discover the four most expensive guitars in history

In 2020, Kurt Cobain’s Martin sold for $6 million. It is the first of a top 4 featuring guitars played in particular by David Gilmour and Eddie Van Halen.

The star of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, sells Wednesday 31 January at Christie’s, London, 120 guitars and amps. The most coveted instrument is a Gibson THE Paul Standard of 1959. The guitar is estimated between 300 000 and 500 000 books sterling (between 380 000 and 635 000 dollars). Will she join those gmissed by Kurt Cobain, David Gilmour and Eddie Van Halen, which are today the most expensive in the history of auctions ? Detailed review of these four mythical guitars.

1 A Martin by Kurt Cobain, $6 million

The record for the most expensive guitar has been held since June 2020 by Martin D-18E used by Kurt Cobain during the recording of Nirvana’s famous “Unplugged” concert, in New York on the 18th november 1993. Its price : 6 million dollars, under the hammer of Julien’s.

The semi-acoustic guitar, which dates from 1959, met the rules of the American channel’s show “Unplugged”. MTV, which wanted guest artists to use only acoustic or semi-acoustic instruments.

2A Kurt Cobain Fender, 4.7 millions of dollars

The second guitar on the list also belonged to the Nirvana star. This is the Fender Mustang used in the music video Smells Like Teen Spirit in 1991. It was acquired in May 2022, still at Julien’s, for 4.7 million dollars by Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts American football franchise and great guitar collector.

According to the billionaire, the Cobain family donated part of the proceeds from the sale to “Kicking The Stigma”, an initiative by Jim Irsay which raises awareness of mental illness. A donation which echoes the suicide of Kurt Cobain, depressed and addicted to heroin, on April 5, 1994.

3 David Gilmour’s “Black Strat”, $4 million

Sold in June 2019 for 3,975 million dollars, the Fender Stratocaster by David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), called the “Black Strat”, held the record for the most expensive guitar at the time. Billionaire Jim Irsay was already the lucky buyer.

The guitar was sold during a sale organized by Christie’s, which raised 21.5 million dollars for the benefit of the environmental NGO ClientEarth. On the same day, two Other David Gilmour guitars have exceeded one million.

4A Kramer by Eddie Van Halen, $3.9 million

Auctioned for 3,932 million dollars in April 2023, the Kramer used by Eddie Van Halen, founder of the group of the same name, in the music video for “Hot for Teacher” (1984) narrowly missed the podium. According to the Sotheby’s auction house, which organized the sale, luthier Paul Unkert equipped the guitar with important innovations adapted to the evolution of Eddie Van’s technique. Halen.