John Paul Jones Studio Gear Heads to Soundgas Timed Auction
A large portion of John Paul Jones’ private studio collection was offered through a series of timed auctions on the vintage-gear dealer Soundgas, with the first wave beginning December 19 and the sale running through January 18, 2026. The auction features rare, working studio pieces — including a modified Moog Model 15 and an EMS Synthi Hi‑Fli — and carries practical buying options like technician servicing and detailed condition notes.
A substantial selection of instruments and studio equipment from bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones went up for timed auction on Soundgas, beginning December 19 and continuing through January 18, 2026. The sale is being presented as a rehoming of gear from Jones’ working studio rather than items with direct Led Zeppelin provenance, and lots are being added across the sale period.
Highlight lots include a modified Moog Model 15, listed as purchased in the late 1970s and priced at around £24,000 including VAT, and an EMS Synthi Hi‑Fli, a very rare guitar and effects unit. The catalog also features various Akai samplers, Roland drum machines, Novation synthesizers, tape machines and vintage rack gear. Several lots have already sold during the multiweek series.
Many items are offered on an as-is basis, with Soundgas providing the option of servicing or overhaul by their in-house technician for buyers who want work completed before shipment. Each lot carries condition notes and specifics about provenance, repair history and functional status; these details should inform bidding and shipping decisions. Auction end dates vary by lot as the timed-auction format staggers closings through the January 18 deadline.
For collectors and studio operators, this sale presents both opportunity and caution. The presence of rare working pieces like the modified Moog Model 15 and the EMS Hi‑Fli means that significant performance heritage and unique sonic character are on offer. At the same time, as-is listings and the mixed condition typical of decades-old studio gear mean buyers need to review condition notes, factor in potential servicing costs and, if necessary, elect the technician overhaul option before purchase.
The sale underscores a broader trend of established musicians rehoming functional studio inventories rather than selling for headline provenance alone. For those tracking vintage synth and studio markets, the Soundgas series is a timely chance to acquire playable, historically used equipment with practical purchasing terms and technician support through the auction window that closes January 18, 2026.
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