London, July 21 (IANS) A piano played by the Beatles, Pink Floyd and other popular bands is expected to fetch 150,000 pounds in an auction in Britain next month.
The instrument, which was played by the Beatles on some of their most famous tracks, was bought by the Abbey Road studio in 1964 and stood in Studio III, where it was also used by other bands including Pink Floyd, Daily Mail reported Wednesday.
The piano was retired in 1980 and obtained by its current owner, who is selling it at a Bonhams auction at Goodwood in West Sussex Aug 15. Also in the sale are copies of The Beatles Book magazine, which include photographs of Paul McCartney at the piano.
In one picture McCartney plays the piano while John Lennon, George Harrison and Beatles producer George Martin stand round it.
Made of teak, the piano features a third ‘tack’ effects pedal, used by Lennon and McCartney to shorten the notes.
Stephen Maycock, the consultant specialist for Beatles memorabilia at Bonhams, said: ‘Studio III was the smallest and the Beatles regularly used it and we know they recorded certain songs there using the piano.’
Maycock added: ‘I think it is the first instrument from the Abbey Road Studios to come on the open market.
‘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.
‘The piano was just a tool of the trade and it has been used and abused – but that gives it character.
‘It still plays although it would perhaps benefit from a professional tuner having a listen. Pink Floyd recorded their album ‘Wish You Were Here’ in Studio III so the piano is likely to have been used on that.’
