….well at least at Tennants Auction Centre, where as part of a Rock‘n’Roll musical-themed sale on Saturday 12th May, Tennants offered a large collection of guitars and jukeboxes.

In the Guitar Section, the star of the show was a rare National Tri-cone steel guitar from 1928.  These unusual looking guitars were introduced in the 1920’s before the introduction of electric guitars in order to increase the volume of the instrument.  Originally used by Hawaiian players, Tri-cones made of “German silver” an alloy of copper and nickel, used three spun aluminium cones to amplify the resonance of the strings.  Later from the 1930’s onwards these unusual guitars were adopted by blues players such as Son House, Bukka White and Blind Boy Fuller and are still highly sought after by blues players of today.  This example was in remarkable condition and sold for £4,800.

In the Jukebox Section of the sale a 1948 Wurlitzer 1100 24 Multi Selection Phonograph Jukebox complete with 78rpm’s sold for £3,800, a 1958 Seeburg 201 DH Jukebox with 200 45rpm selection sold for £2,800 and a 1961 Wurlitzer 2500 Jukebox with 200 45rpm selection also sold for £2,800. Also a late 19th Century Walnut Floor Standing “Penny-in-Slot” Polyphon Musical Disc Player sold for £4,500.

The sale also included Scientific Instruments, Tools, Amusement Machines, Musical Instruments and Cameras. In the Camera Section a 1969 Leica M4 Camera with a large selection of lenses sold for £3,200.

Entries are being invited for Tennants next specialist sale of Musical and Scientific Instruments, Tools and Cameras, which will be held on Saturday, 20th October 2007. Contact Tennants on 01969 623780