Event 2006 – The Auction (Mike Rutherford's Guitar)

On 21 October 2006, a very special rarity will be auctioned as part of our event. It is an original electric guitar belonging to Mike Rutherford, which is looking for a new owner.

The following is known about the instrument:

When Mike purchased the guitar and what he used it for is currently unknown to us. There is only one picture of the guitar together with Mike. It can be seen in Armando Gallo's book I Know What I Like and shows Mike in his home studio in 1979. The guitar is standing on the floor behind him. We have written to Mike and asked for information, but have not yet received a reply. We were unable to find any pictures of Mike with the guitar on stage or from before 1979. Mike probably gave the instrument away in 1981. It is likely that he used it for studio recordings (Smallcreep's Day, Duke or Abacab) between 1979 and 1981.

In 1981, Genesis's German record company at the time (Polygram) promised the guitar as a bonus to the sales representative who managed to sell the largest number of copies of the album Abacab. It ended up with a gentleman well over 50, who hung it in his party room and probably didn't pay much attention to it. It would probably still be hanging there if the current owner hadn't heard about the guitar and asked and probed until the Polygram employee sold it to him.

The guitar is now looking for a new owner. The new owner should not have to pay an exorbitant price for it on eBay, but should have a fair chance to purchase it at a reasonable price. In addition, the buyer should also be a fan and not just have the deepest pockets. Perhaps someone who is a guitarist will come along and play the instrument regularly, breathing new life into it.

These are the technical data we have available:

– Six-string Kramer electric guitar (model: probably from the DMZ 3000 series)
– Aluminium neck
– 1 volume control, 2 tone controls
– Jack output
– Additional pick-up (ARP guitar synthesiser) with XLR output
– Guitar case with 'Genesis' and 'Mike Rutherford' printed on it
– Clear signs of wear but no defects

Auction

During the event, the guitar changed hands for €980.

Photos