My dad switched over from playing in a jazz quartet to a rock and roll band in 1963 and couldn't get hold of a Fender instrument, they were still quite rare even then, he bought a Burns Vista Sonic, it wasn't until 1968 that he got a US made guitar a Gibson Goldtop and he bought it in California on a trip to a family wedding, even though tey were gigged he looked after them, they were cleaned after each gig and not taken out of their cases until he went on stage and placed back immidietly upon finishing the set, I inherited these guitars.
Thanks for this video! This is such an important guitar - the one George did his 10,000 hours on. He owned a lot of guitars in his day, but there is only one first 'real' guitar in every players life. I would rather have this one for its history than many of the multi-million dollar sellers out there. Lets hope this really gets appreciated and sells for what its worth on November 20.
interesting video. The Beatles failed the audition to back Billy Fury but did tour Scotland with another singer called Johnny Gentle. In the mid 60s my friend Marshall had the same Futurama 2 guitar and I had the Futurama 3. They were good cheap guitars and stood up well when gigging.
It's November 2024 as I leave this comment. Several years ago, I purchased the large size edition of the gear book. Paging through it and reading about the Futurama guitar, I came to a realization. It actually predated when Fender started building instruments with individual pickup selectors in the electronics, as well as when Dr Brian May and his father Harold designed and built Brian's homemade model, the Red Special. In an interview from 2014 with Premier Guitar, Brian talked about how the two of them collected brochures of different manufacturers like Fender. Though he didn't mention it, it wouldn't surprise me if one of the brochures featured this model.
Congratulations on such a great video and history. I love John Paul, George and Ringo…by the way when are the Empty Hearts gonna get back together and make some more music? When are you gonna make another CD? Peace, Sal 💪🏻🎸
Andy, when are you going to finish your website? And is there an updated version of _The Beatles' Gear_ with all the new info you've amassed since it originally came out?
@jesusislukeskywalker4294 I bought it about ten years ago, I have several old instruments, so I just wanted something from my youth, I was surprised how well it plays the action is well acceptable, the electrics all work.
@@moodyguymick Indeed the Beatles backed Johnny Gentle, not Fury. And Stu never played a President Bass, he played a 500/5 bass (Selmer catalogue number 333). President Basses were not produced till 1963.
I always wondered if Any Beatle Owned a VOX Super Ace Strat Style Guitar. Pickups as good or better than Fenders/ And only made in England in 1964-1965
AI Overview Learn more … The Beatles were offered the chance to back Billy Fury, but they declined the offer: The Beatles audition: Larry Parnes, Fury's manager, held auditions in Liverpool for a new backing group for Fury. The Beatles, then known as the Silver Beetles, auditioned for the job but were turned down. The Beatles' decision: The Beatles were offered the job for £20 per week, but John Lennon refused on the condition that they keep their bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe. The Beatles left after Lennon got Fury's autograph. The Tornados: The Tornados were eventually chosen to back Fury. Rock'n'Roll Heroes - Billy Fury Fury's first backing band was Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, but they were fired by Parnes. Fury's hits were more ballads than rock 'n' roll, and he was sometimes compared to Elvis.
4:50 Where are these instruments today if any exist? especially Stu's. 10:34 when i see all that fan mail it occurs to me that there are probably 100 girls SO much nicer and prettier than any that they ended up with in that pile!
I hope you read this. I bought your book Beatles Gear
In 2001 and it opened up a new world for me.
My dad switched over from playing in a jazz quartet to a rock and roll band in 1963 and couldn't get hold of a Fender instrument, they were still quite rare even then, he bought a Burns Vista Sonic, it wasn't until 1968 that he got a US made guitar a Gibson Goldtop and he bought it in California on a trip to a family wedding, even though tey were gigged he looked after them, they were cleaned after each gig and not taken out of their cases until he went on stage and placed back immidietly upon finishing the set, I inherited these guitars.
I imagine they're in incredible condition
Cool beyond description. I hope a guitar manufacturer will make copies for the rest of us.
Thanks for this video! This is such an important guitar - the one George did his 10,000 hours on. He owned a lot of guitars in his day, but there is only one first 'real' guitar in every players life. I would rather have this one for its history than many of the multi-million dollar sellers out there. Lets hope this really gets appreciated and sells for what its worth on November 20.
interesting video. The Beatles failed the audition to back Billy Fury but did tour Scotland with another singer called Johnny Gentle. In the mid 60s my friend Marshall had the same Futurama 2 guitar and I had the Futurama 3. They were good cheap guitars and stood up well when gigging.
Just to add that Georges' Futurama guitar is now in Pete Best's museum in Mathew Street Liverpool opposite the Cavern.
Fantastic documentary. More please!
It's November 2024 as I leave this comment. Several years ago, I purchased the large size edition of the gear book. Paging through it and reading about the Futurama guitar, I came to a realization. It actually predated when Fender started building instruments with individual pickup selectors in the electronics, as well as when Dr Brian May and his father Harold designed and built Brian's homemade model, the Red Special. In an interview from 2014 with Premier Guitar, Brian talked about how the two of them collected brochures of different manufacturers like Fender. Though he didn't mention it, it wouldn't surprise me if one of the brochures featured this model.
Thanks- never noticed this axe from early pics or even heard about it. A Bender the robot / George’s guitar crossover T-shirt is in order!
I like the switching; all 7 pickup selections.
Great video.
For accuracy, the magazine was known as The Beatles Book Monthly, not The Beatles Monthly Book.
Amazing
Excellent
Congratulations on such a great video and history. I love John Paul, George and Ringo…by the way when are the Empty Hearts gonna get back together and make some more music? When are you gonna make another CD? Peace, Sal 💪🏻🎸
WOW!!!!
Sooo cooll❤
(They ended up backing Johnny Gentle rather than Fury, right?)
That’s the Scottish tour.
@@nickdryad Yes, but when did they back Fury?
@ I don’t think they did. They were at the same Larry Parnell Audition with Billy Fury but not sure about anything else
@@nickdryadI'm from Liverpool, bit pushed.......explain later.
Stormy tempest. I get the reference
Andy, when are you going to finish your website? And is there an updated version of _The Beatles' Gear_ with all the new info you've amassed since it originally came out?
Johnny Gentle was also from Liverpool.
Would be awesome if you did these types of videos for some of the Beatles other guitars like the Matching Sonic Blue Strat’s
how cool 🔥🚬😎
I hope it does not rot away in some Hard Rock Café
I have one, it plays pretty well for a cheap guitar.
seriously?🚬🥸
@jesusislukeskywalker4294 I bought it about ten years ago, I have several old instruments, so I just wanted something from my youth, I was surprised how well it plays the action is well acceptable, the electrics all work.
Incredible…I would love to hear someone play it on a video now! Great vid.
I really hope that the Hamburg Tapes are worked on by Peter Jackson
Great video.
But the Beatles never backed Billy Fury and Stu never had a President Bass, he owned a 500/5!!
They backed Johnny Gentle on the Scottish tour, Stu played a Hofner President bass.
@@moodyguymick Indeed the Beatles backed Johnny Gentle, not Fury. And Stu never played a President Bass, he played a 500/5 bass (Selmer catalogue number 333). President Basses were not produced till 1963.
I have to ask. How much did it sell for?
The auction is on Nov 20th. It has an estimate of $600,000-$800,000! 😮
@ Wow, I am sure George didn’t see this coming when he bought it with his mom….
@@neilbeacher17 It's up to $600,000 now on November 18, 2024...(3 bidders).
I always wondered if Any Beatle Owned a VOX Super Ace Strat Style Guitar. Pickups as good or better than Fenders/ And only made in England in 1964-1965
Andy Babiuk is THE world's expert on all these matters and if he says it then it's a fact.
AI Overview
Learn more
…
The Beatles were offered the chance to back Billy Fury, but they declined the offer:
The Beatles audition: Larry Parnes, Fury's manager, held auditions in Liverpool for a new backing group for Fury. The Beatles, then known as the Silver Beetles, auditioned for the job but were turned down.
The Beatles' decision: The Beatles were offered the job for £20 per week, but John Lennon refused on the condition that they keep their bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe. The Beatles left after Lennon got Fury's autograph.
The Tornados: The Tornados were eventually chosen to back Fury.
Rock'n'Roll Heroes - Billy Fury
Fury's first backing band was Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, but they were fired by Parnes. Fury's hits were more ballads than rock 'n' roll, and he was sometimes compared to Elvis.
4:50 Where are these instruments today if any exist? especially Stu's. 10:34 when i see all that fan mail it occurs to me that there are probably 100 girls SO much nicer and prettier than any that they ended up with in that pile!
Futur RAM a. Entire world including George pronounces it Futur ROM a
@AudioPilz "Welcome to Fab Gear, the show about The Beatles' most loved audio tools."