It’s official, Noel Gallagher has gifted me his legendary “Wonderwall” guitar. At first, I couldn’t process it. Then, as I held the cherry sunburst Epiphone Les Paul in my hands, the truth sank in. Yes, the very one from What’s the Story Morning Glory? now belongs to me.
A Guitar with a Storied Past
To begin with, Noel originally got this Les Paul after a trade with Paul Weller in 1994. As a result, it quickly became his go-to axe during the Wonderwall recording sessions. In addition, he took it onstage, playing it live through mid-1995.
Eventually, the guitar left his hands. From there, it passed through several collectors, each one preserving the echoes of chords that helped define Oasis’s global rise. Now, it’s found a new home — with someone who still can’t believe this is real.
Why This Gift Means Everything
First of all, Wonderwall remains one of the most iconic songs of the 1990s. Moreover, Noel has publicly admitted he’s not fond of playing it live. Yet despite that, he always did. And now, years later, he’s handing over the very instrument behind it. That gesture speaks volumes.
Furthermore, this Les Paul isn’t just an object. It carries layers of stories of late-night pub gigs, chart-climbing success, and the unmistakable sound of Britpop’s golden era.
A Collector’s Dream Becomes Reality
To put things into perspective, instruments like this almost never leave private collections. For instance, Sotheby’s recently auctioned a similar Epiphone model for over £30,000. Nevertheless, Noel chose to give this one away. And not for money but for meaning.
Therefore, this guitar is no longer just a collectible. It’s a living piece of music history, and I now get to write the next chapter.
My First Strum — A Moment Etched in Memory
When I first strummed it, nostalgia surged through me. That iconic, capo-on-the-second-fret shimmer? It rang out instantly. Although I can’t recreate Noel’s touch, each note feels sacred.
Even now, every vibration tells a story. I hear echoes of Manchester’s Boardwalk. I imagine Brian Cannon setting up album artwork sessions. It’s all there woven into every fret.
A Bond Beyond Music
Most importantly, this isn’t just about strings and pickups. It’s about legacy and trust. Noel didn’t hand this off casually. Instead, he passed it down with purpose. He believed I would honor its story.
Above all, that trust is priceless. In fact, it means as much as the guitar itself.
This isn’t just a gift, it’s a torch passed from one era to another. And I intend to keep it burning.
Let me know if you’d like an embedded timeline of the
guitar’s known history or expert insights on its hardware!
