Johnny Ramone’s primary guitar from 1977-1996 was just sold for nearly $1 million at an auction.
The 1965 Mosrite Ventures II electric guitar was put up for auction via RR Auction as the winning bid came in at a whopping $937,500.
The guitar was sold by Daniel Rey, who produced several Ramones albums and collaborated with the band. According to the listing, the back of the guitar was signed in black felt tip with “Johnny Ramone, My Main Guitar, 1977-1996” inscribed on it.
Ramone, real name John Cummings, “played this guitar at every Ramones performance until his retirement: from November 1977 through August 1996, for a total of approximately 1,985 shows,” a description on the listing reads. “Additionally, this guitar was used by Cummings for the recording of all 15 Ramones albums (studio and live) from this time period, and can be heard on any live Ramones bootleg from late 1977-1996, of which there are many.”
If it weren’t for an unfortunate incident after a Ramones gig, the guitar wouldn’t have the notoriety it does today. Ramone originally purchased the guitar in October 1977 after his original blue Ventures II slab body (along with other band gear) was stolen from a Sire Records van after a show in Chicago.
In a bit of irony, the listing notes that the “guitar had been offered to Cummings earlier in 1977, but he passed on it feeling it was too expensive at $500.”
Funny enough the guitar “was a little less than 10 times what he paid for his original Ventures II in 1974.”
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram