Photo: Denholm/Getty

The mystery of Peter Buck’s stolen guitar has been solved, as the R.E.M. guitarist was reunited with his prized Rickenbacker earlier this week. An anonymous source returned the guitar to Buck prior to the band’s show in Luxembourg. The axe had disappeared after a show in Helsinki, Finland two weeks ago. According to R.E.M. reps, the guitar’s rare nature made it almost impossible to sell it on the black market, or any market, without raising any red flags. Thus, the captor returned it to Buck to avoid any trouble. “It’s great to have it back in my hands,” Buck said. “We were always hopeful it would turn up, and thanks to the efforts of a lot of people, we are thrilled to have it back in Peter’s possession,” R.E.M.’s manager Bertis Downs said. “We are grateful and very happy that it worked out this way.”

Related Stories:

• R.E.M. Signature Guitar Stolen In Helsinki, Reward Offered

• R.E.M. Rock Hard on New Songs, Rarely Played Tracks at the Hollywood Bowl

• R.E.M. Look Back at Their Albums