Abbey Road Studios recording gear goes on sale – Reuters

Did you know that a legendary recording console connected legendary bands such as the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and many more? In 1957, EMI Studios – which was renamed “Abbey Road Studios” in 1970 – upgraded the state-of-the-art BTR2 (British Tape Recorder 2) recording console for the best recording quality than the money can buy. Now, that same BTR2 console is up for sale at music and pop culture auction house Gotta Have Rock & Roll.

From 1957 until the mid-1970s, countless iconic albums were made on this same recording console including “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Beatles For Sale”, “Revolver”, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, “Magical Mystery Tour”, “The White Album” and “Abbey Road” by the Beatles alone. Other albums recorded using it include John Lennon’s “Plastic Ono Band” LP, George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and Pink Floyd’s Diamond Selling “Dark Side of the Moon”.

One can only imagine the flashes of inspiration, late night creative sessions and wild parties that took place in this studio room. The auction listing includes two images from Abbey Road Studios, one with a pensive John Lennon in front of the BTR2 and another with George Harrison and Ringo Starr celebrating with cake and champagne just in front of the BTR2.

Abbey Road Studios material is very rarely offered for public sale, and only a few pieces have made it into the hands of collectors. This BT2 was originally bought in 1980 from the studio itself at their “sale of the century” before reselling it at Sotheby’s in 1988 to none other than the famous Hard Rock Café. The current owner bought it from Hard Rock and is selling it today.

Check out this historic piece and over 1,200 other Rock’n’Roll artifacts that are on sale until August 19 at here.