Peter Frampton can make a guitar talk, but he couldn't make his most-prized axe phone home from the Caribbean, where it had been lost for over 30 years. Fortunately for the rock legend, some enterprising fans were able to track down the Gibson Les Paul Custom (pictured at left) that he used on 'Frampton Comes Alive' and two Humble Pie albums.

In 1980, the 1954 guitar was among Frampton's equipment on a cargo plane that crashed while en route to Panama. All of the instruments were thought to be destroyed until it was located on the Dutch island of Curacao by two fans, one living there and one in Holland. With the assistance of the Curacao Tourist Board, by unknown means.

When the Curacao Tourist Board heard about the fans' search, they decided to help, tracking down the instrument to an unnamed individual. Once the guitar --which was also used on sessions with George Harrison and Harry Nilsson -- was found, it was reunited with Frampton in Nashville last month, and experts from Gibson confirmed it was the original.

"I am still in a state of shock, first off, that the guitar even exists, let alone that it has been returned to me," Frampton said in a statement. "I know I have my guitar back, but I will never forget the lives that were lost in this crash. I am so thankful for the efforts of those who made this possible ... And, now that it is back I am going insure it for 2 million dollars and it's never going out of my sight again! It was always my #1 guitar and it will be reinstated there as soon as possible -- some minor repairs are needed."

Dan Reilly AOL

Now if they could just find his hair!

He says he will insure it for 2 million dollars but what is the real value?

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The Sicilian
He says he will insure it for 2 million dollars but what is the real value?

As a heavily modified '54 Les Paul with aftermarket pick-ups probably around $5k in the current market.

As the guitar on the cover (or at least used on) one of the best-selling albums of the 70s - who knows?

I hope he uses it now, nothing quite like an old guitar.

He also got his old bass player, Stan Sheldon back after 30 years lol. I saw Frampton last summer and he was unreal. Played for almost four hours - did two sets, Frampton Comes Alive in its entirety the first set, then new stuff/Humble Pie/a couple of covers for the second set. He even has his son Julian sing on a tune he co-wrote with him.

I hope there's more where this came from

Is he Peter Frampton ?

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SwayStones
Is he Peter Frampton ?

Yes, that's what he looks like now. Probably playing better than ever, he's been sober for awhile. He actually runs his facebook page, and responds to people when they post things. One time a guy said he had a Les Paul just like Frampton's and that he was going to Frampton's next show, and so they had the guy come backstage, and Frampton not only signed the guitar, but he played it for the entire first set.

Going to see Pete in March out here in Calif. Saw him play that guitar back in the 70's...

MLC

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Brue
Yes, that's what he looks like now. Probably playing better than ever, he's been sober for awhile. He actually runs his facebook page, and responds to people when they post things. One time a guy said he had a Les Paul just like Frampton's and that he was going to Frampton's next show, and so they had the guy come backstage, and Frampton not only signed the guitar, but he played it for the entire first set.

I can't think of a better compliment for a musician to extend to a fan. That was totally classy.

Great story. Makes me happy!!!! I've read a few storys over the years about how this guitar was lost!! Frampton is a great player.

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Elmo Lewis
Now if they could just find his hair!

Stupid comment.

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More Hot Rocks

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Elmo Lewis
Now if they could just find his hair!

Stupid comment.

No. It's funny.

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loog droog

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More Hot Rocks

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Elmo Lewis
Now if they could just find his hair!

Stupid comment.

No. It's funny.

I guess you could say that about Mick Jones of The Clash, too.
Unless it's "Uh, but you don't understand...London Calling...uh...
they were...don't make fun of the Clash, man."
And I love the Clash, so no cards and letters.
I met Frampton a couple times. Hell of a nice guy.

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More Hot Rocks

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Elmo Lewis
Now if they could just find his hair!

Stupid comment.

Get a sense of humor. I guess you're bald too. Or maybe have Mick's problem.

"No Anchovies, Please"

BTW, I like lots of Framptons' music and have even been to see him. He just needs one of Mick's wigs.

Gee we went from Framptons guitar to Mick's hair in a flash.

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Elmo Lewis

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More Hot Rocks

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Elmo Lewis
Now if they could just find his hair!

Stupid comment.

Get a sense of humor. I guess you're bald too. Or maybe have Mick's problem.

Yeah I have hair and a sense of humor. I bet you have a fat wife.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-01-05 21:20 by More Hot Rocks.

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loog droog

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More Hot Rocks

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Elmo Lewis
Now if they could just find his hair!

Stupid comment.

No. It's funny.

I thought it was funny to (if it wasn't for some fun I was out here long time ago) thank Elmo

__________________________

Hair, like clothes, doth not make the man!

"One time a guy said he had a Les Paul just like Frampton's and that he was going to Frampton's next show, and so they had the guy come backstage, and Frampton not only signed the guitar, but he played it for the entire first set"

Pretty bold move cos I've heard the current production of Les Pauls are not that good...

More...

Well, maybe Frampton and Keith could get a twofer 1 if they both visited Elton John's hair implant specialist.

Keith has tried in vain, cheap implants (failed), hair poltus and the like. Why not just Elton's specialist?

I hope he wears his bald head proudly like a mink stoll! Baldness is a gift given mostly to men who have survived the shallow self indulgent period where hair was important and lived long enough to not give a shit!

That being said , hats are kinda cool and yes I definately have a few less hairs than I had at 19 years old. Still too many for my mom's taste....

Glad Peter got his guitar back! Have you guys heard the track he did with Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, called "Cornerstones". Its a hip instrument with a nice toned Frampton guitar tastefully soloing over the best rhythm section in the business! He seems to be a class act and very approachable from what I've read on this board. Hats off (then back on) to you Peter! peace.

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More Hot Rocks

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Elmo Lewis

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More Hot Rocks

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Elmo Lewis
Now if they could just find his hair!

Stupid comment.

Get a sense of humor. I guess you're bald too. Or maybe have Mick's problem.

Yeah I have hair and a sense of humor. I bet you have a fat wife.

Actually, she's really cute (like me).

"No Anchovies, Please"

There's a looooong and detailed thread (31 pages) about the guitar if anyone is interested.

[www.mylespaul.com]

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Naturalust
I hope he wears his bald head proudly like a mink stoll! Baldness is a gift given mostly to men who have survived the shallow self indulgent period where hair was important and lived long enough to not give a shit!

That being said , hats are kinda cool and yes I definately have a few less hairs than I had at 19 years old. Still too many for my mom's taste....

Glad Peter got his guitar back! Have you guys heard the track he did with Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, called "Cornerstones". Its a hip instrument with a nice toned Frampton guitar tastefully soloing over the best rhythm section in the business! He seems to be a class act and very approachable from what I've read on this board. Hats off (then back on) to you Peter! peace.

There are a few perfect heads. The rest have hair on them

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open-g
There's a looooong and detailed thread (31 pages) about the guitar if anyone is interested.

[www.mylespaul.com]

That was quite a thread ther open-g. I am a sucker for Les Pauls and had to read the whole damn thing. Got to get to the 21st page to find out whether or not it's even Peter's old '54 Custom. Thanks for the link I enjoyed it.

But, after reading that board for a while it is quite refreshing to come back to IORR. And we think we have too many experts a know it alls...whew! peace.

Great My Les Paul thread.

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dcba
"One time a guy said he had a Les Paul just like Frampton's and that he was going to Frampton's next show, and so they had the guy come backstage, and Frampton not only signed the guitar, but he played it for the entire first set"

Pretty bold move cos I've heard the current production of Les Pauls are not that good...

Not sure what year it was, but it was one of his custom Les Pauls.

Examiner

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During the show Frampton talked about how "Frampton Comes Alive" really hit it big, first in California, and then one year later the rest of the country and the world. He also told the crowd how he met this guy named "Carlos" on Twitter, Carlos tweeted that he had one of Framptons signature guitars, Frampton tweeted back and said, "Bring the guitar to the show and I will play it". So Carlos brought the guitar and Frampton played a few songs with it. When Carlos came on stage to get the guitar back, Frampton told him, "This is a really nice guitar, can I keep it". then he told Carlos that he would sign it after the show.