...was the name Harrison gave that guitar. He was most likely the fourth owner, not counting Clapton. The story, very much open to revision, goes something like this:
'57 Goldtop #7-8789, originally purchased by Atlantic Records in NYC sometime around '57-58 as a studio instrument. Signout sheet allegedly places it in the hands of several house players including Mickey Baker, on session dates for Ray Charles, the Drifters and King Curtis among others.
Foward to '66 (maybe '67?), ATCO recording artist John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful purchases the guitar from the label for use on tour. The McCoys, with Rick Derringer on guitar, are the opening act. The McCoys have some sort of amp fiasco, and Sebastian trades the Les Paul and an amp to Derringer for his Gibson ES-3(x)5 model.
At the completion of the tour, Derringer sends the guitar back to Gibson for its trans-red refin; meanwhile, the McCoys break up and the Derringer brothers begin playing with a then-unknown Johnny Winter down in FL, where Rick is mainly playing a Strat. Gibson sends the refin'd Les Paul back to RD's parents' home; the transparent finish reveals that the top is made from asymmetrical pieces. Derringer puts it up for sale at Dan Armstrong's shop in NYC.
Clapton comes through town with the Cream on their last US tour, buys the LP from Armstrong and brings it back to London as a (25th?) birthday gift for Harrison. Clapton then plays it on the "Gently Weeps" sessions, and Harrison will continue using it well into his solo career.
It was stolen from his home in L.A. around '73, found its way to the Guitar Center and was sold. Discovering its progeny, the store negotiated its return: at a meeting with Harrison, "Lucy" was exchanged for a '58 sunburst and a pre-CBS Fender bass. It still belongs to the Harrison estate.
