Purchased new in 1962 from Selmer, Charing Cross Road, London, for use with The Springfields, the UK’s top group at the time: featuring Dusty Springfield, brother Tom Springfield and Mike Hurst. The guitar was first used on the recording session for ‘Island of Dreams’, which successfully reached 5th in the UK charts. Later that year, Mike and the guitar travelled to Nashville, USA to record The Springfields album ‘Folk Songs from The Hills’, which included the first hit by a British group in the USA ‘Silver Threads and Golden Needles’, charting at number 20 on the Billboard Charts...the first UK act to ever achieve a top 20 Billboard chart hit. Mike can be seen with the guitar in many images of the band, including the album artwork for ‘Folk Songs from the Hill’ and ‘The Springfields Story.’ Dusty Springfield's brother Tom in the band is also seen playing the guitar in many photos, and Dusty played this guitar as well behind the scenes.
During a tour with Del Shannon (#1 global hit song Runaway) and Bobby Vee (#1 global hit song Take Good Care of My Baby), the guitar lost a bridge pin. Del gave Mike one of his, which is still present on the guitar to this day. Bobby Vee accidently knocked over a speaker, leaving a hole in the top of the guitar. This was repaired at Andy’s Guitar Workshop, Denmark Street, London, in 1964, by expertly letting in a new strip that can clearly be seen on the guitar's top today after nearly 60 years of aging, although it was barely detectable at the time as seen in the later cover photo with Cat Stevens. Thankfully, Bobby paid!
After the Springfields disbanded in 1963/64, the Gibson was used with Mike's band, ‘The Methods’ with a stellar lineup which included Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Albert Lee (Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton) and Tony Ashton.
By 1965, Mike was now a record producer, discovering singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, signing him to the new Deram (Decca) record label and producing his first five hit singles. Cat Stevens used the Gibson on his first single ‘I Love My Dog’ and it was subsequently used on his biggest hit, ‘Matthew and Son’. Cat can be seen with the guitar in multiple photos in The Rave magazine's March 2, 1967 issue as well as on the cover of "Cats Back 1966-1967." In the magazine interview, Cat talk about meeting Mike and having his breakthrough:
"David and I had it all worked out, see. We didn’t want to go to Mike saying how great I was, because everyone says that when they are trying to get in. No, we wanted to butter him up a bit, so we decided that by asking his advice first we were flattering him, and getting a hearing. It worked." Mike and Cat have since become great friends. When together, they knock each other, verbally and physically—punches in the stomach and buffs about the head, and lots of taunting jokes like, "Was I good on stage last night Mike?" "You were lousy Cat !"
Mike’s production days throughout the late 1960s saw recordings and hits for The Move (‘Curly’) , Manfred Mann (‘Mighty Quinn’), Spencer Davis Group (‘Time Seller’), Warm Sounds, Ayshea, Alan Bown and P. P. Arnold (‘The First Cut Is the Deepest’), the latter seeing another outing for the Gibson which was used for the session.
At the close of the 1960s Mike recorded Colin Blunstone (ex-Zombies), re-recording ‘She’s Not There’, which features the Gibson guitar. This track was subsequently used in the final scene of series three of ‘The Crown’ and played over the closing credits.
The Gibson has seen a long and varied history, being used at every opportunity throughout Mike’s entire hit-making career, both live and in session. In Mike’s words, ‘The guitar is well used and shows it, but plays like a dream hence it still being used." Mike can be seen playing the guitar in recent years with with his SKB hard case that comes with the guitar.
This incredible Gibson guitar is part of the world famous instrument collection at Essex Recording Studios! All pics, info and best prices are always on our official Essex Recording Studios site. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, & Twitch @essexrecordingstudios
WE BUY GUITARS AND ACCEPT TRADES P/X: Just let us know here at Essex Recording Studios what you have 07455251112 or international +44 7455251112. You can text or WhatsApp as well! I'm the owner, Keith.
International buyers are welcome! We ship to any country in the world! This guitar will be packed and shipped with love, care and respect! The guitar is in world-toured, artist grade condition from 70 years of life making hit songs. You are welcome to collect it in person if you are local to our studio in Southend, England at postcode SS1 1AB directly opposite Southend Central train station. Just get in touch with us at Essex Recording Studios to make an appointment for collection. Call us anytime 07455251112 or International/WhatsApp +44 7455251112 to make an appointment to view or collect.
YOUR PURCHASE HELPS MUSICIANS and supports our studio! Buying from us directly helps support unsigned musicians and bands that struggle to produce professional music without help from major record labels these days. Thank you for your support!