George Harrison guitar sells for $657,000

NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- A guitar played by George Harrison's during the Beatles' first years of fame sold at auction in New York for $657,000 on Saturday.

According to Julien's Auctions, Harrison played the 1962 Rickenbacker during appearances on two British TV programs in 1963 -- Ready Steady Go! and Thank Your Lucky Stars.

He also used the guitar during Abbey Road studio recording sessions for "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "This Boy."

Gabe McCarty, now 81, was with Harrison when he bought the guitar at Mount Vernon, Ill., music store in 1963. McCarty told the Chicago Tribune that Harrison bought the instrument for between $400 and $500.

The Rickenbacker was expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000.