BOSTON – Dee Dee Ramone’s Fender Precision Bass sold for $93,438 at an RR Auction on June 18. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.The cream-colored American made Fender instrument, dating from 1975, with nickel tuning pegs, clear caulking to the periphery of the pickguard, and adhesive remnants to neck plate. The bass was one of three white Precision basses used by Dee Dee onstage between 1979 and mid-1982 when new basses were purchased.
Upon purchase in 1979, all three basses had their original black pickguards removed and replaced with red ones. The Ramones guitar tech replaced and caulked the pickguards to prevent the electronics shorting out from Dee Dee’s profuse sweating during performances.
The bass was Dee Dee’s primary instrument and was later used for demo submissions and recording until 1989.
“Dee Dee Ramone helped define the look and sound for countless generations of punk and hard rock musicians,” said Bobby Livingston, executive VP at RR Auction. “The price achieved speaks to the undeniable respect – and admiration that legions of Ramone fans continue to have for the highly influential band.”
Highlights from the sale include:
– Prince’s Purple Rain Tour and studio-used Yamaha DX7 synthesizer sold for $73,697.
– Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album signed by Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr sold for $30,990.
– Prince’s handwritten sketch notebook that contains handwritten lyrics for three unreleased songs sold for $30,502.
– Joe Walsh’s Fender custom stage-used guitar from the Beatles’ Tribute Special sold for $19,763.
– The Who early fully signed portrait sold for $30,558.
– Beatles signed “Thank Your Lucky Stars” call sheet sold for $27,500.
The Marvels of Modern Music sale from RR Auction began on June 11 and concluded on June 18.
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