Himanshi
Here is the list of the current top ten most expensive guitars in the world that have ever sold. These guitar consists of everything, from Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E to John Lennon’s 1962 Gibson J-160E.
Most Expensive Guitars In The World
Kurt Cobain Martin D-18E
Estimate Value: $6,010,000
The guitar Cobain performed with during the grunge-rock special MTV Unplugged in April 1993 was recently sold in June 2020. Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E was auctioned at a price of a whopping $6 million in Los Angeles, putting a record for any guitar. This went to Peter Freedman, the founder of RODE Microphones, after a bidding war.
The funky acoustic-electric 1959 Martin D-18E was played by Nirvana at their unconventional ‘ MTV Unplugged’ gig, which later Tina out to become one of the biggest live rock albums of all time. Less than half a year after that, the vocalist of the Nirvana band Cobain committed suicide at the age of 27.
Kurt Cobain’s Smells Like Teen Spirit Fender Mustang
Estimate Value: $4,550,000
Cobain has the second highest bid for guitars. Kurt Cobain’s Smells Like Teen Spirit Fender Mustang was used in the video of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ in 1991. Nirvana’s hit single, which turned into the one played in mosh pits, was about a protest song for teenagers. The guitar went for $4 Million in May 2022 as it was highly demanded. 7 million dollars bought by the owner of the Indianapolis Colts football team, Jim Irsay, who added the piece to the other rare instruments.
David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster
Estimate Value: $3,975,000
Black Strat is one of David Gilmour’s most known guitars and among those that were altered the most, there was the one which was purchased at Manny’s Music in New York, it was a 1968 Sunburst model, which was painted black before Gilmour acquired it in 1970. It came with a Maple neck with a late-60’s oversized headstock; during 70s Gilmour used two necks from 50s, one being rosewood and the other Maple.
However, over the years since the pickups, tuners, pots, tremolo, and scratchplate have been changed, it is believed that the two only authentic parts of this guitar are the body, the selector switch and, perhaps, the bridge plate. Nevertheless, the Black Strat remains Gilmour’s most famous asset, which is the essence of Money, Comfortably Numb, and many other numbers. In addition, it has become an exhibited piece at the Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay’s assortment.
David Gilmour Martin D-35
Estimate Value: $1,095,000
In June 2019, one of the legendary Fender Stratocasters used by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, nicknamed “Black Strat”, that was used during a recording of “The Dark Side of the Moon” album was sold for nearly $4 million – the highest price of that time and is listed among the top from on the list of most expensive guitars in the world. It was sold to Irsay at a charity sale at Christie’s that raised $21. 5 million for the environment cause.
Duane Allman’s 1957 Gibson Les Paul
Estimate Value: $1,250,000
There is something that the auction buyers love about Eric Clapton. Allman employed Duane Allman’s 1957 Gibson Les Paul in the first two Allman Brothers records and then laid down Derek and the Dominos’ Layla along with Other Assorted Love Songs at least partially. Allman traded the guitar later for a Burst soon after but desired to retain the 57’s pickups, and therefore, this model has the rather oddity of having 59 PAFs mounted. It was severely refinished after it left Allman, but it has now been restored, and it’s a beauty to behold.
Eric Clapton’s ‘Fool’ 1964 Gibson SG
Estimate Value: $1,270,000
Clapton’s most precious one and the guitar was auctioned off in May of 2023 and could be the most expensive one to have ever been sold, at least according to some. Originating from the days of the Clapton of Cream, the Fool mirrors the entire psychedelic era in music; the 1964 Gibson SG was named so because of a Dutch art group that painted its signature finish on it. Sunshine of Your Love, White Room, I Feel Free… This entire Woman tone of Clapton is wrapped up in this guitar. It was later bought by another familiar face – Jim Irsay.
Elvis Presley Martin D-18
Estimate Value: $1,300,000
Some musicians recorded while using different guitars; however, one of the most significant guitars used by the King during his career was the Martin D-18, which he used between the years 1954 and 1956 while recording at the Sun studios in Memphis That’s All Right (Mama), Blue Moon of Kentucky and Good Rockin’ Tonight were recorded while using this particular guitar. Elvis Presley’s ‘Sun Sessions’ Martin D-18 was released in the year 1942. This guitar was sold for a lesser amount than the estimated price of it.
Jerry Garcia Wolf Guitar
Estimate Value: $1,900,000
Another utterly original construction for the Grateful Dead man by means of Doug Irwin, the Wolf is potentially even more idiosyncratic than the Tiger, with a framework carved from ultra-durable purpleheart, covered at the back and front with visually bookmatched maple. In addition to this, there is a brand-new plate system to mount the pickups that enables Garcia to alter them from their standard SSS position to the HHS they have it in now. The painting known as The Wolf was sold on February 26, 2017, and the received amount was donated to the SPLC.
John Lennon’s 1962 Gibson J-160E
Estimate Value: $2,410,000
Being neither a pretty sight nor an example of good taste with electric like volume, and tone knobs. Moreover, the pole pieces of a P-90 pickup rather crudely protruding through the top between the neck and soundhole, the J-160E was, for all that, a perfect tool for young song-writers seeking amplification in the early 6-ettes and it cut the ice with two young cats from Liverpool named John Lennon and George Harrison. It is known that this John Lennon’s 1962 Gibson J-160E can be used in recording “Love Me Do” and has remained Lennon’s favourite acoustic guitar all his years.
‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster
Estimate Value: $2,700,000
An oddity on this list, this guitar isn’t even an axe of a legendary performer. It is believed that ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster it is simply a Mexican made white Fender Strat that was signed by – deepest breath – Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Brian May Keith Richards, , Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler, Ray Davies, Pete Townshend, , Liam Gallagher and Ronnie Wood.
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