound in abalone… it’s really great.”

This Penzel features a maple neck with a 21-fret, bound rosewood fretboard with large pearloid block inlays (red at the 12th) and a decorative white and faux tortoise shell headstock overlay with floral button tuners. A carved spruce top and flame maple back and sides, elaborately bound in abalone. The top has three sound holes: two f-style, one circular just below the neck, which gives it a unique sound compared to other archtops. Harp tailpiece, rosewood bridge base with adjustable bridge, white and tortoise striped pickguard.

“It’s a piece of artwork that was made by craftsmen all by hand, all with a lot of love,” Randy gushes. “Not many times you could take a sculpture down and play music on it!”

Includes harsher case.

PROVENANCE From The Collection of Randy Bachman

Guitars & Instruments, Randy Bachman