Guitars have been a popular musical instrument for centuries, and they come in a wide range of styles, materials, and prices. Some guitars, however, have become legendary and are worth millions of dollars due to their history, rarity, and unique features. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 most expensive guitars ever sold.
10. 1958 Gibson Korina Explorer ($1,100,000)
Only 19 of this fine Gibson guitars were ever made. A unique fact this one is that is not associated with a specific artist. There are a couple of famous artists who own similar models, with Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Kirk Hammett, and Slash being among the most notable. The value of this guitar is due to it’s rarity.
9. Duane Allman’s 1957 Gibson Les Paul ($1,250,000)
It is true that the highest-priced Les Paul guitar that has ever been sold is not a Sunburst, as many would think, but rather a Gold Top. This particular guitar was utilized by Duane for the initial two Allman Brothers albums, as well as for the Derek & the Dominos album, which is why it is deemed a valuable addition to this list.
At some point, the guitar was given a poor refinishing job, but it was fortunately restored back to its original condition by Tom Murphy. The guitar has had several owners, including Scot Lamar, who often allowed famous musicians such as Derek Trucks, Kirk Hammett, and Billy Gibbons to use it.
8. David Gilmour’s 1954 Fender Stratocaster ($1,815,000)
When David Gilmour made the decision to auction off a portion of his guitar collection in support of a personal charitable cause, he likely did not anticipate the remarkable outcome. The auction turned out to be an enormous success, generating millions of dollars in proceeds.
One of the most noteworthy sales of the auction was Gilmour’s 1954 Fender Stratocaster, which sold for an astonishing $1,815,000, making it the second highest-selling guitar of the auction. This guitar is remarkable not only for its association with Gilmour but also for a unique reason—it bears the serial number #0001. While it was not the very first Stratocaster ever made (that honor goes to #0100 for some reason), it is among the first batch of pre-production Stratocasters ever produced.
Furthermore, this guitar was previously owned by country musician Rex Gallion and guitar pickup innovator Seymour Duncan before coming into Gilmour’s possession. Gilmour also used it to record the iconic rhythm parts in “Another Brick in the Wall.” Given the guitar’s history and Gilmour’s affiliation with it, its inclusion on this list should come as no surprise.
7. Jerry Garcia’s “Wolf,” Made by Doug Irwin ($1,900,000)
Jerry Garcia, the legendary guitarist of The Grateful Dead, was renowned for his custom-made instruments, all of which were given unique one-word monikers such as Tiger, Alligator, Rosebud, and Lightning Bolt. One such guitar, named ‘Wolf,’ was crafted by luthier Doug Irwin as part of a series of unique, one-of-a-kind works of art.
Although Garcia stopped playing ‘Wolf’ in 1993, the guitar saw extensive use in the 1970s. After Garcia’s untimely passing in 1995, the rights to the instrument reverted back to Irwin, who sold it at auction in 2002 for $700,000. In 2017, it was sold at another auction for an astounding $1.9 million, with the proceeds going to charity.
Since then, the current owner of ‘Wolf’ has generously loaned it out to musicians who perform The Grateful Dead’s music on stage. Notably, John Mayer played the guitar with Dead and Company in 2019.
6. Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Fender Stratocaster ($2,000,000)
Jimi Hendrix was mainly recognized for playing the Stratocaster guitar, and one of the most remarkable ones is the 1968 version known as ‘Izabella.’ During his incredible performance at Woodstock on August 18, 1969, Hendrix used this guitar to play his legendary rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ This performance was part of a lengthy medley that lasted over half an hour. In 1998, Microsoft co-founder and accomplished guitarist, Paul Allen, purchased this iconic guitar for a staggering $2 million.
5. John Lennon’s 1962 Gibson J-160E Acoustic-Electric ($2,400,000)
On our list, the Gibson J-160E is one of the two acoustic guitars that John Lennon played, and it appears in numerous older performance photos of the Beatles. Lennon also extensively used it in the studio, especially on early Beatles hits such as ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘P.S. I Love You.’
During a Beatles tour in 1963, the guitar was lost and eventually sold for a modest sum of $175 in 1969 to an ordinary person. It remained unused until approximately 2014 when the then-owner’s investigative work revealed its true value.
After the guitar’s authenticity was established, it was sold at an auction in 2015 for an impressive sum of $2.4 million, which is fittingly “Beatle-y.” This sale resulted in a substantial return on investment for the original buyer who only spent $175.
4. Fender Stratocaster “Reach Out to Asia” – $2.7 million
Out of all the options on our list, this Stratocaster has a unique background. It was not owned or played by a specific artist, unlike the others. Instead, Bryan Adams conceived it as a charitable offering to help those affected by the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
This valuable guitar is special because it bears the signatures of 19 well-known musicians, including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and the members of Def Leppard.
Being in the company of such legends is an honor, and the guitar’s final price of $2.7 million certainly justifies its charitable purpose.
3. David Gilmour’s Black Stratocaster – $3.975 million
During the charity auction hosted by Gilmour, another guitar was sold to Jim Irsay, an avid fan of Pink Floyd and owner of the Indianapolis Colts. He bought it for almost $4 million, making it the most expensive guitar sold during the event. This guitar is none other than the legendary “Black Strat,” which is highly recognizable and has become an icon in its own right.
2. Kurt Cobain’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Fender Mustang ($4,500,000)
Although this guitar was sold only recently, it has already secured the second-highest selling price for a guitar ever. The Fender Mustang, which Kurt Cobain played in the music video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” exceeded its estimated sale price of $800,000 and sold for a staggering $4.5 million.
While Kurt Cobain seldom played this guitar during live performances, it is still one of his most recognizable instruments, and possibly one of the most significant instruments from the 1990s. The “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video propelled Nirvana into the mainstream, placed the Seattle music scene in the spotlight, and transformed the sound of music in the 90s.
1. Kurt Cobain’s 1959 Martin D18E ($6,000,000)
At the top of our list of the priciest guitars ever sold is the 1959 Martin D18E that belonged to Kurt Cobain. This acoustic guitar was not just any ordinary one – it was the seventh out of only 302 D18E’s that were ever produced.
However, what makes this guitar truly unique is that it was used by the grunge icon during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. This show is widely considered as one of the best in the Unplugged series, and it showcased Nirvana’s versatility, proving that they could be just as intense and dynamic in an acoustic setting as they were during their usual live concerts.
The guitar was purchased at auction by Peter Freedman, the founder of Rode Microphones, for his personal collection in 2020. With a price tag of $6.01 million, it is by far the most expensive guitar ever sold. It’s worth noting that the list might have been different if David Geffen had bought Kurt Leadbelly’s guitar.
These guitars represent some of the most unique and valuable instruments in the world, each with their own history and significance. They are a testament to the enduring popularity and cultural importance of the guitar as a musical instrument.