Lost And Found of the Day: The legendary 1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom used by Peter Frampton in Frampton Comes Alive! has been returned to its original owner 30 years after the Talkbox King lost the musical instrument in a plane crash.

A cargo plane carrying Frampton’s equipment to Panama crashed in 1980, leading many, including Frampton, to believe all contents were destroyed.

Two Frampton fans who never gave up hope traced the guitar’s journey from the crash site to the Dutch island of Curacao, and, with help from the Curacao Tourist Board, managed to locate its present owner and convince them to part ways with it.

Frampton and Gibson experts authenticated it in Nashville last month, and much jubilation was had by all.

“I am still in a state of shock, first off, that the guitar even exists, let alone that it has been returned to me,” Frampton told Spinner in a statement. “I know I have my guitar back, but I will never forget the lives that were lost in this crash. I am so thankful for the efforts of those who made this possible.”

Following a few “minor repairs,” the 61-year-old plans to “reinstate” it as his #1 guitar.

[spinner / photo: gregg roth.]