David Gilmour guitar sells for record $14.55M in auction

An auction held by Christie’s saw the iconic Black Strat, David Gilmour’s treasured guitar used on Pink Floyd albums and as a solo artist, fetch a staggering $14.55 million US, setting a new record for the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction. Following a heated 20-minute bidding war, an anonymous buyer clinched the purchase, surpassing the previous record set in 2020 when Kurt Cobain’s Martin guitar from MTV Unplugged sold for $6.01 million US.

Originally acquired by Gilmour in 1970 as a replacement after Pink Floyd’s equipment was stolen during a U.S. tour, the Black Strat became his primary instrument, featuring prominently across a wide array of music unless a unique sound was required. Gilmour described the guitar as his “main asset” when interviewed by BBC Radio broadcaster Matt Everitt in 2018. The guitar underwent various modifications and refinements over the years, showcasing its resilience and adaptability.

After being displayed at the Hard Rock Café, the Black Strat made a celebrated return to the limelight during Pink Floyd’s Live 8 performance in London’s Hyde Park in 2005. Gilmour reflected on the guitar’s significance, mentioning that it was his experimental canvas for countless musical innovations and creations throughout the years. The decision to sell the Black Strat arose in 2019 when Gilmour put it up for auction to raise funds for charity, ultimately selling it to Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, for $3.975 million.

Thursday’s auction featured an array of notable guitars and instruments from Irsay’s collection, including the Black Strat, which was heralded as one of the standout items. The evening’s proceedings were part of a series of auctions showcasing Irsay’s diverse collection of music and pop culture memorabilia, earning accolades as one of the world’s premier guitar collections.

In addition to the Black Strat’s record-setting sale, the auction saw four other guitars enter the top 10 list of most expensive guitars sold at auction. The custom guitar played by Jerry Garcia in his final performance with the Grateful Dead fetched $11.56 million, while one of Kurt Cobain’s guitars used on Nirvana albums and in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video sold for $6.9 million. Two Eric Clapton guitars, including a Cream-era Gibson SG dubbed “the Fool” and the Martin acoustic from MTV Unplugged, added to the list of top-selling guitars.

The auction culminated with the sale of all 44 lots offered, totaling over $84 million, including the auction house commission. The success of the auction underscored the enduring appeal and value of iconic guitars and music memorabilia, with collectors and enthusiasts alike willing to pay top dollar for a piece of music history.