A rare guitar has found its way to Colchester where it has been snapped up by an avid collector.

The instrument was created by world-renowned guitar designer Paul Reed Smith, who is based in America, and is one of just 50 in the world.

Only two were allocated to Britain when they were made at the beginning of 2000 and were sold almost immediately for £13,000 each.

Specialists in the subject, Trevor Durrant Guitars based in Cowdray Avenue, were asked by a collector in Scotland to try to trace one of the guitars which are handmade from maple wood and have semi-precious stones and mammoth ivory embedded in them.

Salesman Dominic Fairbanks used his contacts in America to track down one which has now been shipped over for collection by its new owner who forked out an amazing £21,000 for it.

"He always comes to me because I have contact with Paul Reed Smith as my grandfather was the actor Douglas Fairbanks Jnr," said Mr Fairbanks.

"It really is an amazing guitar and worth having a look at," he said.

Expensive riff - the rare guitar finding its way to Colchester with Dominic Fairbanks at Trevor Durrant Guitars.

Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE

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