FS: 1998 Gibson Tal Farlow - The Last Tal Farlow delivered to Tal by Gibson - full documentation

danishbacon

This is a guitar that made me truly fall in love with jazz guitar and pushed me to improve my playing.

I've shared some details about it on the forum in the past, life is changing and it's come time to me to find a new custodian for it.

This guitar was the very last one delivered to the master of bebop himself prior to his passing.

Unusually, it includes an absolute library of documentation, recording its chain of custody from Tal to me, evidenced by invoice, shipping label, letters from the first owner after it was purchased by a dealer directly from Tal, then sold by archtop.com on his behalf to a friend of mine, then me. It also includes a number of letters from Tal's widow as well as an original press photograph and a beautiful book that narrates the history of jazz guitar (and jazz in general) according to Tal's recording chronology.

Beyond the history and provenance, it's hands down the best Gibson arch top I've ever owned, built at the time Hutch was at the leadership of the shop.

I will also include a number of reference prices from other Tal owned instruments. After Tal passed away, Rudy Pensa held a sale of his instruments, cheapest one was U$30k and his prototype sold for $100k.

The 'sister' instrument that is also referenced on the invoice was available in the US a number of years ago for £18k+ and one other available for $35k. Both no longer on the market and did not have the wealth of provenance documentation that this one comes with.

I've had interest on it for consignment at a prominent shop, but would prefer to sell it directly to another forum member at a price that places it below some vintage examples that were not owned or played by Tal.

The price is £15k, which is a bit cheaper than the Murphy Lab Greeny and I will naturally discuss the best way of getting it to you, in person, or welcome you to my home in South Wales for a play.







   

dcg

Absolutely beautiful instrument, and gripping provenance...Tal's signature Gibson has always been one of my favourite archtops, and although I can't remotely afford to buy this, it's a privilege to see such a fabulous guitar.  Thank you!  

lesyeuxnoirs

Goodness - this is a post that I didn’t ever expect to see 

@danishbacon is a gent. You can buy with confidence

joeW

I just choked on my sangria (on hols).  What a wonderful piece of history 

joeW

Does it make Cherokee at 330 any easier????

danishbacon

joeW said:

Does it make Cherokee at 330 any easier????

Depends on how much sangria I’ve had. 

grappagreen

That’s a wow from me.. amazing 

rze99

Extraordinary and beautiful. 

FreddieVanHalen

Wow! Sadly I have neither the chops nor the funds to justify this.

OP is a gent, so if this has your name on it deal with confidence 

danishbacon

Thanks all - it’s a special instrument that has been an absolute pleasure to own, inspiring dare I say.

I managed to dig out photos from the sale at Rudy’s back in 2017

If you’ve not seen it before, the 50 min documentary is beautiful and really speaks to the nature of the man. 

https://youtu.be/N19ulSBHXOg?si=BZCFoUWlrENMbRTk

Kalimna

That is a truly spectacular instrument. Would you take a kidney in p/x?

roberty

Jinkies!

ToneControl

Would it not be more effective to sell it on commission in the USA?

danishbacon

Kalimna said:

That is a truly spectacular instrument. Would you take a kidney in p/x?

Thank you no refrigerated storage suitable for a kidney I’m afraid but I am happy to consider a guitar or watch even in partial trade

danishbacon

ToneControl said:

Would it not be more effective to sell it on commission in the USA?

Likely and I do have a few options there but I’d prefer not to subject it to another transatlantic journey and they already have interesting guitars in the US market, historical guitars like this are less prominent in the UK/EU so it would be nice for it to go to an appreciative home here, even if it means selling it for less than in the US.

Thanks to those who have reached out with ideas and offers I do appreciate it. 

JerkMoans

Mother of babbling Christ: that’s lovely.

danishbacon

 2/3rds of this Polkadots and Moonbeams arrangement by Chris Whiteman

https://youtu.be/IY18WzwJLsw?si=_1KBmcCSQysgWEDF

joeW

Sounds awesome 

DB1

I never thought that I'd see this one for sale. Having had the chance to play it briefly some time ago, I can confirm that it's as wonderful to play as it looks. It goes without saying that @danishbacon is an absolutely top bloke to deal with, too.

If I had the money, I would buy this like a shot.

lesyeuxnoirs

DB1 said:

I never thought that I'd see this one for sale. Having had the chance to play it briefly some time ago, I can confirm that it's as wonderful to play as it looks. It goes without saying that @danishbacon is an absolutely top bloke to deal with, too.

If I had the money, I would buy this like a shot.

Frankly, Dave, I’m surprised and disappointed that you’re not already on the M4, with a well thumbed copy of  The Guide to Wales’ Sleaziest Lay-bys firmly  in hand 

DB1

Trust me, if I had the money, I'd ignore the restraining order and be outside Fred's house right now.