Frank Zappa's Utility Muffin Research Kitchen is up for auction

14 Oct 2016 by Robin Vincent | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

A Wards Airline phonograph and AM-FM Stereophonic radio that Frank Zappa took with him on the road. · Source: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/lot/82464/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F192%2F%3Fpage%3D5

A Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer, serial number 1701. · Source: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/lot/82500/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F192%2F%3Fpage%3D5

An Arp PE4 Electronic Music String Ensemble synthesizer in an orange Anvil road case stenciled "K-40 ICA tag 591 Jean-Luc Ponty." · Source: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/lot/82502/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F192%2F%3Fpage%3D5

A black leather motorcycle jacket owned by Frank Zappa. A label that reads “Perfecto Schott Bros” is present. Size 46. The jacket is customized with a collection of pins. Zappa was photographed wearing the jacket with conductor Joel Thome while promoting the music of Edgard Varèse at the New York Palladium on April 16, 1981. · Source: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/lot/82345/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F192%2F%3Fpage%3D4

A 1966 Rickenbacker 360 12-string guitar, serial number FD 1433, in fireglow finish. Comes with an orange road case stenciled "G1" with tape marked "FZ 12 string." · Source: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/lot/82519/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F192%2F%3Fpage%3D5

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The legendary Zappa estate in Laurel Canyon, which was left intact since his death in 1993, has been recently bought by Lady Gaga for, apparently, a cool $5.2 million. Presumably to make some of the money back the contents are up for auction including the gear from his little home studio, otherwise known as the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen.

It’s a weird collection of things. Amongst the tiger heads, bird lamps, dodgy sofas and platform shoes you’ll find speaker cabinets, guitars, old synths and massive mixing desks. It’s a fascinating mix.

Assuming that shipping isn’t a problem, here’s what I’ve got my eye on:

A Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer, serial number 1701. · Source: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/lot/82500/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F192%2F%3Fpage%3D5

An Arp PE4 Electronic Music String Ensemble synthesizer in an orange Anvil road case stenciled “K-40 ICA tag 591 Jean-Luc Ponty.” · Source: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/lot/82502/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F192%2F%3Fpage%3D5

A 1966 Rickenbacker 360 12-string guitar, serial number FD 1433, in fireglow finish. Comes with an orange road case stenciled “G1” with tape marked “FZ 12 string.” · Source: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/192/lot/82519/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F192%2F%3Fpage%3D5

The auction closes on the 4th November. For the full list head over to Julien’s Live auction here. There’s a load of other rock n’ roll gear on there as well including Davy Jones jacket, Madonna’s bra, Prince’s flanger and a bottle of Pepsi signed by George Harrison.