J. Geils Guitars From His Estate Are Being Auctioned

J Geils

On Sunday, November 19th, 2017, the Fine Musical Insturments department of Skinner Auctions, will be offering the remaining guitars and musical instruments from the estate of J. Geils.

J Geils

John Warren Geils, better known as J. Geils passed away on April 11th of this year. He had sold off much of his collection of vintage guitars and amplifiers prior to his death. His collection of vintage Italian sports cars was auctioned off earlier this year.

The New Guitar Summit

Though he is best known for his guitar work in the J. Geils Band, Geils went on to play Jazz guitar in the Boston area. He was part of the New Guitar Summit with Duke Robillard, and Gerry Beaudoin.

J Geil's Italian sports cars at KTX

In addition to his musical career, Geils also owned and operated KTR Motorsports, a business that serviced Italian sports cars. He also had a degree from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in mechanical engineering.

D'Angelico Excel

The upcoming auction at Skinners features some of J’s favourite guitars; including a beautiful 1940 D’Angelico Excel Archtop model, that is expected to fetch between $6,000 to $8,000.

Stromberg Master 400

Also featured is a rare 1940 Stromberg Master 400 archtop guitar, that has a price tag of $8,000 to $12,000.

1954 Fender Stratocaster

An original sunburst 1954 Fender Stratocaster (the first year this guitar was offered) is being offered at a price of between $25,000 to $35,000. This guitar is in pristine condition.

1952 Les Paul

A 1952 Gibson Les Paul gold top guitar that has the original P-90 pickups and trapeze tailpiece is among the items being sold. This guitar is expected to fetch between $8,000 and $12,000.

Gibson Nick Lucas

Geil’s 1929 sunburst Gibson Nick Lucas Special acoustic guitar is being offered for $5,500 to $6,500.

Ignacio Fleta guitar

His rare handmade 1976 Ignacio Fleta classical guitar is being offered for $20,000 to $30,000.

Lloyd Loar Mandola

J. Geils also owned an original 1924 Gibson Lloyd Loar H-5 Mandola. This is the larger version of the F-5 mandolin. It is being offered at between $35,000 to $55,000.

Fagnola Violin

While they are not guitars, the upcoming auction also features a fine Italian violin ascribed to maker Annibale Fagnola that has an estimated worth of between $10,000 and $15,000.

Pedrazzini cello

His cello built by Italian maker Giuseppe Pedrazzini that is expected to sell for between $25,000 and $35,00 along with a gorgeous silver-tipped cello bow made by Christian Welhelm Knopf that will sell for between $1,800 and $2,400.

For those of us that would like to own a guitar that belonged to a music legend, but can’t ante up a lot of money, do not despair. Some of J’s less valuable instruments are on the block, and the bidding for these instruments starts at just $20 USD.

Vega Duo-Tron

This 1950 Vega Duo-Tron electric archtop guitar is being offer for a bid starting at $20. The volume and tone controls are mounted on the guitars trapeze tailpiece.

1940 Vega Electric guitar

Also offered is a 1940 Vega electric archtop with a unique slanted pickup. This is reminiscent of a similar Gibson model of the same era. 

Harmony Monterey

A 1955 Harmony Monterey archtop guitar, with an added DeArmond pickup is offered as well.

Stella Guitar

A 1965 Harmony Stella guitar is also offered, that will certainly sell in a low price range.

Gibson EH-150 Lap Steel

J’s 1937 Gibson EH-150 lap steel, along with its original case is being offered. It is in pristine condition.

Broken 1977 Les Paul Double

I’d love to know the story behind this next guitar being offered. It is a 1977 Les Paul Special. The neck is broken in half, and all the parts are gone.






Two vintage guitar amplifiers are also on the block.

Epiphone Electar Amp

One is a gorgeous 1939 Epiphone Electar Zephyr that has a stylized wooden cabinet, with a large wooden E design over the grill.

Supro Amplifier

The other amplifier up for bid is a 1949 Supro model 1600U amplifier.

J Geils Estate Auction

There are many other items offered at this auction, that include Senhheiser and Beyerdynamic microphones, a group of speaker cabinets and amplifiers, guitar cases, speakers, awards, photographs, gold and platinum records, road cases, recording equipment, tour jackets, and tee shirts.

And trumpets; J played the trumpet and collected them.

Check out the online catalog.

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