Rock ‘n’ roll history isn’t just written in songs; it’s etched into the very instruments that created those iconic sounds. And when those instruments, guitars wielded by legends, go up for auction, the prices they fetch can be truly staggering. Over the past few decades, the market for these pieces of musical history has exploded, with guitars selling for sums that were once unimaginable.
It all started when Eric Clapton’s “Blackie” Stratocaster set a new benchmark, selling for just under a million dollars. Since then, a growing number of legendary guitarists have decided to auction off their prized instruments, leading to a dramatic escalation in prices and establishing a hierarchy of the most expensive guitars ever sold.
The recent Mark Knopfler auction at Christie’s in 2024 perfectly illustrates this trend. Almost every guitar exceeded its estimated value, including the 1983 Gibson Les Paul Standard used to create Dire Straits’ classics like Money For Nothing and Brothers In Arms. While it fetched an impressive $753,231 (£592,200), far surpassing its $19,000 estimate, it wasn’t enough to crack our top 15 list. In fact, even a 1999 Burst Les Paul from Knopfler’s collection sold for more on the same day, reaching $880,186.
The rapid inflation in the market is further highlighted by the fact that “Blackie” itself, once the gold standard for expensive guitars, has now fallen out of the top 15. The blockbuster sale of John Lennon’s Framus Hootenanny in June 2024 pushed it off the list, demonstrating just how much the value of rock star guitars has skyrocketed recently.
Another guitar that has been displaced from the top ranks is Bob Dylan’s ‘Newport Folk Festival’ Stratocaster. This instrument, pivotal in the infamous moment when Dylan “went electric” at the 1965 festival, sold for $965,000 in 2013. It now resides in the Jim Irsay Collection, a touring museum of pop culture memorabilia.
David Gilmour’s Martin D-35, famous for its appearance on Wish You Were Here, is another million-dollar guitar that no longer makes the top 15. Even Rory Gallagher’s iconic 1962 Stratocaster, briefly on the list, was surpassed within months in January 2025.
Of course, private sales remain shrouded in mystery, and figures are often based on rumour. Whispers suggest Kirk Hammett’s acquisition of “Greeny,” Peter Green and Gary Moore’s legendary 1959 Les Paul, cost him $2 million. Similarly, the late Paul Allen’s purported $1.3 million purchase of Jimi Hendrix’s Woodstock Strat in 1993 remain unconfirmed.
Our focus, however, is on verifiable data – the confirmed auction prices. The following 15 guitars represent the pinnacle of collectible instruments, the most expensive guitars ever to go under the hammer.
Editor’s note: All figures are in US Dollars and reflect the exchange rate at the time of auction, without inflation adjustments.
15. Jeff Beck’s ‘Anoushka’ Fender Stratocaster – $1,254,045
Jeff Beck's 'Anoushka' Fender Stratocaster at auction
Photo by Kevin Nixon/Classic Rock Magazine/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Barely edging out Duane Allman’s 1957 Les Paul for a spot in the Top 15, Jeff Beck’s ‘Anoushka’ is notable for being a relatively modern instrument on this list dominated by vintage guitars. Interestingly, it was sold in the same 2005 auction as another Beck guitar that features higher up in our ranking.
‘Anoushka’ earned its place in guitar history as a custom-built instrument by Fender Custom Shop legend JW Black in 1993 for Beck. It became a stage mainstay for the guitar virtuoso for decades. Adding to its unique appeal, the auction lot included an extra Custom Shop body and maple neck, which Beck used to interchange, altering the guitar’s configuration to suit his musical whim.
14. George Harrison’s Futurama – $1,270,000
The most expensive Beatles electric guitar ever sold at auction is perhaps surprisingly humble in origin, yet immensely significant historically. On November 20th, 1959, a young George Harrison purchased this Futurama for a mere £59. This guitar was instrumental during The Beatles’ crucial early years, playing a key role in their Cavern Club performances in Liverpool and their formative Hamburg period.
This unassuming Futurama witnessed the genesis of the most influential band in history. By 1962, Harrison transitioned to his famous Gretsch Duo-Jet, but the Futurama’s place in pop music lore was already cemented. Later given away as a competition prize by Beat magazine, it was initially estimated to fetch around $800,000 at auction in November 2024. However, it exceeded expectations, becoming the first Beatles electric guitar to surpass the million-dollar mark.
13. Eric Clapton’s ‘Fool’ 1964 Gibson SG – $1,270,000
Eric Clapton’s Fool guitar at auction preview
Eric Clapton’s Fool guitar at the media preview for Julien’s “Played, worn, torn rock ‘n’ roll iconic guitars and memorabilia” in 2023. Image: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
Perhaps Eric Clapton’s most visually striking guitar, “The Fool,” holds the distinction of being the most expensive SG ever sold at auction when it went under the hammer in 2023. Synonymous with Clapton’s Cream era, this 1964 Gibson SG is an enduring symbol of psychedelic rock. Its name derives from the Dutch art collective, The Fool, who adorned it with its distinctive, vibrant paint job. This guitar is the source of Clapton’s iconic “Woman tone,” heard on Cream classics such as Sunshine of Your Love, White Room, and I Feel Free. It was acquired by a familiar name in high-end guitar collecting: Jim Irsay.
12. Elvis Presley’s ‘Sun Sessions’ 1942 Martin D-18 – $1,300,000
Elvis Presley's Martin D-18 guitar
Image: Gotta Have Rock and Roll
Elvis Presley, “The King,” played numerous guitars throughout his legendary career, but none are perhaps as historically significant as the 1942 Martin D-18 he used between 1954 and 1956 at Sun Studios in Memphis. This acoustic guitar is responsible for the birth of rock and roll, being used on recordings of That’s All Right (Mama), Blue Moon of Kentucky, and Good Rockin’ Tonight. Interestingly, this piece of music history sold for less than its pre-auction estimate, which was as high as $3 million. It ultimately fetched $1.3 million.
11. Jeff Beck’s 1954 ‘Oxblood’ Les Paul – $1,329,335
The most expensive Les Paul on our list belongs to one of the most revered and innovative guitarists of all time, Jeff Beck. He acquired his ‘Oxblood’ 1954 Les Paul in late 1972 while touring with Beck, Bogert and Appice. This Les Paul became a constant companion for Beck in the years that followed.
The Oxblood Les Paul is the instrument behind Beck’s powerful rendition of Superstition and was his guitar of choice when he performed with David Bowie and The Spiders From Mars. Crucially, it was his primary guitar when he recorded his seminal album Blow by Blow, featuring the timeless instrumental ballad ‘Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers.
10. Kurt Cobain’s ‘Sky Stang 1’ 1993 Fender Mustang – $1,587,500
Kurt Cobain’s Fender Mustang 'Sky Stang 1' on display
Kurt Cobain’s custom-built left-handed Fender Mustang on display at Hard Rock Cafe in New York City in 2019. Image: Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images
While not Kurt Cobain’s most iconic guitar in terms of overall recognition, this custom-ordered Mustang, known as “Sky Stang 1,” served as his main instrument during Nirvana’s final In Utero tour. It was also played at Nirvana’s last ever show on March 1, 1994, in Munich. Fender Japan luthier Scott Zimmerman built this guitar for Cobain in 1993, as the US Custom Shop didn’t produce left-handed necks at the time. In late 2023, it was sold to Japanese businessman Mitsuru Sato.
9. David Gilmour’s 1954 Fender Stratocaster – $1,815,000
David Gilmour’s second most famous Stratocaster is also one of the most debated. For years, its serial number, #0001, led to the widespread belief that it was the very first Stratocaster ever made. However, research revealed that #0100 was actually the first off the production line, but this guitar remains one of the earliest pre-production Stratocaster prototypes. Adding to its legendary status, this guitar laid down the rhythm tracks for Pink Floyd’s anthemic Another Brick In The Wall Pt 2.
8. Jerry Garcia’s Wolf Guitar – $1,900,000
Another unique creation for the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia by luthier Doug Irwin, the “Wolf” guitar is arguably even more visually striking than its sibling, “Tiger.” Its body is constructed from incredibly strong purpleheart wood, with bookmatched maple on the top and back. The Wolf features an innovative pickup mounting plate system, which allowed Garcia to easily switch between its original SSS (single-single-single) pickup configuration and the HHS (humbucker-humbucker-single) setup it currently sports. The Wolf was auctioned in 2017, with the proceeds donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
7. John Lennon’s 1962 Gibson J-160E – $2,410,000
John Lennon tuning his Gibson J-160E guitar
John Lennon tuning his Gibson J-160E during the filming of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. Image: Max Scheler – K & K/Redferns via Getty Image
With its electric guitar-style volume and tone controls and the visible pole pieces of a P-90 pickup protruding through the top, the Gibson J-160E wasn’t Gibson’s most refined design aesthetically. However, it was the perfect instrument for burgeoning songwriters in the early 1960s seeking amplified acoustic sound, including a couple of young musicians named John Lennon and George Harrison. This particular J-160E can be heard on The Beatles’ early hit Love Me Do and remained a favored acoustic guitar for Lennon throughout his career.
6. ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster – $2,700,000
Reach Out To Asia Fender Stratocaster signed by multiple artists
Reach Out To Asia Stratocaster. Image: Fender Wiki
A unique entry on this list, the ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Stratocaster isn’t tied to a single iconic artist. Instead, it’s a standard Mexican-made white Fender Stratocaster distinguished by the signatures of an astonishing roster of rock legends. The guitar bears the autographs of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Mark Knopfler, Ray Davies, Liam Gallagher, Ronnie Wood, Tony Iommi, Angus and Malcolm Young, Paul McCartney, Sting, Ritchie Blackmore, Def Leppard, and organizer Bryan Adams. Auctioned to benefit victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, it served its noble purpose exceptionally well.
5. John Lennon’s Framus Hootenanny 12-string – $2,857,000
John Lennon with his Framus Hootenanny 12-string guitar
Credit: Julien’s Auctions
Famously used on The Beatles’ hit song Help! and the album of the same name, this Framus Hootenanny 12-string acoustic guitar was believed lost for decades. It resurfaced when the new owners of a house in the British countryside discovered it while clearing out their attic. Originally given to Scottish guitarist Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon, it later passed to one of his road managers, remaining out of public view for over 50 years. This guitar, visible in The Beatles’ Help! movie during the You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away performance, was also used by Lennon to record It’s Only Love, I’ve Just Seen a Face, and Girl, and by George Harrison for the rhythm track of Norwegian Wood. Prior to its auction in May 2024, there was speculation it could become the Most Expensive Guitar Ever Sold. Ultimately, it became the most expensive Beatles instrument ever auctioned, surpassing Lennon’s J-160E.
4. Eddie Van Halen’s Hot For Teacher Kramer – $3,932,000
Eddie Van Halen's Kramer guitar from Hot For Teacher video
Credit: Sotheby’s
Eddie Van Halen’s innovative guitar designs are nearly as iconic as the guitarist himself. With most of EVH’s signature gear remaining within his family, authentic Eddie Van Halen guitars rarely appear on the open market. This scarcity fueled intense interest in this Kramer guitar, famously used by Eddie in the Hot For Teacher music video, driving its auction price to extraordinary heights.
3. David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster – $3,975,000
David Gilmour's Black Stratocaster guitar
Image: Eleanor Jane
David Gilmour’s Black Stratocaster is his most iconic guitar and one that has undergone numerous modifications over the years. Originally a Sunburst finish 1968 model purchased from Manny’s Music in New York, it was already refinished in black when Gilmour acquired it in 1970. It initially had a maple neck with a large late-60s headstock, but throughout the 1970s, Gilmour frequently alternated between two 1950s necks, one rosewood and one maple. The modifications didn’t stop there; pickups, tuners, pots, tremolo system, and scratchplate have all been replaced over time. It’s estimated that only the body, selector switch, and possibly the bridge plate are original. Despite these changes, the Black Strat remains Gilmour’s signature instrument, the sound behind Pink Floyd classics like Money and Comfortably Numb. It is now part of the Jim Irsay Collection.
2. Kurt Cobain’s Smells Like Teen Spirit Fender Mustang – $4,550,000
Kurt Cobain's Fender Mustang from Smells Like Teen Spirit video
The Fender Mustang used by Kurt Cobain in the ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ music video on display at Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly Circus, 2022. Image: Rob Pinney/Getty Images
What’s the price of a moment that reshaped music history? Approximately four and a half million dollars, as evidenced by the sale of Kurt Cobain’s Fender Mustang used in the Smells Like Teen Spirit music video. This video, with over 1.5 billion YouTube views and countless MTV plays, arguably changed the musical landscape of the 1990s and beyond. In it, Cobain plays a left-handed Lake Placid Blue Mustang with a competition stripe, a guitar that became instantly iconic. Ironically, the Mustang wasn’t one of Cobain’s personal favorites and was rarely used live outside of the music video. However, its appearance in the Teen Spirit video cemented its place in rock history. In 2022, it joined the Jim Irsay collection.
Kurt Cobain performing with his Martin D-18E acoustic guitar
Kurt Cobain performing with his Martin D-18E during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged. Image: Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images
1. Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E – $6,010,000
If any Kurt Cobain guitar moment surpasses the Smells Like Teen Spirit video in iconic status, it’s Nirvana’s unforgettable MTV Unplugged performance. Kurt Cobain purchased this 1959 Martin D-18E in 1992 from Voltage Guitars in Los Angeles. Unusually for Martin guitars, it came from the factory fitted with DeArmond pickups. However, Cobain wasn’t satisfied with their sound and had it modified with a Bartolini 3AV soundhole pickup. The guitar was initially passed on to Cobain’s daughter, Frances Bean, and later became part of her divorce settlement with ex-husband Isaiah Silva. In 2020, Peter Freedman, founder of RØDE Microphones, acquired this piece of music history for a record-breaking sum, making it the most expensive guitar ever sold and setting a new high mark in the collectible guitar market that remains unchallenged.
This article was originally published on 1 February 2024 and updated on 2 June 2024.
