Not so long ago, one of the violins of the great Stradivarius kept the title of the most expensive musical instrument in the world sold at auction ever. This tool cost the buyer $ 2.3 million and, until recently, was a record for auction trading (three times as much appeared in private transactions).
The auction record was broken in 2005. The most expensive guitar in the world put up for sale by the royal family of Qatar for $ 2.8 million.
This tool certainly deserves attention. However, it is not so unique in its way. In our article you will find a selection of the most expensive guitars that have ever been sold at auction.
Fender Broadcaster Prototype
Even in our time, the price of $ 375,000 seems huge, and in 1994 it was simply fabulous and could easily award the acquisition with the title "The most expensive guitar in the world." What was the reason for this amount on the price tag?
Various factors affected. First of all, this is the big name of the creator - the author and seller of the guitar itself is the legendary Leo Fender. In addition, the tool was truly unique - this model was nothing more than the prototype of a series that subsequently brought worldwide fame to the Fender empire.
Gold leaf stratocaster
The cost of this guitar was $ 455,550. The author of the idea and the former owner of the instrument is Eric Clapton. Probably the musician set out to get something out of the ordinary when he developed the concept. Probably, he wanted the most expensive guitar in the world to belong to him, and therefore ordered the Fender company an exclusive model with a gold coating.
Masters realized the wishes of the famous customer to realize “something worthy of the Louvre”. But a year later, the magnificent gold inlaid guitar was at Christie's auction and quickly went under the hammer to the new owner.
Gibson SG
The next guitar was sold for more than half a million for a reason. No joke - she was in the hands of John Lennon and Jim Harrison!
You can see this beauty in many old pictures from the Beatles concerts. Later it went to Peter Ham (BADFINGER), after whose death several decades dusted unclear where. Fortunately, a wonderful tool with a unique history was not completely lost and went to auction. Some anonymous admirer of the Beatles for the sake of such an acquisition parted with 570 thousand dollars.
Lenny - Fender Composite Stratocaster
In the distant 1980, the great American bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughn got this instrument as a gift from his wife Lenny. Stevie never parted with his guitar and affectionately turned to her - “my girl”.
It cannot be said that in those days it was the most expensive guitar in the world, but when in 2004 it was put up for auction, there were many who wanted to buy an instrument for a tidy sum. The buyer gave away for a guitar with a monogram SRV for $ 623,500; funds were transferred to a charity fund.
CF Martin & Co
Another Eric Clapton instrument takes its place among the most expensive guitars. This time no gold and no dreams of the Louvre. The only advantages are the 1939 model year and the star status of the owner.
However, today it is the most expensive acoustic guitar in the world. She was sold for $ 791,500.
Gibson ES0335 TDC
Incredibly, the next instrument also once belonged to Clapton. It was on her that young Eric played his first solo trills back in 1964.
By the way, this instrument is the most expensive classical guitar in the world that Gibson has ever produced. To date, not one of the instruments of this legendary brand has broken a record of $ 847,500, which belongs to Clapton's guitar.
Blackie - Stratocaster hybrid
And again Eric Clapton, this time with the legendary Blackie. It is known that in the 70s, succumbing to the influence of Jimi Hendrix, Eric cheated on his beloved Gibson by choosing the Fender Stratocaster. In one of the Texas stores, the musician purchased six identical guitars, all for a hundred dollars each. He gave away three of them to fellow musicians, the rest he left to himself, choosing one from this trinity for permanent use. She got the name Blackie and sounded at the singer’s concerts for many years, until she had a problem with the neck.
In 2004, this guitar was sold at auction for nearly a million dollars.
Washburn 22 series Hawk
“Take it for a case, the essence of which you will find out later,” said Bob Marley to Gary Carlsen back in 1971, handing him this guitar.
Gary, a professional guitar maker, interpreted the words of the legendary musician in his own way and founded a charity foundation, within the walls of which this instrument remains to this day. The guitar of Bob Marley is a national treasure of his homeland of Jamaica.
This is the main prize of the lottery organized by the Carlsen Foundation. By and large, everyone can dream that he will get the most expensive guitar in the world.
Experts say that the cost of this tool is approximately $ 2 million.
Stratocaster
This instrument was played by Jimi Hendrix himself at the Woodstock festival. It is not surprising that the cost of this guitar is estimated at $ 2,000,000.
Do you dream that you will get the most expensive guitar in the world (you see the photo in the following illustration) and are even ready to spend a huge amount on it? It is unlikely that luck will smile at you. The location of this instrument is currently unknown.
The last time this tool was lit at auction back in the 90s. Rumor has it that it was acquired by one of the Microsoft bosses for $ 2 million.
Fender Stratocaster (Reach out to Asia)
The big name of the manufacturer indicates the highest quality of the tool. But the most expensive guitar in the world is appreciated not only by this.
It was presented to a charity auction by Brian Adams, whose autograph flaunts on the case. And besides him, many other stars left their signatures on this instrument, including Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Jimmy Page, Paul McCartney, Jeff Back, Kate Richards and many others.
She bought the guitar of the sheikh Qatar's daughter, known for her passion for insanely expensive purchases. In the future, the guitar will again be put up for auction at a charity.
A couple more records
The most expensive bass in the world is also noteworthy. Today, this title is proudly held by Flora Aurum, created by the great master Jens Ritter. In 2005, an anonymous buyer laid out for a gold-encrusted bass guitar, created in a single copy, a quarter of a million dollars.
Well, those who purchase luxury-class tools cannot do without suitable accessories. For example, the British company Timber Tones, which offers palladium, gold and platinum picks, the cost of which can reach 7.8 thousand dollars, is ready to satisfy a demanding client.