The guitar is a popular and interesting instrument that is possible to buy relatively cheaply for most people. However, some exclusive guitars are at the top tier of pricing. Different factors influence the price of a guitar. These may include the quality of the workmanship, the materials the guitar is made of and most importantly– the history of the guitar. Taking into account these factors, here is list of the ten most expensive guitars in the world, their sale prices and special features.
1) The Reach Out to Asia Stratocaster
When the 2005 Tsunami hit Aasia, the chartiy ‘Reach Out to Asia’ was launched. In a bid to raise money, a large number of stars in the music industry signed an elctric guitar. These included Paul McCartney, Def Leppard, Liam Gallagher, Mark Knopfler, Mick Jagger, Sting, Bryan Adams, Malcolm Young, Ritchie Blackmore, Ray Davis, Ronnie Wood, Jeff Beck, Tony Lommi, Ray Davis, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Angus and Malcolm Young, Pete Townsend, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour and Ronnie Wood. This sold for $2.7 million.
2) The 1968 Strat Owned by Jimi Hendrix
Many people consider Jimi Hendrix to be the best guitar player of all time. Paul Allen of Microsoft bought the Strat he played during the Woodstock Festival, 1969, for $2 million. Jimi Hendrix died of drug abuse in 1970. Anybody who is a guitar player and a fan of this artist and his music would think this is money worth spending.
3)Washburn, Bob Marley
Although Bob Marley is best-known for popularizing reggae he also played ska. He was part of the band ‘Bob Marley and the Wailers’ and he promoted the Rastafari movement. He gave his Washburn custom-made guitar to Gary Carlsen, a technician. It is thought to be worth $1.2 million.This guitar is considered a national asset by the Jamaican government. Anybody interested in this style of music should be desperate to snap up this rather expensive and luxurious musical instrument.
4) Eric Clapton’s Blacki Sratocaster
This guitar is unique as it was built from three separate parts of vintage guitars owned by Eric Clapton. Using these part he customized his own guitar and used it between 1970 and 1985. This guitar appeared on the cover of his album ‘Slowhand’ in 1977. it featured in his song, ‘Wonderful Tonight’ and is worth $959. 000.
5) 1964 Gibson ES335, Eric Clapton – S847,500
While he was playing with the likes of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Blind Faith and The Yardbirds, Although it was valued at $80,000, it sold for $847,500.
6) 1939 CF Martin, Eric Clapton – $791,500
The career of Eric Clapton was revived following the death of his son when he released ‘Tears in Heaen’. Using this guitar, he performed in MTV Unplugged. Although the estimated value of the guitar was around $80,000 at the time, it later sold for almost ten times this figure.
7) Stevie Ray Vaughan- Fender Strat
Stevie Ray Vaughan, a blues artist, died in 1980 in a helicopter accident. The guitar was a gift from his wife in1980 and he named the instrument after her. It was auctioned of in 2004 for $623,500. the guitar was made in around 1965 and it was later sold by Stevie Ray Vaughn’ brother, Jimmie Vaughan.
8) The 1964 Gibson SG
This guitar was owned and played by George Harrison and John Lennon and sold for $570,000. The pair used it for their recording of the album Revolver and in their tour. Lennon also played this guitar when recording the album, White. The fame of anyone who is associated with The Beatles is bound to attract money.
9) The Gold Leaf Stratocaster of Eric Clapton
Another guitar in this list that belonged to Eric Clapton goes to show the respect held in the music industry for this man. Around the time of the 50th anniversary of Fender, Eric Clapton ordered this guitar. Fender designed a custom guitar plated in 23 carat gold because Clapton wanted to own a guitar that would one day be hung in a musem. Eric Clapton is a famous singer, songwriter and guitar player. It sold for $455,550.
10) Leaf Strat, Eric Clapton
Considering that it is a guitar owned by Eric Clapton and the fact that this is gold leaf, it is no wonder that this guitar fetched $455,000, It was built by Mark Kendrick, a master builder for Kendrick’s. Clapton used it in his tours in 1997 and 2001. It was then sold by Christie’s.
