Beatles' Abbey Road Piano Up for Auction

Posted on Jul 21st 2010 7:15AM by Barnaby Smith
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A clapped-out old upright piano used by the Beatles at Abbey Road studios is expected to fetch £150,000 ($229,000) when it goes to auction next month.

The keyboard, which comes from Studio Three at the legendary north London studio, was used between 1964 and 1980 and was played by the Beatles on 'Paperback Writer,' though the instrument was cut in the final mix.

The Guardian reports that auctioneers at Bonhams say the piano was also used on the band's 1969 song, 'Old Brown Shoe,' as well as by many other acts recording at the St John's Wood complex over the course of its lifetime.

Stephen Maycock, Beatles memorabilia expert at Bonhams, said, "Studio Three was the smallest. The Beatles regularly used it, and we know they recorded certain songs there using the piano.

"It was also used by other bands, including Pink Floyd, and without its association with the studios, it would be worth a very modest sum. It is a bit battered and is covered in stains and cigarette burns. It has been used and abused -- but that gives it character."

The auction will take place on Aug. 15 at the Vintage Goodwood festival at Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.