Mike Oldfield's Fender Telecaster, used to record the album 'Tubular Bells',
£25,000 - £35,000
Looking for a similar item?
Our Popular Culture specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistFootnotes
This guitar, previously owned by Marc Bolan and originally with blonde finish, was the only six-string electric used by Mike Oldfield on his debut album, 'Tubular Bells'.
Mike's original demos were recorded in his London flat, on a borrowed tape machine. He took the tape to several record companies, none of whom showed much enthusiasm for it. However, Tom Newman, in charge of Virgin's new studio at The Manor, Shipton-on-Cherwell, Oxforshire, heard it and persuaded Richard Branson to give Mike studio time to record the album. Recorded during the autumn of 1972 and spring of 1973, the album was rejected by all of the record companies approached by Branson and so it was decided that Virgin would release it themselves. It was the very first record put out by Virgin, carrying the catalogue number V2001.
Released on 25th May 1973, the album went to No.1 in the UK charts, becoming the most successful rock instrumental album of all time with worldwide sales exceeding 25 million copies.
The guitar has been donated by Mike Oldfield to be sold on behalf of the mental health charity SANE.