A recent episode of the History Channel's "Pawn Stars" TV-show had a gentlemen come in to sell an original 1961 Fender Stratocaster. Turns out the seller's name is Vic Flick. Apparently I have missed this name over the years and it turns out he was a rather famous studio musician, but in Britain. I guess he is kind of like a British equivalent to the "Wrecking Crew" LA session players in the 60's. It can be argued he is probably most famous and familiar for the James Bond 007 Theme (da-deda-da-dah-dah-dah-dah, de-deda-dee-dee-dee-dee, etc). Also did guitar work for Herman's Hermits, Dusty Springfield, Shirly Bassey, Petula Clark, Tom Jones, Ringo's Theme from "A Hard Day's Night", and many more familiar tunes.
 
Note that a Clifford Essex Paragon De Luxe was actually the guitar used for the James Bond 007 Theme.
 
The  "Pawn Stars" bought it for $55,000. Vic was a very humble, polite chap I must say.
 
If interested, here's more:
http://www.guitarman.com/vicography.asp
 
Also last time I checked, they had the show streaming here:
http://www.history.com/shows/pawn-stars/videos/pawn-stars-no-shoes-no-shirt-no-service
 

Thanks for the history.  Now I know what guitar was used.  What a beauty!
 
Rimshot
 

On the surface, it seems kind of sad that Mr. Flick had to resort to pawning such a historic guitar for whatever reason.  I'd imagine an outright sale or auction would have gotten him much more money.  Now, it sounds like the pawn broker will get most of the profit.  I haven't seen the show, so I don't know any of the details about his situation.  I don't have time right now to look at the video.
 
Thanks for the background about all the songs and movies Mr. Flick has been involved with.  He should have been more well known like the "Wrecking Crew".  What happened there? 

Yes. I always wonder about the reasons for these types of sales. They had another past episode where Mary Ford's 61 Gibson SG was bought for $90,000 by the 'Pawn Stars'. I believe it was sold by a nephew. That one seems plausible since there may be no sentimentality associated with the item and the nephew other than money. With Vic, it was a little painful watching from that perspective.
 
Many times on the show they will tell a seller they could probably get more at auction, but they point out there is more work involved also, plus the hefty auction commissions. At the pawn shop, it is a cash transaction and you walk out the door. Myself, I have a hard time considering selling any guitar I own. But if I ever had serious money issues, I guess that would be an option to consider. I hope that wasn't the issue for Mr. Flick. Although $55,000 sure is an attractive price.

I don't think selling it to Rick on Pawn Stars is the equivalent to selling something at a local pawn shop.
 
I have not brought anything into a pawn shop since 1983 (which I regret to this day) but when I did it, I certainly wasn't featured a very popular television series ... and the talked about in the CH. 

quantumeffect
I don't think selling it to Rick on Pawn Stars is the equivalent to selling something at a local pawn shop.
 
I have not brought anything into a pawn shop since 1983 (which I regret to this day) but when I did it, I certainly wasn't featured a very popular television series ... and the talked about in the CH. 

I'm sure you're right about the local pawn shops--and they do serve a purpose.  There's nothing wrong with using them.  It's just that a guitar like that that's been played on so many songs and movies should be treated better than being sold on a reality show.  I admit that I know very little about Pawn Stars.  It's on a cable channel that I don't get.  Perhaps it was an entirely appropriate transaction.  Still, I'd bet that Vic could have sold the guitar for much more than he got from Rick. 
 
On the other hand, the reality show brought Vic Flick to you and to us.  I guess it was worth getting Vic's name out there for us. 

I think the 007c theme was the best.

I saw that episode of P S just last night 
I'm wondering why no body on the show brought up the fact that his treble pick up was or looked like a dual blade style pick up 
I'm just surprised there was  not a peep from the so called experts .....concerning the mystery treble pick up ...
I wonder if it was edited out of the show since its a rather obvious omission ...
 
Kenny