STRINGS ATTACHED

Disbarred Durham prosecutor Mike Nifong claims few assets after his conduct in the Duke lacrosse case led to his dismissal.

Nifong's three guitars fetched a total of $5,100 in less than half an hour of bidding at an auction house overlooked by a giant statue of Daniel Boone.

The auction attracted curious onlookers and bidders in person, by phone and online.

We are quite sure that any number of current and/or former Duke lacrosse players and their family members would love to give a Nifong axe the Pete Townsend treatment!

According to GuitarUSA.com:

1) Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster with case, sold for $1,000: This "dream guitar" is described as "both down home and sophisticated like the Music City it honors."

2) Martin D-41 with case, sold for $2,100: This acoustic guitar has mother-of-pearl inlay and white binding. It is considered a classic by "generations of guitarists who recognize the vibrant, brilliant tone produced by peerless craftsmanship and quality woods."

3) Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 with Bird Inlay, sold for $2,000: This electric guitar is "a perfectly balanced, visually stunning, sonically overwhelming work of art." The one auctioned Sunday had a glossy green finish and small birds inlaid on the neck.

(Photo by Takaaki Iwabu/Raleigh News & Observer)