More than 150 guitars belonging to The Who’s John Entwistle, who died last year, will be auctioned May 13 in London.
Entwistle’s favorite, a pink Fender Precision Bass named “Frankenstein” because he patched it together from the remains of five smashed basses, is expected to sell for $8,000 to $11,200, Sotheby’s auction house said this week.
Two rare electric guitars dating from 1958, which are valued at $48,000 to $80,000 each, are included in the auction.
The sale also features photographs, drawings, clothing, rare posters, jewelry, French horns and trumpets. Many of the lots for sale include private notes by Entwistle explaining his reasons for buying the items.
Sotheby’s said the collection is expected to fetch a total of $640,000.
Entwistle was one of the founding members of The Who, known for explosive shows that often culminated in the smashing of their musical instruments on stage.
The 57-year-old bass player was found dead in his Las Vegas hotel room on June 27, 2002, a day before the band was to start a three-month tour. A coroner said the causes of death were a combination of cocaine and heart disease.
