Summary
- • Eric Clapton's 'Blackie' Fender Stratocaster sold for $959,500 in 2004
- • Jimi Hendrix's 1968 Fender Stratocaster sold for $2 million in 2008
- • Bob Dylan's 1964 Fender Stratocaster sold for $965,000 in 2013
- • Jerry Garcia's 'Wolf' guitar sold for $1.9 million in 2017
- • David Gilmour's Black Strat sold for $3.975 million in 2019
- • The 'Reach Out to Asia' Fender Stratocaster sold for $2.7 million in 2005
- • Slash's 1966 EDS-1275 doubleneck sold for $118,000 in 2017
- • Kurt Cobain's 1959 Martin D-18E sold for $6.01 million in 2020
- • The 'Crossroads' Fender Stratocaster sold for $100,000 in 1999
- • Eric Clapton's 1964 Gibson ES-335 TDC sold for $847,500 in 2004
- • The 'Platinum Fender Stratocaster' is valued at $1 million
- • The Gibson 'Kalamazoo' Les Paul is valued at $2 million
- • The 1949 Bigsby Birdseye Maple Solid Body is valued at $850,000
- • The 1958 Gibson Explorer is valued at $1 million
- • The 1949 Fender Broadcaster Prototype is valued at $375,000
Strumming their way to the top of the music world and the auction block, these rock legends have proven that not all guitars are created equal – or priced equally. From Eric Claptons Blackie Fender Stratocaster reaching stratospheric prices to Kurt Cobains iconic Martin D-18E breaking records, the strings attached to these instruments come with a hefty price tag. Lets dive into the melodious madness of the most expensive guitars ever sold, where music history meets financial milestones in a symphony of rock n roll riches.
Auction Records
- Eric Clapton's 'Blackie' Fender Stratocaster sold for $959,500 in 2004
- Jimi Hendrix's 1968 Fender Stratocaster sold for $2 million in 2008
- Bob Dylan's 1964 Fender Stratocaster sold for $965,000 in 2013
- Jerry Garcia's 'Wolf' guitar sold for $1.9 million in 2017
- David Gilmour's Black Strat sold for $3.975 million in 2019
- Slash's 1966 EDS-1275 doubleneck sold for $118,000 in 2017
- Kurt Cobain's 1959 Martin D-18E sold for $6.01 million in 2020
- Eric Clapton's 1964 Gibson ES-335 TDC sold for $847,500 in 2004
- Prince's 'Blue Angel' Cloud 2 guitar sold for $563,500 in 2020
- Duane Allman's 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop sold for $1.25 million in 2019
- Eric Clapton's 'Brownie' Stratocaster sold for $497,500 in 1999
- Keith Richards' 1959 Les Paul Standard sold for $1 million in 2003
- George Harrison's 1962 Rickenbacker 425 sold for $657,000 in 2014
- Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'Lenny' Stratocaster sold for $623,500 in 2004
- Eric Clapton's 1939 Martin 000-42 sold for $791,500 in 2004
- B.B. King's 'Lucille' Gibson ES-345 sold for $280,000 in 2019
- Jerry Garcia's 'Tiger' guitar sold for $957,500 in 2002
- Jimi Hendrix's 1965 Fender Stratocaster sold for $354,400 in 1990
- Eric Clapton's 'Ivan the Terrible' Fender Stratocaster sold for $231,000 in 2016
- Carlos Santana's 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom sold for $623,907 in 2019
- Slash's 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard sold for $343,750 in 2019
- David Gilmour's 1969 Martin D-35 sold for $1.095 million in 2019
Interpretation
In the world of rock 'n' roll, where the music is legendary and the guitars are even more so, prices can skyrocket faster than a shredding solo. From Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain, these iconic musicians have left their mark not only on music history but also on the auction block. It seems that owning a piece of rock history doesn't come cheap, with prices reaching stratospheric heights. With guitars fetching millions of dollars, one can't help but wonder: Are they buying a musical instrument, a piece of art, or a time machine back to the golden age of rock? Either way, it's clear that the value of these guitars goes far beyond their strings and wood, embodying the spirit and soul of the artists who wielded them.
Celebrity-Owned Guitars
- The 'Dragon' Telecaster played by Jimmy Page is valued at $350,000
- Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat is valued at $100,000
- The 'Mirror' Fender Stratocaster played by Jimi Hendrix is valued at $1 million
- The 'Trigger' Willie Nelson's Martin N-20 is valued at $800,000
- John Lennon's 1958 Rickenbacker 325 is valued at $600,000
- The 'Salmon' D'Angelico Excel owned by Eric Clapton is valued at $500,000
- Eric Clapton's 1964 Gibson SG 'The Fool' is valued at $500,000
- George Harrison's 1963 Rickenbacker 360/12 is valued at $500,000
- Bob Marley's Washburn 22-Series Hawk is valued at $1.2 million
- Keith Richards' 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom is valued at $1 million
- Paul McCartney's 1964 Fender Esquire is valued at $500,000
- Jimi Hendrix's 1967 Gibson Flying V is valued at $750,000
- Eric Clapton's 1956 Fender Stratocaster 'Brownie' is valued at $450,000
- John Lennon's 1962 Gibson J-160E is valued at $2.4 million
Interpretation
In the world of rock 'n' roll, guitar heroes don't just strum strings, they wield weapons of mass musical destruction worth more than most people's homes. From the celestial soundscapes of Jimi Hendrix's million-dollar 'Mirror' to the rebellious twang of Willie Nelson's 'Trigger,' these instruments are not just guitars but relics of sonic history. The value of these axes isn't just in their price tag, but in the soulful stories and revolutionary riffs they've birthed. So next time you hear a soaring solo or a killer lick, remember, behind every note is a guitar worth more than your wildest rock star dreams.
Charity Auctions
- The 'Reach Out to Asia' Fender Stratocaster sold for $2.7 million in 2005
- The 'Crossroads' Fender Stratocaster sold for $100,000 in 1999
Interpretation
In the world of guitars, it seems that the strings of wealth can strum quite melodiously. The 'Reach Out to Asia' Fender Stratocaster, fetching a cool $2.7 million in 2005, sings a tune of prosperity that reverberates through the halls of high-end instrument auctions. Meanwhile, the 'Crossroads' Fender Stratocaster, commanding a mere $100,000 in 1999, still manages to hit all the right notes as a symbol of luxury for those with slightly less extravagant tastes. So whether your wallet sings a symphony or simply hums a casual melody, these guitars prove that in the world of music and money, every strum carries its own tune.
Custom-Made Guitars
- The 'Platinum Fender Stratocaster' is valued at $1 million
Interpretation
With a price tag that could make even a seasoned rockstar do a double take, the 'Platinum Fender Stratocaster' is not just a guitar—it's a statement piece. This sparkling six-string doesn't just make music; it commands attention and demands to be noticed. Valued at a cool $1 million, it's not just a guitar; it's a status symbol, a testament to the enduring allure of rock 'n' roll excess. Because when it comes to guitars, it's not just about the music—it's also about the price tag that comes with it.
Vintage Guitars
- The Gibson 'Kalamazoo' Les Paul is valued at $2 million
- The 1949 Bigsby Birdseye Maple Solid Body is valued at $850,000
- The 1958 Gibson Explorer is valued at $1 million
- The 1949 Fender Broadcaster Prototype is valued at $375,000
- The 1930 Martin OM-45 Deluxe is valued at $400,000
- The 1958 Gibson Flying V is valued at $900,000
- The 1907 'The Fool' Gibson Style O is valued at $375,000
- The 1959 Les Paul Standard 'Holy Grail' is valued at $500,000
- The 1951 Fender 'Nocaster' is valued at $250,000
- The 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard 'Burst' is valued at $300,000
- The 1954 Fender Stratocaster #0001 is valued at $250,000
- The 1958 Korina Gibson Explorer is valued at $1 million
- The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty' is valued at $250,000
- The 1958 Gibson ES-335 is valued at $200,000
- The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard 'Sunburst' is valued at $500,000
- The 1952 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop is valued at $100,000
- The 1958 Fender Stratocaster 'Mary Kaye' is valued at $150,000
- The 1956 Gretsch White Falcon is valued at $100,000
- The 1959 Fender Stratocaster 'Burst' is valued at $150,000
- The 1960 Gibson ES-335 TD is valued at $150,000
- The 1957 Fender Stratocaster 'Mary Kaye' is valued at $100,000
- The 1958 Fender Precision Bass is valued at $75,000
- The 1959 Fender Jazzmaster is valued at $50,000
- The 1960 Gibson Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty' is valued at $200,000
- The 1958 Fender Telecaster is valued at $50,000
- The 1959 Gretsch 6128 Duo Jet is valued at $75,000
Interpretation
In the world of guitars, it seems strumming your way to fame and fortune doesn't just involve catchy riffs, but also some serious banknotes. From the vintage allure of the 1959 Les Paul Standard 'Holy Grail' to the rock 'n' roll attitude of the 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard 'Burst,' these strings come with a price tag that could make any musician's heart skip a beat. With values that could make pirates envious, these guitars are more than just instruments - they're pieces of history, music icons clad in wood and steel, commanding prices that are music to any collector's ears. So, if you ever find yourself in possession of one of these prized possessions, strum carefully - not only for the music but also to ensure you're not plucking away at a fortune!
