It may seem surprising, but an item as substantial and easily recognizable as a guitar can indeed be lost or misplaced quite easily. This gallery aims to demonstrate just how common this phenomenon is within the music industry. Touring musicians frequently share stories of lost instruments, where one moment a guitar is safely in hand, and the next, it has vanished without a trace. Given that many musicians travel with a collection of guitars, it’s plausible that an instrument could be inadvertently left behind or misplaced during hectic touring schedules.

However, the situation sometimes takes a more serious turn, as not all missing instruments are simply misplaced. The reality is that many guitars hold significant monetary value, and unfortunately, not everyone in the music scene adheres to a strict code of ethics. This creates an environment where theft can occur, making the loss of a guitar even more distressing for musicians.

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Musicians often express that certain cherished instruments are irreplaceable. For instance, when Peter Frampton finally reunited with his long-lost Les Paul Custom guitar—which had been presumed lost for nearly 30 years after a plane crash—he described the moment with deep emotion and nostalgia. In his autobiography, Do You Feel Like I Do?: A Memoir, he wrote, “Without even looking, I could just feel it was mine.” He recalled the overwhelming sense of familiarity upon seeing it again, akin to slipping back into a favorite pair of shoes.

Frampton’s experience is a rare stroke of luck in a world where countless guitars remain lost indefinitely. In this gallery, we delve into the stories of 19 iconic rock guitars that have been stolen or lost over the years, some of which have been fortunate enough to be found again while others remain missing to this day.