Introduction
The world of guitar collecting is a fascinating one. Musicians and enthusiasts alike are always on the lookout for the most rare, unique and valuable pieces. In the guitar world, certain pieces are so rare and valuable that collectors would be willing to sell their soul for them. In this post, we will be exploring some of the rarest and most sought-after guitar pieces in the world.
The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard
The Gibson Les Paul Standard is considered one of the most iconic guitars in history. However, the 1959 model is considered the crown jewel of guitar collecting. In 1959, Gibson made a few changes to the Les Paul model that made it stand out from previous models. These changes included a thinner neck, a sunburst finish and a new type of humbucking pickup. Today, the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard is considered one of the rarest and most valuable vintage guitars in the world.
In recent years, 1959 Les Pauls have been selling for prices as high as $1 million. This guitar has been played by some of the most famous musicians in history, including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Slash. The scarcity of this model is partly attributable to low production numbers, but also because they were not successful when it first hit the market. In fact, it was not until the guitar was used by Eric Clapton, who had acquired one in 1964 for just $1,100, that it gained significant popularity.
The Gibson Flying V
The Gibson Flying V was introduced in 1958 and was unlike anything Gibson had produced before. The design was futuristic and included a solid mahogany body, a slim neck and pointed wings. It was not well-received upon first release, but has since become a classic.
The Flying V was not a commercial success initially due to its unusual shape and lack of familiar elements that guitars usually possessed. Today however, it’s one of the most iconic guitars in history. Many famous guitarists, including Jimi Hendrix and Albert King, have played the Flying V. The rarest of the Flying V models can fetch between $500,000 – $800,000 at auction.
The Fender Stratocaster “Number 1”
The Fender Stratocaster is another iconic guitar model, with a history dating back to 1954. It was introduced as a successor to the Telecaster and quickly became popular among musicians. The Fender Stratocaster “Number 1” refers to the first guitar off the assembly line of the 1954 series.
This guitar is unique, in that it was actually owned and played by the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan. It’s nicknamed the “Number One” as Vaughan played it so often, it became his signature instrument. Vaughan purchased the guitar from a pawn shop for just $350 in 1973, it would be worth more than $1 million today. Tragically, Vaughan passed away in a helicopter crash in 1990. His “Number One” guitar sat untouched for many years and was eventually returned to Vaughan’s family.
The 1968 Fender Stratocaster Prototype
The 1968 Fender Stratocaster Prototype is a guitar that was in use even before it was officially released. It was used by guitarist Jimi Hendrix, although it was never used during a performance. The Stratocaster Prototype was tested for sound quality, playability, and overall durability.
This guitar was made by Leo Fender in 1968, and as far back as 1982, it was reported that Hendrix had once owned it. According to a 2008 Rolling Stone article, the guitar was eventually sold to an anonymous collector for $531,000- a price point that demonstrates the value of its history and rarity.
The 1952 Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster is a classic guitar that has been in production since the early 1950s. The very first Telecaster debuted in 1950 and the early models are highly prized and sought after. The 1952 model is considered rare as it was produced in small quantities, and represented an important development in guitar technology.
The metallic color shading of the 1952 Telecaster, which came in either black, white or blonde, was created by a new paint spraying process. This model was also the first to have a fully adjustable bridge and a truss rod to adjust the neck, which helped the guitar gain popularity for its durability and playability. A 1952 Fender Telecaster can fetch around $35,000 today.
The Gibson Explorer
The Gibson Explorer is another rare guitar that was ahead of its time in terms of design. It was introduced in 1958 and, like the Flying V, was initially dismissed by critics. However, like the Flying V, it has since become a sought after and iconic guitar model.
The Explorer had a radical design with a sharp, angular body shape and used the same hardware as the Les Paul. The Explorer was produced in small quantities, making it an already rare guitar. A 1958 Gibson Explorer can be worth well over $500,000 today, and is considered one of the rarer Gibson designs.
Conclusion
The guitars listed here represent some of the rarest and most sought-after guitar models in the world. Their scarcity and historical importance make them highly sought after by collectors, and their astronomical sale prices reflect this. These guitars have unique stories that influence their value, and in some cases, famous musicians have played and even owned them. For collectors, owning a rare guitar is about more than just owning a valuable piece of history, it’s about owning a piece of musical culture.
Image Credit: Pexels