The Most Expensive Guitars Ever Sold.

Expensive guitars: The side of the music industry we don’t always see…

The soulful resonance of finely tuned guitar strings, the electrifying riffs that awaken emotions, and the melodies that capture hearts – the guitar has long held a special place in the hearts of musicians and music enthusiasts alike. Throughout history, this iconic instrument has witnessed the rise of legends and ignited the passion of countless aspiring artists. Yet, amidst the sea of guitars that span various brands, styles, and price ranges, there exists a select few that have transcended mere musical instruments to become exquisite works of art, revered for their history, craftsmanship, and, most notably, their jaw-dropping price tags.

In the world of priceless musical treasures, these guitars stand out like dazzling gems, capturing the imagination and fascination of collectors, musicians, and admirers alike. Some liken them to the Stradivarius violins of the classical music realm – instruments that hold an unparalleled value and represent the pinnacle of artistic achievement.

In this blog, we embark on a journey through the realm of the most expensive guitars ever sold, exploring the tales of these extraordinary instruments that have made headlines and smashed auction records. From the iconic Fender Stratocasters played by legendary musicians to the rarest Gibson Les Paul Standards with their fabled “Burst” finish, each guitar has a story to tell that spans decades of music history and resonates with the hearts of those who cherish the artistry of sound.

So, let’s delve into the world of strumming luxury, where craftsmanship meets legend, and where the strings of these extraordinary guitars have not only produced harmonies but also woven stories of passion, artistry, and record-breaking prices. Join us as we celebrate these musical marvels, appreciating the magic they hold, regardless of the numbers that define their worth.

5. The Reach Out to Asia Fender Stratocaster

In 2004 a horrendous wave of tsunamis swept through the coastlines of Asia causing unprecedented damage, death and despair. The world responded with many different fundraisers, aid packages and support from governments, charities and volunteers.

The music scene responded in one of the most brilliant ways it possibly could. A Mexican-made Fender Stratocaster (worth just £350 at the time) was signed by some of the biggest names in music history and auctioned off for a massive $2.8 million and the proceeds went straight to Reach Out to Asia to help those affected.

The fundraiser was organised by Bryan Adams, and it was signed by Adams along with 18 other artists including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend, Mark Knopfler, Ray Davies, Liam Gallagher, Ronnie Wood, Tony Iommi, Angus and Malcolm Young, Paul McCartney, Sting, Ritchie Blackmore, and Def Leppard.

This guitar is a symbol of what the music industry is worth, and what it can achieve for the world in times of trouble.

4. Eddie Van Halen’s Hot For Teacher Kramer

EVH’s custom-made Kramer guitar was played in the incredible ‘Hot For Teacher’ track that defined Van Halen as a band and was one of the most iconic guitars in the world during the peak of the MTV era. This guitar was put to auction in 2023 and sold for an unbelievable $3.9 million making it the 4th most expensive sold to date.

This guitar was built and made specifically for EVH making it one of a kind. It contained a Poplar double-cut “Strat” style body, the top routed for a single double-coil Seymour Duncan humbucker pickup, volume control, Floyd Rose bridge with whammy bar, unvarnished 22 fret maple bolt-on neck (stamped “UNK” on heel) with Kramer sticker on headstock, unvarnished body and headstock spray painted with Van Halen’s characteristic black and white abstract stripe design on a red ground, rear routed for the Floyd Rose’s three springs and stop, no pick guard or rear cover (as designed), screw holes on the back for Eddie Van Halen’s patented flip-up rest (for playing the guitar horizontally.)

Truly a piece of musical history.

3. David Gilmour’s Black Stratocaster

David Gilmour is one of the most notable figures in the world of music globally, especially in the guitar world. ‘The Black Strat’ was used throughout Gilmour’s solo career and in performances and recordings of Pink Floyd songs including “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, “Money” and “Comfortably Numb”.

‘The Black Strat’ was purchased by Gilmour in 1970 to replace a guitar that he lost on a Pink Floyd tour in America. It underwent many modifications over its lifetime including swapping the neck between maple and rosewood, added Gibson Humbuckers, the bridge was swapped in out and for various tremolo systems and loads more. This guitar had a stint at the Hard Rock Cafe, in Dallas where it underwent some serious damage and theft.

After repair and restoration, Gilmour put this historic guitar up for auction where it ended up selling for a whopping $3.97 million making it the 3rd most expensive guitar ever sold.

2. Kurt Cobain’s Fender Mustang Guitar

We have all seen this guitar before right? This absolute beast was used in the world-famous “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video. This music video was a huge part of Nirvana’s rise to absolute and complete stardom, and what is seen as the building block for grunge music across the world.

This guitar ended up being sold to the Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay (who actually bought David Gilmour’s Black Strat too) for the sum of $4.5 million. This world-famous left-handed guitar was estimated at $800,000 and the final sale price absolutely smashed that.

And Finally… Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E

Kurt Cobain doesn’t just hold the 2nd most expensive guitar sale, but the 1st too! In the iconic MTV Unplugged performance, Cobain used a 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic-electric guitar and it sounded absolutely incredible. This performance holds a special place in the hearts of Nirvana fans because it was just 5 months prior to the death of Kurt.

Watch this world-class performance here

The man who purchased this piece of music history was the founder of Rode Microphones, Peter Freedman. Freedman spent just over $6 million on this guitar and has promised that he will take it on a world tour, giving us the chance to see it ourselves.

“It’s a big deal. I didn’t even buy it for me,” he told the news.

“I paid for it but I’m going to use it to highlight the plight of artists worldwide by touring it around, and then I’m going to sell it and use the dough for that as well, later.”

“Musicians and artists have supported my family since the ’60s. We’ve been in that game forever so I’ve been very lucky with RØDE and I’ve been able to give away lots of money”

Cobain customised this guitar, adding a Bartolini pickup to the soundhole and is rumoured to be the last guitar he ever played.

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