Ever wonders how much the most expensive guitar in the world sold for? Us too, so we put together a list of the top 5 most expensive guitars ever purchased. It’s no secret that the world’s obsession with rock ‘n’ roll and the guitar has been on showcase at auction houses for decades. As it turns out, some of rock’s most famous guitar players have contributed to creating the most expensive guitars in history. While most of the guitars on this list are worn beyond belief, it’s who wore them out that make them so special.
5. Eric Clapton’s 1964 Gibson ESO335 TDC
With a price tag of $847,500, this guitar is the most expensive Gibson to ever sell at auction. ‘Guitar God’, Eric Clapton, used this instrument while on tour in 1964 and retired it shortly afterward.
4. Eric Clapton’s Hybrid Fender Stratocaster – ‘Blackie’
Another famous guitar from Eric Clapton, ‘Blackie’ is the name he gave his Fender Stratocaster Hybrid. The guitar is a mesh of three different guitars that were assembled to suit Clapton’s specific needs. As one of the most famous guitars in history, ‘Blackie’ sold at auction for $959,500 to Guitar Center.
3. Bob Marley’s Washburn 22 Series Hawk
As one of only 7 guitars that Bob Marley was known to use in his career, this Washburn 22 Series Hawk was given to one of Marley’s guitar technicians as a gift. It is now a national asset the country of Jamaica worth $1.2 million.
2. Jimmy Hendrix’s 1968 Fender Stratocaster
This ax was played by Hendrix at Woodstock in 1969. Known for it’s reverse headstock and now owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, this piece of rock history has an estimated price tag of $2 million.
1. Reach Out to Asia Fender Stratocaster
This signed Fender Stratocaster was sold at auction to benefit the Reach Out to Asia charity. While it was never played in concert, this guitar was signed by almost every famous, living musician that you could think of, like Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and many more. The Reach Out to Asia Strat raised a whopping $2.8 million.
While the price tags on these guitars are astronomic, it’s a good reminder that if you practice your scales everyday you can become as famous as a Clapton or Hendrix and be able to make a nice living selling your guitars at auction.
Ok, ok… maybe we are getting ahead of our selves but, seriously, go practice!
Keep Rockin’!
