Are These 10 Rare Guitars Worth Millions? #4 Will Shock You!
Guitars have been an integral part of numerous music genres, ranging from rock to bluegrass. While many people can strum a few chords on a guitar, some have taken their love of music and rare guitars to another level. These individuals don’t mind spending millions to acquire some of the rarest guitars in the world. In this blog post, we take a look at ten rare guitars that are worth millions. We’ll examine each guitar in depth and give you insights as to why they’re worth so much. From the most expensive guitar ever sold to the most iconic guitars in music history, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- Gibson SG Custom
- Blackie Stratocaster
- The ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster
- The ‘Jerry Garcia’ Wolf
- The 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard ‘Burst’
- The Eric Clapton ‘Crossroads’ Stratocaster
- The Washburn ‘Lyon & Healy’ Style 42
- The 1958 Gibson Flying V
- The ‘Black Beauty’ Les Paul Custom
- The 1964 Fender Stratocaster
1. Gibson SG Custom
The Gibson SG Custom is a rare guitar that’s worth approximately $140,000. This guitar was first introduced in 1963 and is renowned for its sleek design, which makes it very comfortable to play. The SG Custom features a solid mahogany body and a mahogany neck, which gives it a warm and rich tone. The electric guitar also has three black PAF humbucking pickups, which deliver a distinctive growl that’s favored by many rock guitarists.
One of the most unique aspects of the SG Custom is its rare ‘fretless wonder’ fretboard, which features low, smooth frets that make it much easier to play. This feature also makes it easier to bend the strings, which is why the SG Custom has been used in countless music recordings over the years. The first SG Custom ever made was purchased by none other than George Harrison, making it an exceedingly rare and valuable guitar.
2. Blackie Stratocaster
The Blackie Stratocaster was owned by the legendary Eric Clapton and was bought by him in the 1970s. Clapton used the guitar in countless concerts and recordings over the years, which has made it one of the most iconic guitars in history. The Blackie Stratocaster is worth approximately $959,000.
The guitar was made by combining parts from three different 1950s Stratocasters. Clapton gave the guitar its distinctive black color by painting it himself. The guitar is a testament to Clapton’s skill as a musician and guitar player, and it has played a massive role in shaping the history of rock and blues music. The Blackie Stratocaster was eventually sold at auction in 2004, and the proceeds went to benefit Clapton’s charity organization.
3. The ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster
The ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster is a rare guitar that was auctioned off for charity in 2005. This guitar is worth approximately $2.7 million, which makes it one of the most expensive guitars ever sold. The guitar was signed by more than 19 legendary rock guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Brian May, and Jeff Beck. The guitar was sold to raise funds for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in 2004.
What makes the ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster so unique is its one-of-a-kind paint job. The guitar is emblazoned with a colorful design that features Arabic writing, which reads ‘Reach Out to Asia’. The guitar is a testament to the power of music and its ability to bring people together in times of crisis.
4. The ‘Jerry Garcia’ Wolf
The ‘Jerry Garcia’ Wolf is a rare guitar that’s worth approximately $1 million. This guitar was owned by the legendary Jerry Garcia, who played it in countless concerts. The ‘Wolf’ was custom-made for Garcia by luthier Doug Irwin, who made a total of seven custom guitars for the Grateful Dead lead guitarist.
The ‘Wolf’ is known for its elaborate engravings and unique shape, which make it a piece of art as much as a guitar. The guitar features a solid cocobolo body, a rosewood neck, and a paua shell inlaid between the frets. The ‘Wolf’ is as unique as Garcia himself, and it remains a beloved artifact of his legendary career in music.
5. The 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard ‘Burst’
The 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard ‘Burst’ is one of the rarest and most expensive guitars in the world. This guitar is worth approximately $500,000, and only a handful of them were ever made. The guitar was only in production for a few years, and it was discontinued in 1961 due to lack of demand and high production costs.
The Gibson Les Paul Standard ‘Burst’ is known for its mahogany body, maple top, and PAF humbucking pickups. The guitar has a bright and clear tone that’s perfect for playing blues and rock. The guitar’s rarity and its association with some of the greatest guitarists in history make it one of the most coveted guitars in the world.
6. The Eric Clapton ‘Crossroads’ Stratocaster
The Eric Clapton ‘Crossroads’ Stratocaster is worth approximately $30,000, and it’s one of the most iconic guitars in history. The guitar is named after the annual Crossroads Guitar Festival, which was organized by Clapton to raise money for his charity organization. The guitar is an exact replica of Clapton’s own guitar, which he used in countless concerts and recordings over the years.
The ‘Crossroads’ Stratocaster features a black finish, a maple neck, and three Vintage Noiseless single-coil pickups. The guitar has a bright and clear tone that’s perfect for playing blues and rock. The guitar’s association with Clapton and its iconic status make it a highly valuable piece of music history.
7. The Washburn ‘Lyon & Healy’ Style 42
The Washburn ‘Lyon & Healy’ Style 42 is a rare guitar that was made in the late 1800s. This guitar is worth approximately $1.2 million, and it’s one of the oldest and most valuable guitars in the world. The guitar was made by Washburn, which is a company that’s still in business today, but its early guitars are extremely rare and valuable.
The guitar features elaborate inlays and intricate designs, which make it a piece of art as well as a guitar. The guitar has a rich and warm tone that’s perfect for playing acoustic music. The guitar’s age and rarity make it a highly desirable piece of music history.
8. The 1958 Gibson Flying V
The 1958 Gibson Flying V is a rare guitar that’s worth approximately $200,000. This guitar was introduced in the late 1950s and was one of the first guitars to feature an asymmetrical design. The guitar has a solid mahogany body, a maple neck, and PAF humbucking pickups, which give it a bright and clear tone that’s perfect for playing rock and blues.
The Flying V was not well-received upon its initial release, and only a small number of them were ever made. The guitar’s rarity and its association with some of the greatest guitarists in history make it one of the most coveted guitars in the world.
9. The ‘Black Beauty’ Les Paul Custom
The ‘Black Beauty’ Les Paul Custom is a rare guitar that’s worth approximately $200,000. This guitar was first introduced in the late 1950s and is known for its distinctive black finish and gold hardware. The guitar has a solid mahogany body, a maple top, and three PAF humbucking pickups.
The ‘Black Beauty’ Les Paul Custom is associated with numerous famous guitarists, including Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, and Les Paul himself. The guitar has a warm and rich tone that’s perfect for playing blues and rock music.
10. The 1964 Fender Stratocaster
The 1964 Fender Stratocaster is a rare guitar that’s worth approximately $40,000. This guitar is associated with numerous famous guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The guitar is known for its distinctive Olympic White finish, maple neck, and three single-coil pickups.
The guitar’s tone is bright and clear, which makes it perfect for playing blues and rock music. The guitar remains highly desirable to collectors and musicians alike, and it represents one of the most iconic guitars in history.
Beyond Valuation: Every Guitar Has a Story to Tell
While the guitars we’ve discussed in this blog post are worth millions, they’re more than just expensive pieces of wood and electronics. Each of these guitars has a story to tell, and they’ve played a significant role in shaping the history of music. From the ‘Blackie’ Stratocaster to the 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard ‘Burst’, each guitar has a unique story that’s worth exploring. Guitars, like any musical instrument, have the power to move us in ways that words cannot. That’s what makes them so special.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive guitar in the world?
The most expensive guitar in the world is the ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster, which was sold at auction for approximately $2.7 million.
What makes a guitar valuable?
There are several factors that can make a guitar valuable, including its rarity, its historical significance, and its association with famous musicians.
What is the rarest guitar in the world?
The rarest guitar in the world is the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard ‘Burst’, of which only six are known to exist.
What is the most iconic guitar in history?
The most iconic guitar in history is likely the Fender Stratocaster, which has been played by countless famous musicians over the years.
Image Credit: Pexels