Top 10 Most Expensive Guitars In the World

Guitars is one of the most famous and favorite music instruments in the world. A guitar can be the most expensive guitar because of its complexities or its historical value, but mainly its for the second reason. If you’re a music lover and love guitars, maybe you will think about buying one of the most expensive guitars in the world because of your hobby. So let’s take a look how much for the most expensive guitar in the world.


10. 1949 Fender Broadcaster prototype: $375,000
This guitar was the Leo Fender’s first prototype for the most popular guitar ever made (known as Fender Telecaster then). This particular model become a milestone of the world’s most successful electric guitar company. It was sold to private collector in 1994 for $375,000. The highest price ever paid for a guitar at that time.

1949 Fender Broadcaster prototype

9. Eric Clapton’s Gold Leaf Stratocaster: $455,550
The guitar was ordered by Eric Clapton in 1996. It was around the 50th anniversary of Fender. Clapton wanted something that could hang in Louvre museum. The company answer with a custom fender plated with 23k gold. It’s then become the company’s first signature guitar. It was then sold in Christie’s auction in 1997 for impressive price of $455,000.

Eric Claptons Gold Leaf Stratocaster

8. George and John’s 1964 Gibson SG: $570,000
This guitar was used by the Beatles between 1966 and 1969. George Harrison used it when recording and touring for the album “Revolver”. John Lennon used the same guitar during the sessions of “the White” album. It was given to George Peter Ham, from the rock band Badfinger. After his death it was undiscovered until 2002. It was sold to an anonymous bidder at the auction in 2004 for a startling price of $570,000.

George and John's1964 Gibson SG

7. “Lenny” – Stevie Ray Vaughan’s 1965 Fender Composite Stratocaster: $623,500
Stevie Ray Vaughan, great blues guitarist, received the guitar from his wife, Lenny, in 1980 as 26th birthday present. The guitar named after her then. This guitar was the one of his favorite guitar and he used it many times until his death in 1990. The SRV sticker on the body of this guitar is a trademark for most of the guitar of Stevie Ray Vaughan. In 2004 it was sold in auction to benefit of the crossroad centre in Antigua for $623,500.

"Lenny" Stevie Vaughans 1965 Fender Composite Stratocaster

6. Eric Clapton’s C.F. Martin & Co., circa 1939: $791,500
Another guitar of Eric Clapton that “sold” to raise money for the Crossroads Rehabilitation Center. I guess there will be more guitars will be more expensive when they’re sold (owned by Jimmy Page, Van Halen, etc).

Eric Clapton's CF Martin Co circa 1939

5. Eric Clapton’s 1964 Gibson ES0335 TDC: $847,500
This is the guitar that was used particularly by Eric Clapton during 1964, but just rarely used after that. It reached $847,500 when auctioned. It’s the highest price ever paid for a Gibson in auction.

Eric Claptons 1964 Gibson ES0335 TDC

4. Blackie – Stratocaster hybrid: $959,500
Because of the influence of other Guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, in 1970 Eric Clapton switch from Gibson to Stratocaster guitar. Clapton bought six vintage strats from guitar shop in Texas for a hundred dollar each. He gave 3 for George Harrison, Pete Townshend and Steve Winwood. Then he use the remaining three that he named Blackie. Clapton’s blackie was first played in January 1973 and continues to be played until 1985 when he is retired because of neck problems. Blackie sold at auction in 2004 and become one of the most expensive guitar for $959,000.

Blackie Stratocaster hybrid

3. Bob Marley’s Custom made Washburn 22 series Hawk: estimated Price $1.2 to 2 million
This guitar is classified as national asset by the government of Jamaica. This guitar is one of the only seven guitars of the Reggae icon’s life. On November 21st, 1971, after a gig in Vancouver, Marley gave the guitar to a guitar technician Gary Carlsen with the words, “Take it as you will understand later”. Amazingly, Carlsen took this guitar for a gift for a better world. He then founded the Charity “Different Journeys, One Destination”, and offered the guitar as a prize in the lottery.

Bob Marley's Custom made Washburn 22 series Hawk

2. Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Stratocaster: Estimated Price $2 million
This guitar was played by Jimi Hendrix at the woodstock in 1969. From 1970 to 1990 it was in the hand of drummer Mitch Mitchell. It’s emerged again to the surface at the opening of new Fender artist center in 1990. It was then sold at Sotheby’s in the same year for $198,000. After that the rumors said that Paul Allen of Microsoft paid 2 million dollars for this guitar in 1998.

Jimi Hendrix's 1968 Stratocaster

1. Reach out to Asia Fender Stratocaster: $2.7 million
This guitar sold in an auction held in Qatar in 2005 to raise fund for Reach Out to Asia, a Charity formed to help the tsunami victims. It was coordinated by Bryan Adams and was signed by 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 & Malcolm Young, Paul McCartney, Sting, Ritchie Blackmore, Def Leppard and Bryan Adams himself. Initially was taken by Qatari royal family for $1 million and later donated as charity. Then It was sold again to a price of 2.7 million. Totally this guitar has yielded a total of $3.7 million dollars for charity.

Reach out to Asia Fender Stratocaster

Which one of those most expensive guitars in the world will be your choice when you have some money to buy?

By Jefri Afdinilhaq

Courtesy : http://www.most-expensive-guitar.com/