John Fogerty recently discussed his emotional decision to part with his iconic Rickenbacker 325 guitar after Creedence Clearwater Revival’s breakup, as well as his costly journey to reclaim it. He shared his story on the Sodajerker On Songwriting Podcast.
John Fogerty Gave Away Guitar
The legendary rocker explained how heartbreak led him to make what he now considers a foolish decision. He gave away the guitar that defined CCR’s sound to a 12-year-old fan.
“[It was a] dumb idea, [a] foolish idea, to give a guitar away that has meant so much to you and has been so much a part of your recording, right?” Fogerty said. “But I’m just a human swimming in the river that we’re all swimming in, and I was just affected by my feelings, so I gave this guitar away.”
Fogerty then described the circumstances that led to his impulsive decision in the aftermath of the band’s dissolution.
“Happily, Julie [Fogerty’s wife] went out and found my old ACME guitar, several years ago. It must be about eight years ago now, something like that,” he continued. “I had given it away to a 12-year-old kid, shortly after Creedence broke up. I think at the time, I was kind of heartbroken about my band breaking up, and all of that… hurt and heartbroken and wanting to turn over a new leaf and start a new page.”
The reunion with his beloved instrument proved to be an instantly magical moment for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
“The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. It was exactly that sound, 100 percent,” Fogerty recalled. “I dare say I haven’t heard that sound since those days when I had the guitar.”
The $90,000 investment allowed Fogerty to reconnect with the distinctive tone that helped create some of rock’s most enduring classics.
Fogerty’s Guitar Sound Defined an Era
The Rickenbacker 325 wasn’t just any instrument—it was the guitar that powered Creedence Clearwater Revival through their late ’60s explosion. Tracks like “Proud Mary,” “Green River,” and “Bad Moon Rising” carried that unmistakable jangle, a tone instantly tied to Fogerty’s songwriting and voice. Few instruments are so linked to a single era of American rock. By losing it, Fogerty wasn’t just giving up wood and strings—he was momentarily letting go of a huge piece of his identity as a musician.
Reacquiring the guitar decades later, even at the steep price of $90,000, brought everything full circle. For Fogerty, it wasn’t about the dollar figure—it was about reclaiming the spirit of the songs that defined his career and influenced many prominent guitarist. In many ways, the return of that guitar symbolized a reunion with his past and a reminder that sometimes, you can go home again.
