I'd have to go with George's 360/12 as well.

Another one worth mentioning is Neil Young's Old Black. He's still using it, though!

Great minds think alike. No worries Phiddleguy!

360Fs

This particular guitar has no "history"...

http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=74

...but that didn't stop it selling at auction for $2.8M last November!

I wonder if Her Highness plays?

Man there are so many. I truly think the only reason the instruments the Beatles used are not mentioned more is because they are considered unavailable. Think about it they have not been on the market as far as I know. They are where they are, quietly becoming some of the most valuable treasures on this planet. They are like Mona Lisa, she is not counted in most art speculation because she is basically untouchable. Early ownership was traded on these instruments, but it was pretty short and sweet, since then they have been pretty much planted. Great thought though as to how much would Lennon's actually auction for, It's really above speculation.

There are also some fine historic Rickenbacker examples as well ;) if you are ever in the Emerald City, the EMP (Experience Music Project) is an absolute must see!! I've been there 3 times and will go back again when I have the chance.

It would be the Rics, hands down.

In my previous life as a rock journalist, we used to get sent loads of free stuff: rare promo records, test pressings and all manner of weird things musicians had played/worn/chewed, so a specialist dealer would come into the office to buy it from us. This guy made a fortune selling records and memorabilia all around the world.

One day I was talking to him about which artists fetched the most he said ‘ The Beatles, no question.’ His take on it was that everyone else (Stones, Hendrix, name your legend) were slowly getting less valuable as the fans got older and less rabid (and presumably more married!).

Everything about the The Beatles however, from combs to records to Beatle Wigs, continue to rise for the reasons previously stated here – the Fab Four transcend mere music, they are cultural icons.

One also could most strongly and convincingly argue that the collective Beatles 4 faces (particularly circa 1964) are the 4 most iconic famous faces in the entire history of our planet with only the possible exception of centuries many artists renderings of Christ.

Ahem, before we carried away, perhaps we should also mention the *famous faces* of Buddha, Chairman Mao, Lenin, Hitler, Shakespeare, Saladin, Father Christmas and Mickey Mouse.

Personally, I would go for King George V. By 1922, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, one-quarter of the world's population and covered more than 13 million square miles, approximately a quarter of the Earth's total land area. And his face would have been on every coin.

Although I doubt he played a Ric.

Something to consider....A factor here was the Guitar Center bought these guitars, correct? They are a major corporation with a lot of money. Plus, they reissued the strat and 335, so they will make back some of their money on the deal....A private collector would not be able to recoup the money.