The studio console used by Pink Floyd to famously record their 1973 album, “The Dark Side Of The Moon”, sold at auction in New York on Monday for more than double its presale estimate.
The rare EMI TG12345 MK IV recording console – one of only two ever made – sold for 1,807,500 during the Bonhams' TCM Presents … Rock and Roll Through The Lens auction to an anonymous bidder.
The equipment was housed in Abbey Road's famed Studio 2 from 1971 to 1983, with Pink Floyd and many other artists using the gear for various recording ventures.
Seller and producer Mike Hedges initially purchased the console from Abbey Road in 1983 when the studio upgraded its equipment; he said it was still in "excellent working condition" upon its sale.
"The world record price of this important item of music engineering only confirms the military precision of EMI craftsmanship and the powerhouse persona of Abbey Road Studio,” says Katherine Schofield, Head of Entertainment Memorabilia in London. “The intense bidding seen in the room and on the phone speaks to its association with one of the UK's most relevant and successful bands, Pink Floyd, and highlights the fact that this is far from being any ordinary console."
Produced by Pink Floyd with engineering by Alan Parsons and mixing by Chris Thomas, “The Dark Side Of The Moon” was recorded at Abbey Road between June 1972 and January 1973.
The project went on to become one of the biggest-selling albums in music history at more than 50 million copies worldwide while continuing to be in demand as each year passes.
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Search Pink Floyd at hennemusic