The world of vintage guitars and music memorabilia is often intertwined with intrigue, especially when the legendary Jimi Hendrix is involved. A resurfaced discussion thread points to a fascinating episode of Pawn Stars featuring what was purported to be a Jimi Hendrix guitar, and the involvement of Cowtown Guitars, a well-known vintage guitar dealer.
In a 2014 episode of the popular reality show Pawn Stars, a seller brought in a ’63 Olympic White Fender Stratocaster, claiming it belonged to Jimi Hendrix. Rick Harrison, the show’s owner, brought in Jesse Amoroso from Cowtown Guitars to authenticate the instrument. Amoroso confirmed the guitar’s provenance, citing typical Hendrix wear marks, historical photos, documents, and the serial number. He appraised its auction value at a staggering million dollars.
Harrison initially offered $450,000, then upped his bid to $600,000 as the seller aimed for $750,000 and walked away. Interestingly, as highlighted in a Looper.com article, the very same Stratocaster resurfaced on the market later, this time brokered by Cowtown Guitars themselves.
This sequence of events raises eyebrows and prompts questions. Did Jesse Amoroso and Cowtown Guitars simply act as authenticators on Pawn Stars, or was there a pre-existing or subsequent arrangement to handle the potential Jimi Hendrix Guitar Auction outside of the pawn shop? The online buzz suggests a possible “backdoor deal” or simply that Cowtown Guitars, with their specialized market, were better positioned to facilitate a high-value sale than a pawn shop aiming for quick turnaround and lower prices.
Whether it was a matter of a deal behind the scenes or a strategic move to maximize the guitar’s value through a specialized dealer, the story underscores the complexities and sometimes opaque nature of high-end vintage guitar transactions, especially when a name as iconic as Jimi Hendrix is attached. For collectors and fans, the tale serves as a reminder to look beyond the surface when it comes to prized music memorabilia and potential Jimi Hendrix guitar auctions.
