‘Gold Guitar’ finds new home

Gore’s Gold Guitar statue has gone northeast to Dunedin. PHOTO: TRADE ME

What was once a Gore treasure has headed north.

The Gold Guitar sculpture, which used to sit in the main street of the Gore to advertise the annual country music festival, has left Gore for a new home in Dunedin.

The 6m sculpture, created by artist Erroll Allison, has belonged to Gore collector Frank Wilson for five years.

It was listed on Trade Me, and went without sale, though there was some interest.

Mr Wilson said word of mouth led to a Dunedin couple buying the guitar.

"They had no idea it was even for sale. A friend told them it was for sale and they rang me," he said.

Mr Wilson said he was happy it had finally found a home.

He did not say how much he got for it — it initially had a reserve of $1500 when first listed — and he did not know what the Dunedin couple would do with the piece.

gerrit.doppenberg@theensign.co.nz