Introduction
For many musicians, owning a guitar is not just a matter of playing music; it’s a matter of owning a piece of history. And when it comes to history, some guitars are more valuable than others. Some are valued at millions of dollars, and their price tags have nothing to do with their sound or playability. Instead, the value lies in their history or rarity. In this blog post, we take a look at the most expensive guitar ever sold to a collector.
The Black Strat
The guitar that holds the title for the most expensive guitar ever sold to a collector is the Black Strat. The instrument was used by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame. The guitar fetched a staggering $3.95 million at an auction in New York in 2019.
The Black Strat is a 1969 Fender Stratocaster that was bought by Gilmour in May 1970. The guitar was modified over the years, and Gilmour used it to create the legendary sounds of Pink Floyd. The guitar can be heard on many of the band’s iconic albums, including “The Dark Side of the Moon,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Animals,” and “The Wall.”
The guitar’s modifications included the removal of the original tremolo arm, which was replaced by one that Gilmour created himself. The guitar also had a custom switch to allow Gilmour to switch between different pickup combinations quickly.
Over time, the guitar became known as the Black Strat, and Gilmour continued to use it on tour and in the studio. In 1997, Fender released a replica of the guitar, which became hugely popular with guitar enthusiasts.
The auction
The Black Strat was sold in June 2019, and the proceeds went to charity. The guitar was auctioned by Christie’s, and the auction house estimated that it would sell for between $100,000 and $150,000. However, the final price of $3.95 million exceeded all expectations.
The guitar was purchased by Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts football team. Irsay is a collector of rare guitars, and the Black Strat joined his extensive collection.
Other expensive guitars
While the Black Strat is the most expensive guitar ever sold to a collector, there are other guitars that have fetched huge prices at auction. Here are some other examples:
The Reach Out to Asia Fender Stratocaster
This guitar was sold at a charity auction in Qatar in 2005, and the proceeds went to aid victims of the 2004 tsunami. The guitar was signed by a who’s who of rock and pop, including Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, and Brian May. The guitar sold for $2.7 million.
The 1968 Fender Stratocaster that Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock
This guitar was played by Jimi Hendrix at the iconic Woodstock Festival in 1969. The guitar was later gifted to Frank Zappa, who sold it to an anonymous collector in 1994 for $1.3 million.
The 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard
This guitar was owned by the late Gary Moore, an Irish guitarist who played with Thin Lizzy and other bands. The guitar was auctioned by Bonhams in 2014 and sold for $2.7 million.
Conclusion
Guitars are more than just musical instruments; they are pieces of history that are cherished by collectors and music fans alike. While the Black Strat is the most expensive guitar ever sold to a collector, it is just one example of the high prices that rare and historically significant guitars can fetch at auction. Whether you are a guitar player or a collector, there is no denying the allure of these beautiful instruments.
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