For fans, iconic instruments often become just as meaningful as the songs they helped create. While many musicians keep their most important gear for life, others lose track of theirs. John Fogerty recently opened up about a decision he now looks back on as a mistake — giving away his famous and customized “ACME” Rickenbacker 325 — used at Woodstock and on classic Creedence Clearwater Revival recordings like “Up Around the Bend” and “Green River”.
In an appearance on the Sodajerker podcast (translated by Guitar World), Fogerty recalled how he ended up parting with the guitar in the early 1970s as CCR came apart: “[It was a] dumb idea, a foolish idea, to give a guitar away that has meant so much to you and has been so much a part of your recording, right? But I’m just a human swimming in the river that we’re all swimming in, and I was just affected by my feelings, so I gave this guitar away.”
Years later, Fogerty discovered that Norman Harris of Norman’s Rare Guitars had acquired the instrument. Although he hesitated at the $90,000 price tag, he eventually decided to purchase it.
He explained: “Happily, Julie [Fogerty’s wife] went out and found my old ACME guitar, several years ago. It must be about eight years ago now, something like that. I had given it away to a 12-year-old kid, shortly after Creedence broke up. I think at the time, I was kind of heartbroken about my band breaking up, and all of that… hurt and heartbroken and wanting to turn over a new leaf and start a new page.”
Since regaining ownership, Fogerty has used the guitar on every CCR song he re-recorded after reclaiming the rights to the band’s catalog in recent years. The feeling of hearing that distinct sound again was unforgettable:
“The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. It was exactly that sound, 100 percent. I dare say I haven’t heard that sound since those days when I had the guitar.”
