10 Most Expensive Guitars of Music Stars in 2024: From Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix

In the world of music, guitars remain to be among the most popular instruments of choice for both musicians and collectors. It is not surprising for many music enthusiasts, especially those who have deep appreciation for music, as well as very deep pockets, to scour the earth for guitars that were once the possession of music superstars.

A lot of music lovers with substantial financial resources are more than willing to part with their money just to appropriate a piece of music greatness into their collection. Not all people understand such display of extravagance. But for someone who understand music, history, and greatness, having a piece of music history in your possession is truly special, regardless of how much money you have to shell out to get it. Here are the 10 guitars of music icons that fared big in auctions.

#10 1949 Fender Broadcaster Prototype: $375,000

Clarence Leonidas “Leo” Fender may not be the music icon many people would imagine an icon to be, but those who know their music and guitars realize how Fender revolutionized the music industry – he helped to develop the modern electric guitar. Needless to say, Fender’s 1949 Broadcaster Prototype is considered a jewel among guitar collectors. The father of the widely popular Fender Telecaster, the prototype was sold for $375,000.

#9 Eric Clapton’s Gold Leaf Stratocaster: $455,550

In 1996, Eric Clapton wanted to order a special guitar to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Fender. His specific instruction was a guitar worth displaying in a museum. In response, Fender Company customized a Fender guitar plated in 23 carat gold. The guitar was soon put up for sale and bagged over $455,000.

#8 George Harrison & J. Lennon’s Gibson SG: $570,000

Between 1966 and 1969, George Harrison and John Lennon shared a 1964 Gibson SG guitar. Harrison was seen using the guitar for recording sessions and tours for the album Revolver. Lennon was spotted using the exact same guitar when he recorded songs for the album White. When the guitar was placed for sale, bidding was tough until the amount reached $570,000.

#7 Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Fender Stratocaster: $623,500

This particular Fender Stratocaster was very special for blues artist Stevie Ray Vaughan. He received it from his wife Lenny for his 26th birthday and named the guitar after her. One of the most revered musical instruments on the planet, “Lenny” was Vaughan’s guitar of choice as he used it throughout his career and never parted with it until his death in 1990.

#6 Eric Clapton’s 1939 CF Martin & Co: $791,500

Another acoustic guitar from Eric Clapton’s vast collection, this guitar was put up for sale in an auction to raise funds for the Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, a non-profit organization advocated by the master guitarist. The guitar managed to nab over $791,000 at the auction block.

#5 Eric Clapton’s 1964 Gibson ES0335 TDC: $847,500

This particular guitar was widely used by Clapton in his tours and recording sessions in 1964. However, he rarely played his 1964 Gibson ES0335 TDC during the succeeding years. Nevertheless, the guitar was among the highest selling items during an auction, where it was sold for $847,000.

#4 Eric Clapton’s Stratocaster “Blackie”: $959,500

When Clapton switched from Gibson to Stratocaster, he purchased six individual vintage Stratocasters and presented three of them as gifts to three fellow music icons – George Harrison, Pete Townshend and Steve Winwood. He took apart the remaining three vintage Strats and built a hybrid guitar made of components from each. He dubbed the hybrid guitar “Blackie”. Considering he bought all six Stratocasters for $100 each, the $959,500 his Blackie guitar made at an auction was not bad at all.

#3 Bob Marley’s Washburn 22 series Hawk: $2m

Bob Marley only had seven guitars in his possession when he was still alive and making reggae music. When Marley died, the Jamaican government declared most of Marley’s belongings as national assets, including his Washburn 22 Series Hawk guitar. Considering the intensity of Marley’s star power and the fact that he did not have many guitars in his collection, the $2 million price tag is a reasonable figure for a national icon.

#2 Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Stratocaster: $2 million

Jimi Hendrix was a demigod with a guitar. However, while his guitar playing skills have achieved immortality, he did not. His 1968 Stratocaster was among the items considered a gem in the music world. Played by Hendrix at the 1969 Woodstock, the guitar would soon find its way to the vault of Paul Allen of Microsoft. Allen reportedly cashed out $2 million just to get his hands on this baby.

#1 Reach Out to Asia Fender Stratocaster: $2.7 million

In 2005, the Qatari government bought a guitar and had all the music legends place their signature on it, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend, Mark Knopfler, Ray Davis, Liam Gallagher, Ronnie Wood, Tony Iommi, Angus and Malcolm Young, Paul McCartney, Sting, Ritchie Blackmore, Def Leppard and Bryan Adams. Once their autographs were collected, the guitar was placed at the auction block and was sold for $2.7 million. The proceeds went to Reach Out For Asia, a rehabilitation program designed to help the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

What factors contribute to a guitar’s value?

The value of a guitar is influenced by several key factors that can make it a prized possession for collectors and musicians alike. Here are the main elements determining a guitar’s worth:

• Brand and Model: Renowned brands like Fender, Gibson, and Martin are often more valuable due to their reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Specific models associated with famous musicians or historical significance, such as Eric Clapton’s “Blackie” or Jimi Hendrix’s Stratocaster, can command even higher prices.
• Rarity: Limited edition models, discontinued guitars, or unique custom pieces tend to be more valuable. A guitar’s scarcity can create demand among collectors, driving up its market price.
• Condition: The overall condition of the guitar significantly impacts its value. Instruments that are well-maintained, free of major scratches or repairs, and have their original parts intact are generally worth more than those showing wear or having been modified.
• Provenance: A guitar with a documented history or celebrity ownership can increase its desirability and value. Items previously owned by famous musicians often carry a premium due to their connection to notable performances or cultural moments.
• Age: Vintage guitars, particularly those made before the 1970s, can be highly sought after. The age can contribute to the instrument’s character and tonal qualities, making older models particularly appealing to collectors and musicians.

Key Insights

• Historical Significance: These guitars are not just musical instruments but pieces of music history, once owned and played by iconic musicians.
• High Value: The value of these guitars in auctions is significantly high, reflecting both their rarity and the legacy of the musicians who owned them.
• Notable Owners: Many of the guitars belonged to legendary musicians like Eric Clapton, George Harrison, John Lennon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Marley, and Jimi Hendrix.
• Charity Auctions: Some guitars were sold at auctions to raise funds for charitable causes, adding an altruistic element to their sale.
• Customization and Rarity: Some guitars, like Clapton’s Gold Leaf Stratocaster, were customized for specific purposes, making them unique and highly sought after.

FAQ

1. Why are guitars owned by famous musicians so valuable at auctions? Guitars owned by famous musicians are valuable due to their historical significance, rarity, and the personal connection to iconic figures in music history. Collectors and enthusiasts are willing to pay high prices to own a piece of music legacy.
2. Which guitar fetched the highest price at auction? The “Reach Out to Asia” Fender Stratocaster fetched the highest price at auction, selling for $2.7 million. This guitar was signed by numerous music legends and auctioned to raise funds for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
3. What makes Eric Clapton’s guitars particularly valuable? Eric Clapton’s guitars are particularly valuable due to his legendary status in the music world, the significance of the guitars in his career, and their use in iconic recordings and performances. Additionally, some of his guitars were sold to support charitable causes, adding to their value.
4. How does the customization of a guitar affect its auction value? Customization can significantly increase a guitar’s auction value by making it unique and tailored to the preferences of the musician. For example, Eric Clapton’s Gold Leaf Stratocaster, which was specially customized with 23-carat gold plating, fetched a high price due to its distinctive features and historical context.
5. What role do charity auctions play in the sale of famous guitars? Charity auctions play a significant role in the sale of famous guitars by combining the appeal of owning a piece of music history with the altruistic motivation of supporting a good cause. This often drives higher bids and adds a philanthropic dimension to the purchase.

By James Anthony

A senior FinancesOnline writer on SaaS and B2B topics, James Anthony passion is keeping abreast of the industry’s cutting-edge practices (other than writing personal blog posts on why Firefly needs to be renewed). He has written extensively on these two subjects, being a firm believer in SaaS to PaaS migration and how this inevitable transition would impact economies of scale. With reviews and analyses spanning a breadth of topics from software to learning models, James is one of FinancesOnline’s most creative resources on and off the office.