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Post subject: Fender Coronado and Pete Townshend
Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2019 5:47 am
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I have come in to possession of a late 1960s cherry red Fender Coronado ll, owned previously by the late Felix Dennis (of Dennis Publishing, Maxim, The Week and 'OZ' fame). Ha alleged the guitar had originally been owned by Pete Townshend but I can't find any photos of evidence of this. Felix liked a good story, so I suspect this is one too, but if anyone can put the guitar and the rock star together, I'd be most interested!!!


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Post subject: Re: Fender Coronado and Pete Townshend
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:19 pm
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Welcome to the Forum George!

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Post subject: Re: Fender Coronado and Pete Townshend
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 11:44 pm
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The assertion is possible but the only hollow-body guitars I've ever seen Pete playing were Rick 330's and 360's, Gibson 335's, and Epiphone Casino's.

Further research is needed for definitive provenance.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender Coronado and Pete Townshend
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:41 am
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Location: On the loo, regretting that gas station burrito.
There is a site that goes into detail about The Who's gear, but it doesn't seem to mention a Coronado anywhere. http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/gear/guitar/ptgear.html I suppose that doesn't necessarily mean that he didn't have one, though.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Coronado and Pete Townshend
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:56 pm
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George:

Felix, as you likely know, used to hang with music celebs including Clapton and Jagger, so it’s possible there is a Townsend connection, but searches avoid any mention of it.

Here is the best info. I’ve found so far after reviewing hundreds of photos and many articles online, and in my books and magazines.

Who’s (see how I did that?) to say if this following linked article speaks of your Fender Coronado II in question. It belonged to Felix and I doubt if he would have two. Also, the price of £900 (about $1443 Cdn. or $1091 Amn.) at auction time seems a little low to me, considering high pricing goes from 3 to 4K. Sure, there are steals to be found. But, Pete Townshend’s? Hmmm? It sounds like Felix had a great story with no verification.

(Some here may have seen this posted elsewhere) The year was 1965. Things were different then. After a stranger picked us (two Cdn. Sailors) up from Portsmouth on a hike on the motorway, he said it was too late to be searching on foot for accommodation in Liverpool. He said he had a better idea if we were willing. In fact, he talked us into it. It was suggested that we stay overnight in a spare bedroom of a nice old lady he knew. After he introduced us and left (the last we saw of him) she gave us a fine welcome, we settled in, had tea and biscuits, and it was then I and my friend discovered we were supposedly staying at Paul McCartney’s grandmother’s home. She told us her relationship and pointed to a signed photo of a younger Paul in the dining room after we accepted our stay. Not only can I not verify that story, but I have no proof of the kind proud old lady being Paul’s grandmother. It seemed unreal and we were no McCartney experts from across the pond; although, my friend was a fan, I was less so. She seemed sincere, and I don’t think she was into Beatles music; but, there was the framed photo and it was not a clipping from a paper or magazine. So, you never know with these things. Later I tried to find out more with no success. So, the story doesn’t get mentioned much for obvious reasons; but, it fits for comparison here. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction; but, without connecting the dots, it’s just another story as auctioneers are well aware of. Maybe, Felix was yanking the chain about Pete Townsend’s Coronado ownership, and maybe not.

My guess is this auction house would have some idea as to the previous owner should it be Pete Townshend. However, because Mr. Dennis had passed before the auction that information might have stayed with him. You’d think he would have wanted Mr. Townsend to have signed it or have a picture relating to the guitar were it gifted or sold to Felix. Okay. There’s a missing photograph. Hmmm?

http://www.bigwoodauctioneers.com/s/sal ... 40/MUSICAL

Note: The executor who was a friend and employed manager for Felix, and Mr. Dennis’ chauffeur were available with the auction; and still Pete Townshend’s name was not mentioned or associated with the guitar.

Case closed from this part of the research. Perhaps, we need a DNA sample.

FSB

George: Can you fill us in on your story about where Felix and/or you got the Coronado and/or the Pete Townsend rumour? Also, has it’s serial number been checked with Fender?

I wish you the best should it be Pete’s. It could be just for home use, or maybe involved with a Charity or similar. Ya never know. Value usually goes up when a performance is involved, however.

Regardless, nice guitar to have. :mrgreen:
Cheers!

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