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Stage-used glossy black Takamine Steve Wariner Signature Series electric-acoustic guitar from the personal collection of Alto Reed, the longtime saxophonist for Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band, whose work on classic songs like ‘Turn the Page’ and ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’ helped define the sound of American heartland rock. This handsome guitar, model number “SW341SC,” was played on stage by Reed throughout Seger’s last-ever large-scale concert series, the 2018-2019 Roll Me Away Tour (originally called the Travelin' Man Tour when first announced), which began at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 21, 2018, and concluded at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 1, 2019. This guitar was used specifically by Reed when the band performed renditions of the song ‘Beautiful Loser,’ and the Rodney Crowell song, ‘Shame on the Moon.’ The headstock bears an affixed label identifying the tuning as “E,” and the side of the upper bout bears three labels: “Shame on the Moon,” “Beautiful Loser,” and “Alto Reed.” Includes its original Takamine hardshell carrying case. In fine condition, with some light scattered marks, and an affixed padding of tape on the back.
Although a talented guitar player in his own right, Alto Reed became a defining part of Bob Seger’s sound when he joined the band as saxophonist on the 1973 album Back in ’72. What followed was a 42-year run touring with the Silver Bullet Band, where Reed’s saxophone grew into a second voice within the music. His playing wasn’t ornamental; it carried emotion and meaning, most famously on 'Turn the Page,' where his restrained, mournful tone captured a sense of loneliness and resilience. That sound helped shape an era of American rock, quietly bridging Seger’s storytelling lyrics with melodic depth. Beyond his long partnership with Seger, Reed performed with a wide range of artists across rock and blues, including Foghat, Grand Funk Railroad, Little Feat, Otis Rush, George Thorogood, Robin Gibb, and many others.
Following Reed’s death in 2020, Seger said the following about his late friend: ‘I loved him like a brother. I may have been the leader, but he was our rock star. He was the audience favorite, hands down. He was bold and worldly. I learned so much from the guy. And he was a great ambassador to the fans. He took time for everybody, any picture, anywhere. I can’t say enough good things about him.’
From the collection of Alto Reed, accompanied by a letter of provenance from Victoria Reed.
