Every collector would agree that there aren’t much instruments in the world that are as valuable as guitars. They are timeless and historical and denote a signature status that many are willing to pay the high price so they can add them to their collection.
But, exactly how much someone is willing to pay for a guitar that was once owned by a famous musician? In this article, we uncover 5 of the most important guitars sold at auctions and how much they are paid for.
5. Keith Richards’ Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard – $977,000
Image Source: Gibson
Purchased second hand by Keith Richard, the sunburn Gibson Les Paul was considered the holy grail of all electric guitars. It was used by the Rolling Stone guitarist throughout the band’s US tours from 1964 to 1967 before it was sold to Mick Taylor who, two years later, joined the group. The guitar seemed to have been lost for some time until it resurfaced under the ownership of a private collector who bought it for a little short of $1 million in 2003.
4. Bob Marley’s Washburn – $1.4 million
Image Source: Save My Boredom
The 22-fret double cut Washburn was one of the seven guitars Bob Marley owned in his lifetime. It was first given as a present by the Jamaican musician to his guitar technician, Gary Carlsen. But, the latter, who founded a charity in honor of the late singer, reportedly sold the guitar to the Jamaican government for about $1.4 million. Although the sale was never confirmed, the guitar appears on several lists of the most expensive guitars ever sold.
3. Jimi Hendrix’ Fender Stratocaster – $1.9 million
Image Source: Shop Fender
Jimi Hendrix is remembered for burning his guitars even when he only ever burned two in his lifetime – and the 1965 Fender Stratocaster was the first to be set on fire when he sacrificed it in London, 1967. The remains of the guitar were stored in his family home until it was unearthed 40 years later and was mysteriously lost some time after. When it reappeared again, Paul Allen paid an estimated $1.9 million for it to be displayed at the Experience Music Project in Seattle, the singer’s hometown.
2. John Lennon’s Gibson J-160 Acoustic Electric – $2.4 million
Image Source: MusicRadar
The 1965 Gibson J-160 acoustic electric guitar of John Lennon was the most expensive artist-owned guitar ever sold at an auction. It was left behind at a 1963 performance and was considered lost until it turned up again in the hands of John McCaw in 2014. The guitar was estimated to fetch only about $800,000 but it took in three times its estimated value. McCaw split the profit with Yoko Ono, Lennon’s widow.
1. ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster – $2.7 million
Image Source: Guitar World
Unlike any other guitar from the list, the “Reach Out to Asia” Fender Stratocaster was not pre-owned by an artist. But, what made it the most coveted guitar are the signatures of the many iconic rock stars it features, such as those of Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Bryan Adams and 15 others. It was done so the artists can raise funds to provide aid for the victims of the 2004 tsunami that was responsible for the estimated 230,000 deaths in 14 countries that border the Indian Ocean.
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The significant history these guitars carry and the iconic musicians that once owned them have made a great difference in the music industry. It’s no wonder they are among the most sought-after instruments to this day.
Do you have any other historical guitars that should be on this list? Let us know by commenting below.
