Van Morrison now owns this one. He allowed it to be displayed at the 02 for a music-related exhibition (I have forgotten its name) and it was shown alongside one of his stage suits and a banjo of Lonnie's.
The most significant guitar (the whereabouts of which I can determine) is his 000-21. It can be seen on the cover of the Showcase LP. Later Lon had some changes made - a larger pickguard, for example, that covered the spot where his enthusiastic strumming had scarred the top - and I still don't know its serial number. (Not for want of trying!)
Van Morrison also owns that one. I don't even know its year but it's safe to say it was second hand when Lon acquired it (I presume on his first US tour in 1956). This one is the most important Donegan Martin. It was used at least through the Conway Hall session in 1957 and always remained a standby guitar even after he bought an early 000-28, the one we see in the '6.5 Special' film in 1958.
I don't know where that early 28 went. He always SAID he 'gave it to Adam Faith' but I view that tale with a healthy scepticism.
We don't know where his first Martin (an 0-17 - seen on the cover of 'Backstairs Session') went, either.
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