Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

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Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

Postby Razzmataz » Thu Jul 16, 2015 1:58 pm

Saw this on e-bay just now. Do you think we should tell the seller that he either has a fake or is dealing in stolen goods? :roll:


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPERB-Origin ... 1a02e2e5f5

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Re: Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

Postby JimN » Thu Jul 16, 2015 2:30 pm

It is unlikely to be the guitar that was stolen in 1972.

That not only had a bound neck (plus original scroll headstock), but also a Baldwin name-badge scratchplate section (by that time, at least).

It's not impossible that this was a guitar supplied to Hank earlier on and later swapped out for a newer one, but what's the provenance?
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Re: Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

Postby AlanMcKillop » Thu Jul 16, 2015 2:46 pm

Look at the screws in the upper horn decals.
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Re: Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

Postby JimN » Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:55 pm

On reflection, the seller isn't really making any extravagant claims about its being one of Hank's own guitars.

He just says: "Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin himself", which can be understood either as meaning that this example was Hank's property or that this model was Hank's personal model, in the manner of the Les Paul Recording, the 6122 Country Gent or the Gibson Barney Kessel.

Certainly, he does not try to add any more than that to the claim.

Price seems a bit high, though.
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Re: Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

Postby dusty fretz » Thu Jul 16, 2015 7:03 pm

This particular Marvin was up for grabs on the internet a few months ago from an American seller. The stated provenance was the same, but with the illuminating explanation that it was based on the fact that Hank Marvin's signature actually appears on the instrument's vibrato plate, this so-called 'personal touch' obviously being considered sufficient to make such a claim.
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Re: Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

Postby Iain Purdon » Fri Jul 17, 2015 10:49 am

Interesting. Would you sign your own guitar?
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Re: Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

Postby George Geddes » Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:38 am

Barry Gibson had a Marvin on display at Shadowmania several years ago which was believed to have been Hank's... I have a photo somewhere!

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Re: Said to be the personal guitar of Hank B Marvin

Postby dusty fretz » Fri Jul 17, 2015 2:25 pm

Presumably the American dealer was unaware that all 60s Marvins carried the man's signature and therefore thought the presence of such an engraved autograph somehow made it special to Hank himself. In chronological terms, this example displays an odd mix of features. The control knobs are the original, handmade type, as indicated by their high-shouldered plastic skirts, and the selector switch is equally early, likewise its location. In contrast, the Rez-O-Matik covers carry the later style engraving, while polepiece spacing is the same on all three pickups. The two small scratchplate sections are secured with screws, with one or two extra in evidence, and somewhat disconcertingly, the centre section doesn't completely cover the control cavity down by the jack socket, although the fade pattern of the finish suggests a different story. The foil on the underside of the scratchplate seems suspiciously neat and wrinkle-free, while the post-painting woodwork in the cavity is a mite worrying, indicating some whittling was necessary to accommodate the current switch and its position - another clue to a possible previous scratchplate swap. Finally, the serial number strongly points to a 1965 production date, which again contradicts the age of some components. All in all, it's a bit of a mutt's meal, or at least an oldie with enough debatable aspects to make the asking price less appealing.
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