After spending the past 10 or so years collecting historic guitars and basses, Rush front man Geddy Lee is thinning his herd, just a little bit.
Since beginning to dive into the history of the electric bass guitar and then beginning work on his Big Beautiful Book of Bass, released last fall, Lee has amassed a museum-worthy collection of over 260 instruments from brands like Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Ampeg and many others.
The legendary bassist and singer has insisted that his collection has motivated him to resume writing music and plan for a new chapter in his music career. But he's also expressed misgivings about hoarding so many beautiful instruments when he can only play one at a time.
Lee isn't letting go of any of his low-end for the time being, instead listing six historic electric guitars at the upcoming Mecum Las Vegas auction.
The collection is headlined by a coveted 1959 Gibson Les Paul in exceptional condition with its original case. The '59 Les Paul is hailed as one of Gibson's most investment-worthy and collectible models, with only a few hundred having been produced.
Without its association with Lee, the guitar would fetch six figures at auction. Being part of Lee's collection, and being one of the first instruments he's ever sold, however, only add to the guitar's value, Mecum notes.
The other five guitars include a 1960 Gibson ES-345, a 1960 Gibson ES-355, a 1965 Gibson ES-335, a 1967 Gibson Flying V and a 1955 Fender Stratocaster.
Take a lot at the guitars Lee is parting with here.
Photo: Getty Images