574

Lot #574: OASIS - Noel Gallagher's First Prototype Gibson/Epiphone Supernova Guitar

Currency:GBP Category:Memorabilia / Music Memorabilia Start Price:17,500.00 GBP Estimated At:35,000.00 - 70,000.00 GBP
Lot #574: OASIS - Noel Gallagher's First Prototype Gibson/Epiphone Supernova Guitar
Please note that all bids placed through 3rd party platforms will be subject to a buyer's expense of 5%. There is no fee for bids placed on propstoreauction.com

Day 1 and 2 of the auction will be held live with in-person bidding on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th November 2023 at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LN.

Please note in-person bidding is not available on Days 3 and 4 (Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November), bids can be placed online or via telephone or written absentee form.
OASIS - Noel Gallagher's First Prototype Gibson/Epiphone Supernova Guitar

A first-ever prototype of the Epiphone Supernova signature guitar made for Noel Gallagher and used during his time in the British band Oasis. Although the signature production guitars are Epiphone, this prototype was made by Gibson in the US. Gallagher's guitar tech Jason Rhodes picked up this prototype from Gibson in London, and initially the prototype had a trapeze tailpiece installed. However, Gallagher didn't like this component, so the instrument was returned to Gibson for adjustment and a stop-bar tailpiece was added. Pleased with the guitar, Gallagher used it during the recording of Be Here Now, which became the biggest-selling album of that year and the fastest-selling album in the UK. in 1997. The official Epiphone Supernova guitars were not constructed until 1997 after recording Be Here Now was complete.

The guitar can be seen in images taken by acclaimed rock photographer Jill Furmanovsky during the recording sessions of Be Here Now at Abbey Road and Air Studios. A photo of Gallagher playing this prototype guitar can also be seen on page 22 in Issue 36 of Total Guitar magazine, published in October 1997. The prototype also features on page 5 in the "Recording Of Be Here Now" booklet. The image shows the guitar in its stand in front of Liam Gallagher in Abbey Road.

There are several differences between the final production guitars and this prototype. This prototype Epiphone, serial number "X960005650", features a rosewood fingerboard, a Gibson ES-345 body finished in a "man city" blue Nitrocellulose lacquer, and nickel hardware. It features a large blank truss rod cover, Gibson PAF's (probably 57 classics) pickups, a pearlescent scratchplate, two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a selector switch. Gallagher's signature is engraved on the scratch plate. The engraved signature proved too expensive to replicate on the thousands of production guitars. Also, the internal wiring within the body is braided, which is only featured on expensive Gibson guitars. The production guitars displayed a thick poly lighter blue finish, chrome hardware, Epiphone pickups, a smaller truss rod cover with "Supernova" printed onto it, a scratchplate with a printed version of Gallagher's signature, and plastic-coated internal wiring within the body.

The guitar comes with a black leather protective case lined with dark grey faux fur, and "Oasis" is stencilled in white on the exterior. A strip of tape of the case exterior displays handwritten text which reads "Blue Sign Proto". The case also contains Gallagher's original strings. There are signs of ageing on the nickel, two minor cracks on the back of the guitar, and scuffing on the leather.

Included is a signed letter of provenance from Rhodes, photographic evidence of the previous owner and Rhodes with the guitar, a Be Here Now Fanclub Box Set CD complete with the "Recording Of Be Here Now" booklet; a copy of issue 36 of Total Guitar magazine; an issue of Guitarist magazine published in November 1997. Both magazines contain articles and reviews of the production Supernova model. Dimensions (guitar): 108 cm x 40 cm x 6 cm (42 1/2" x 15 3/4" x 2 1/4")

Contains electronics; see electronics notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Contains Organic Materials, see notice in the Buyer's Guide

Additional Information:



In certain light, you can make out the Gibson crown symbol under the paint on the headstock of the guitar. This suggests the guitar is mainly a Gibson ES-345 that has had the headstock shaped to that of an Epiphone Riviera.

Estimate: GBP 35000 - 70000 M

Bidding for this lot will end on Friday, November 10th. The auction will begin at 3:00PM BST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, November 9th, Saturday, November 11th or Sunday, November 12th.