This is only a preview. The auction will open on: 10/28/2026 1:00:00 PM
Offered Here: The Who 1972 John Entwistle Owned Fender Telecaster Bass Gifted to Zeke Clark With COA
Item Details: Turn up the volume on your collection with this absolute thunderbolt of rock history. Straight from the ultra-private vault of renowned guitar tech Zeke Clark, we are thrilled to present an amazing 1972 Fender Telecaster Bass once owned by none other than "Thunder Fingers" himself, the legendary John Entwistle of The Who. Bearing serial number 351256, this heavy-hitter features a strikingly faded yellow finish, a gorgeous classic Telecaster-style headstock, and that unmistakable early-'70s patina. It is armed with a high-output Fender humbucker right at the neck to deliver that iconic, earth-shaking rumble. This prized instrument was personally gifted from Entwistle to Zeke Clark during their days hanging out together at the legendary Rainbow Bar and Grill in Los Angeles during the 1980s, adding unparalleled personal provenance to an already monumental piece of rock lore. Wearing its authentic, heavy road dings along the edges like badges of honor, this rock-and-roll survivor comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and a hardshell case to safely house all those legendary memories.
Provenance/Authenticity: Randall "Zeke" Clark is a renowned luthier and legendary guitar/amp technician who got his start in the San Francisco music scene in the 70s, working with various A-list artists until moving to LA in the 80s, where he worked for Eddie Van Halen.
From 1985 to 1993, he served as Edward Van Halen’s lead guitar and amp tech, transitioning to the crew with Sammy Hagar to maintain the band's gear through the monumental 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge eras.
Beyond his historic tenure as the custodian of Eddie's tone, Clark's elite five-decade career includes building, repairing, and maintaining specialized gear for iconic artists such as Prince, Sammy Hagar, Journey, Heart, Poison, and others. This curated selection of items offers collectors a unique and direct connection to rock history through the hands of a master craftsman who shaped the sound of guitar royalty.
This item was personally handled, vetted, and released by Zeke Clark, ensuring its authenticity and rock-history provenance. Zeke Clark utilizes an Official Personal Signature Stamp to validate and inventory documents and artifacts released directly from his private estate. This item comes with his personal ink-imprinted signature stamp on the certificate of authenticity, which serves as his legally binding, authorized mark of verification and carries the full weight of a hand-signed signature.
John Entwistle, bassist for The Who, helped redefine the electric bass in rock by treating it as a lead instrument, using a trebly, high-volume tone and a fast, fluid technique that earned him the nicknames "The Ox" and "Thunderfingers." His bass break on "My Generation" is often cited as one of the first bass solos on a rock record, and his songwriting contributions, including "Boris the Spider" and "My Wife," gave The Who a darkly humorous voice alongside Pete Townshend's material. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Who in 1990, Entwistle remains a central reference point for generations of rock bassists.
Condition: Very good, sold as-is. The bass shows heavy dings along the edges and a brilliant 1970s patina.
SKU: RZC2105