Guitar
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Musical instrument The Beatles
Chronology : 1970 1979
See also : Musical instrument The Beatles
Chronology : 1970 1979
Guitar auction values have skyrocketed due to strong provenance (photos, video use, letters of authenticity), cultural moments (iconic videos, albums, performances), and collector demand (e.g., from figures like the late Jim Irsay). The 2026 Irsay sale alone set dozens of records and totaled over $94 million across lots.
Acoustics (Cobain’s Martin, Clapton’s Unplugged) and heavily documented stage/electrics (Gilmour, Garcia, Van Halen) command the highest premiums. Prices often exceed pre-sale estimates dramatically when bidding wars erupt.
Major houses like Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Julien’s Auctions are the primary sources—new high-profile rock guitars surface periodically from private collections. These instruments represent pivotal moments in rock history.
Acoustics (Cobain’s Martin, Clapton’s Unplugged) and heavily documented stage/electrics (Gilmour, Garcia, Van Halen) command the highest premiums. Prices often exceed pre-sale estimates dramatically when bidding wars erupt.
Major houses like Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Julien’s Auctions are the primary sources—new high-profile rock guitars surface periodically from private collections. These instruments represent pivotal moments in rock history.
Special Report
Harrison's Guitars
George Harrison, often called the "Quiet Beatle," was the lead guitarist whose evolving style—from jangly early rock to psychedelic experimentation and slide mastery—shaped the Beatles' sound across their career. He played a wide variety of guitars, starting with budget models in his teens and progressing to iconic instruments that defined eras of the band's music. His choices emphasized tone, feel, and innovation, influencing countless players.
Here are some of his most famous and significant guitars, focusing on those used during the Beatles years (with key usage, provenance, and cultural impact):
1. 1956/1957 Rosetti 276 (Egmond 105/G) – His First Guitar
Harrison's very first instrument, a cheap beginner acoustic given by his parents (bought second-hand for about $6). Described as "a real cheapo, horrible little guitar," it sparked his interest before he upgraded. A similar early model has surfaced in auctions, fetching high prices due to its historical significance as the starting point for one of rock's greatest guitarists.
2. 1957 Gretsch Duo Jet (Black, Serial 21179)
His "first good guitar," bought second-hand in Liverpool around 1961. This solid-body rockabilly machine powered early Beatles recordings and live shows, including hits like "Please Please Me," "I Saw Her Standing There," and "Twist and Shout." Its punchy tone defined their Hamburg/early Cavern era. Harrison later gave it to Klaus Voormann, reacquired it in the 1980s, and posed with it for his Cloud Nine album cover.
3. 1963 Rickenbacker 360/12 (Fireglo 12-String, Serial CM107)
The guitar that defined the jangly British Invasion sound. Acquired in 1964, it was used prominently on "A Hard Day's Night," "Eight Days a Week," "Ticket to Ride," and the title track of A Hard Day's Night. Its chiming 12-string tone (inspired by Roger McGuinn's later Byrds use) became synonymous with mid-1960s pop-rock innovation.
4. 1964 Gibson SG Standard (Cherry Red, Serial 227666)
A cornerstone of the Beatles' psychedelic shift. Harrison bought this in early 1966 and used it extensively from 1966–1968 (and into 1969), including on Revolver (e.g., "Paperback Writer," "She Said She Said"), promotional films for "Paperback Writer" and "Rain," and tracks like "Hey Bulldog." Its humbucker-equipped, lightweight body delivered a thicker, more aggressive tone than his earlier guitars. It sold for $567,000 at Christie's in 2004 to Jim Irsay and is now part of the Irsay Collection dispersal at Christie's (Lot in the March 2026 "Hall of Fame" auction, estimate $800,000–$1,200,000).
5. 1961 Fender Stratocaster ("Rocky," Sonic Blue, Later Psychedelic-Painted, Serial 83840)
Harrison's favorite and most-used guitar from 1965 onward. Acquired with John Lennon's matching one in 1965, it featured on Rubber Soul (e.g., unison solo on "Nowhere Man"), Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's, the White Album, and beyond. In 1967, he hand-painted it with psychedelic Day-Glo designs (nicknamed "Rocky"), making it visually iconic. Used for slide work later, it's often hailed as one of the most legendary Strats in rock history.
6. 1968 Fender Rosewood Telecaster (Prototype)A custom rosewood-bodied Tele received in 1969. Harrison famously called it "the worst guitar I have ever played" but used it on the Let It Be sessions and rooftop concert ("Get Back"). His father Harold played it during the famous Apple rooftop performance. Despite his quip, its association with the band's final live moment makes it hugely significant.
Other Notable Guitars
Here are some of his most famous and significant guitars, focusing on those used during the Beatles years (with key usage, provenance, and cultural impact):
1. 1956/1957 Rosetti 276 (Egmond 105/G) – His First Guitar
Harrison's very first instrument, a cheap beginner acoustic given by his parents (bought second-hand for about $6). Described as "a real cheapo, horrible little guitar," it sparked his interest before he upgraded. A similar early model has surfaced in auctions, fetching high prices due to its historical significance as the starting point for one of rock's greatest guitarists.
2. 1957 Gretsch Duo Jet (Black, Serial 21179)
His "first good guitar," bought second-hand in Liverpool around 1961. This solid-body rockabilly machine powered early Beatles recordings and live shows, including hits like "Please Please Me," "I Saw Her Standing There," and "Twist and Shout." Its punchy tone defined their Hamburg/early Cavern era. Harrison later gave it to Klaus Voormann, reacquired it in the 1980s, and posed with it for his Cloud Nine album cover.
3. 1963 Rickenbacker 360/12 (Fireglo 12-String, Serial CM107)
The guitar that defined the jangly British Invasion sound. Acquired in 1964, it was used prominently on "A Hard Day's Night," "Eight Days a Week," "Ticket to Ride," and the title track of A Hard Day's Night. Its chiming 12-string tone (inspired by Roger McGuinn's later Byrds use) became synonymous with mid-1960s pop-rock innovation.
4. 1964 Gibson SG Standard (Cherry Red, Serial 227666)
A cornerstone of the Beatles' psychedelic shift. Harrison bought this in early 1966 and used it extensively from 1966–1968 (and into 1969), including on Revolver (e.g., "Paperback Writer," "She Said She Said"), promotional films for "Paperback Writer" and "Rain," and tracks like "Hey Bulldog." Its humbucker-equipped, lightweight body delivered a thicker, more aggressive tone than his earlier guitars. It sold for $567,000 at Christie's in 2004 to Jim Irsay and is now part of the Irsay Collection dispersal at Christie's (Lot in the March 2026 "Hall of Fame" auction, estimate $800,000–$1,200,000).
5. 1961 Fender Stratocaster ("Rocky," Sonic Blue, Later Psychedelic-Painted, Serial 83840)
Harrison's favorite and most-used guitar from 1965 onward. Acquired with John Lennon's matching one in 1965, it featured on Rubber Soul (e.g., unison solo on "Nowhere Man"), Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's, the White Album, and beyond. In 1967, he hand-painted it with psychedelic Day-Glo designs (nicknamed "Rocky"), making it visually iconic. Used for slide work later, it's often hailed as one of the most legendary Strats in rock history.
6. 1968 Fender Rosewood Telecaster (Prototype)A custom rosewood-bodied Tele received in 1969. Harrison famously called it "the worst guitar I have ever played" but used it on the Let It Be sessions and rooftop concert ("Get Back"). His father Harold played it during the famous Apple rooftop performance. Despite his quip, its association with the band's final live moment makes it hugely significant.
Other Notable Guitars
- 1962 Gibson J-160E (Sunburst acoustic-electric): Matching one with Lennon's; used on early albums and acoustics like those on With the Beatles.
- 1963 Gretsch Country Gentleman: Successor to the Duo Jet; seen in mid-1960s photos and used live.
- Maton Mastersound (1963): Used during the Beatles' 1963 UK tour; featured in the Irsay/Christie's 2026 auctions.
- Epiphone Casino (borrowed/used occasionally): Similar to Lennon's, for hollow-body tones.
- Post-Beatles favorites included Zemaitis customs (e.g., "Lucy" Les Paul-style), various slide-equipped Strats, and acoustics like the Gibson J-200 (gifted to Bob Dylan).
LENNON
John Lennon was one of the most influential guitarists in rock history, known for his rhythm work, distinctive chord voicings, and evolving tones that shaped the Beatles' sound from skiffle roots through Beatlemania, psychedelia, and beyond. His guitars often reflected key phases of the band's career, with iconic models like Rickenbackers defining the early jangly sound and hollow-body Epiphones marking the later, rawer era.
Here are some of his most famous and significant guitars, focusing on those played during the Beatles years (and a few notable later ones):
1. 1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri (Black Finish, Serial V81)This is widely regarded as the most iconic Lennon guitar—the "Holy Grail" of Beatles instruments. Lennon bought it in Hamburg in 1960, painted it black, and used it extensively from the early Beatles days through 1964–1965. It powered early hits like "Please Please Me," "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and "All My Loving," and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Its short-scale neck and semi-hollow body contributed to the bright, chiming rhythm tone central to Beatlemania. Lennon later modified it (e.g., Bigsby vibrato added). A 1964 version (jetglo finish) he used later is also legendary.
2. 1962 Gibson J-160E (Sunburst Acoustic-Electric)One of Lennon's primary acoustics, bought in Liverpool (along with George Harrison's matching one). It featured built-in electronics for amplification and was used heavily from 1962–1965 on albums like Please Please Me, With the Beatles, and hits such as "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Lennon composed many early songs on it. A second J-160E was used on tours in 1964–1965. This model sold for a record $2.41 million at Julien's Auctions in 2015, the highest price ever for Beatles memorabilia at the time.
3. 1965 Epiphone Casino (Sunburst, Later Sanded to Natural)Lennon acquired this hollow-body in 1965 (Paul and George had similar ones). It became his main guitar from Revolver (1966) onward, through Sgt. Pepper's, the White Album, and Let It Be. He famously sanded off the finish and removed the pickguard during the White Album sessions (creating the "Revolution" look), yielding a brighter, more aggressive tone heard on tracks like "Revolution," "Paperback Writer," and much of the later catalog. It's often cited as his favorite for its versatility and sustain.
4. 1963/1964 Rickenbacker 325 Variants (Including Jetglo and 12-String Models)Lennon had multiple 325s. A 1964 jetglo model replaced the original for live use, and a custom 12-string 325/12 (made to match) was used on songs like "Ticket to Ride" and parts of A Hard Day's Night. These reinforced the signature Rickenbacker jangle.
5. 1964 Rose-Morris Rickenbacker 1996 ("Beatle Backer")A semi-hollow fireglo model (serial DE519) provided as a replacement in December 1964 after his main 325 was damaged. Lennon used it during the Beatles' Christmas shows (December 1964–January 1965) at Hammersmith Odeon, then gifted it to Ringo Starr. It sold for $910,000 at Julien's in 2015 and is now in the Jim Irsay Collection dispersal at Christie's (Lot in the March 2026 auctions, estimate $800,000–$1,200,000).
6. 1963 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins (Nashville)A cherry red model Lennon owned and played during 1966 sessions for "Paperback Writer" and "Rain." It's part of the Irsay Collection, offered at Christie's in March 2026 (estimate $600,000–$800,000).
Other Notable Guitars
Here are some of his most famous and significant guitars, focusing on those played during the Beatles years (and a few notable later ones):
1. 1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri (Black Finish, Serial V81)This is widely regarded as the most iconic Lennon guitar—the "Holy Grail" of Beatles instruments. Lennon bought it in Hamburg in 1960, painted it black, and used it extensively from the early Beatles days through 1964–1965. It powered early hits like "Please Please Me," "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and "All My Loving," and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Its short-scale neck and semi-hollow body contributed to the bright, chiming rhythm tone central to Beatlemania. Lennon later modified it (e.g., Bigsby vibrato added). A 1964 version (jetglo finish) he used later is also legendary.
2. 1962 Gibson J-160E (Sunburst Acoustic-Electric)One of Lennon's primary acoustics, bought in Liverpool (along with George Harrison's matching one). It featured built-in electronics for amplification and was used heavily from 1962–1965 on albums like Please Please Me, With the Beatles, and hits such as "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Lennon composed many early songs on it. A second J-160E was used on tours in 1964–1965. This model sold for a record $2.41 million at Julien's Auctions in 2015, the highest price ever for Beatles memorabilia at the time.
3. 1965 Epiphone Casino (Sunburst, Later Sanded to Natural)Lennon acquired this hollow-body in 1965 (Paul and George had similar ones). It became his main guitar from Revolver (1966) onward, through Sgt. Pepper's, the White Album, and Let It Be. He famously sanded off the finish and removed the pickguard during the White Album sessions (creating the "Revolution" look), yielding a brighter, more aggressive tone heard on tracks like "Revolution," "Paperback Writer," and much of the later catalog. It's often cited as his favorite for its versatility and sustain.
4. 1963/1964 Rickenbacker 325 Variants (Including Jetglo and 12-String Models)Lennon had multiple 325s. A 1964 jetglo model replaced the original for live use, and a custom 12-string 325/12 (made to match) was used on songs like "Ticket to Ride" and parts of A Hard Day's Night. These reinforced the signature Rickenbacker jangle.
5. 1964 Rose-Morris Rickenbacker 1996 ("Beatle Backer")A semi-hollow fireglo model (serial DE519) provided as a replacement in December 1964 after his main 325 was damaged. Lennon used it during the Beatles' Christmas shows (December 1964–January 1965) at Hammersmith Odeon, then gifted it to Ringo Starr. It sold for $910,000 at Julien's in 2015 and is now in the Jim Irsay Collection dispersal at Christie's (Lot in the March 2026 auctions, estimate $800,000–$1,200,000).
6. 1963 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins (Nashville)A cherry red model Lennon owned and played during 1966 sessions for "Paperback Writer" and "Rain." It's part of the Irsay Collection, offered at Christie's in March 2026 (estimate $600,000–$800,000).
Other Notable Guitars
- Fender Stratocaster (1961 Sonic Blue and others): Used sporadically in the mid-1960s.
- Framus Hootenanny (12-string acoustic): Seen in promotional photos.
- Later/solo era: Fender Telecaster (with Bigsby), Gibson Les Paul Junior (modified), various acoustics like Martin D-28, and a candy apple red Strat in 1980.
(1964)-1965 John Lennon's Framus Acoustic Guitar
2024 SOLD for $ 2.86M by Julien's
- John Lennon (The Beatles) – Framus Hootenanny 12-string (“Help!” guitar)
Acoustic used in the 1965 film Help! and on recordings for Help! and Rubber Soul (e.g., “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”). Lost for ~50 years before rediscovery.
Sold at Julien’s in 2024 for $2.857 million (record for a Beatles guitar at the time).
A German Framus 12 string Hootenanny acoustic guitar acquired by John Lennon in 1964 was played by him in 1965 by in the recording of the Help! album. It is photo-matched to these sessions and also with George Harrison for a further 1965 album, and is seen in the Help! film.
At the end of 1965 John gave the guitar to a member of a British pop duo. The instrument went out of view and passed in the attic of their road manager. After nearly six decades in a dusty oblivion, the sleeping beauty was retrieved in its Australian Maton case paired for John at the shop with the brand new instrument in 1964. The old man said : "Oh ! That's John's".
The Hootenanny had been one of only three non located guitars played by The Beatles. Its authentication was led by Julien's auction house. A reset of the loosened neck, consisting of removing the piece and reassembling it to the body in a suitable angle, was made by a specialized workshop under a non disclosure agreement.
The guitar was sold for $ 2.86M from a lower estimate of $ 600K by Julien's on May 29, 2024, lot 51. The bidding is at $ 1M one week before the sale. The usual price for the model is in the region of $ 3,000. Please watch the video shared by Andy Babiuk, the expert of the Beatles instruments.
The sonic blue Fender Stratocaster used by Lennon on Ticket To Ride and the Gretsch Country Gentleman played by Harrison in the Ed Sullivan show are still missing.
1968 Elvis Presley's Hagstrom
2025 for sale on April 23 by Sotheby's
The guitar currently listed at Sotheby's is a Hagstrom Viking II electric guitar (serial #732240), a Swedish-made semi-hollow body instrument with a flame maple top, distinctive cherry red finish, f-holes, ebony fretboard, gold hardware, dual humbucker pickups, and dedicated volume controls.
Key Features
History and Use by Elvis
Elvis used the guitar in both full band numbers and seated acoustic-style jam sessions. Notable songs include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Trouble,” and “Guitar Man.” He is also pictured holding it on the cover of his pivotal 1969 album From Elvis in Memphis (sometimes referred to simply as Elvis in Memphis).
The guitar was loaned for this one major event and has strong chain-of-custody documentation tied to Al Casey.Significance in Elvis Presley's CareerThe '68 Comeback Special (Singer Presents... Elvis) marked a dramatic turning point. After seven years largely focused on Hollywood films (with limited live performing), Elvis returned to the stage in a raw, energetic concert format that resonated with contemporary rock and popular music trends.
Auction Details (as of the listing)
It represents a unique intersection of music history, television innovation, and Elvis's personal comeback narrative — making it one of the most significant Elvis-related artifacts to come to market in recent years.
Context and Trends
Elvis primarily favored acoustic guitars (Martins and Gibsons) throughout his career, especially dreadnoughts for their projection on stage and in recordings. Electric guitars were less common in his personal collection, making the borrowed Hagstrom Viking II from the '68 Special particularly rare. High-value sales depend heavily on chain-of-custody documentation (letters from family, band members, or Graceland archivists), stage/recording photos, and cultural moments (e.g., Sun Sessions, Comeback Special, Aloha from Hawaii).
Key Features
- Body and Design: Semi-hollow construction with a striking cherry red finish that provided strong visual contrast on the TV set. Dimensions are approximately 41 ¼ x 16 x 2 ¼ inches (guitar) and 43 ¼ x 17 5/8 x 3 ¾ inches (included case).
- Hardware and Electronics: Gold hardware, dual humbuckers, and controls suited for a versatile electric sound.
- Accessories: Comes with a guitar strap styled like the original used in the performance.
- Condition and Provenance: The guitar originated from a small Hollywood music shop opened in 1966 by session guitarist Al Casey (a member of the legendary Wrecking Crew) and his wife. It was loaned to Elvis along with a Benson amplifier. The history is well-documented through accounts from Richard Bennett, Casey's friend and protégé.
History and Use by Elvis
Elvis used the guitar in both full band numbers and seated acoustic-style jam sessions. Notable songs include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Trouble,” and “Guitar Man.” He is also pictured holding it on the cover of his pivotal 1969 album From Elvis in Memphis (sometimes referred to simply as Elvis in Memphis).
The guitar was loaned for this one major event and has strong chain-of-custody documentation tied to Al Casey.Significance in Elvis Presley's CareerThe '68 Comeback Special (Singer Presents... Elvis) marked a dramatic turning point. After seven years largely focused on Hollywood films (with limited live performing), Elvis returned to the stage in a raw, energetic concert format that resonated with contemporary rock and popular music trends.
- The special became the most-watched TV program of its season.
- It revived his recording and performing career, leading to renewed chart success, the iconic 1969 Memphis sessions, and a return to live touring (including his Las Vegas residencies).
- Visually, the image of Elvis in his black leather suit, performing with intensity while holding this cherry red guitar, became one of the most enduring icons of his career and rock history overall.
Auction Details (as of the listing)
- Estimate: $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 USD
- Starting Bid: $900,000 USD (no reserve)
- Auction: Part of Sotheby's inaugural Rock & Pop sale; bidding open through April 23, 2026, lot 8.
- The guitar will be on public exhibition at Sotheby's New York (Breuer Building) from April 13–20, 2026.
It represents a unique intersection of music history, television innovation, and Elvis's personal comeback narrative — making it one of the most significant Elvis-related artifacts to come to market in recent years.
Context and Trends
Elvis primarily favored acoustic guitars (Martins and Gibsons) throughout his career, especially dreadnoughts for their projection on stage and in recordings. Electric guitars were less common in his personal collection, making the borrowed Hagstrom Viking II from the '68 Special particularly rare. High-value sales depend heavily on chain-of-custody documentation (letters from family, band members, or Graceland archivists), stage/recording photos, and cultural moments (e.g., Sun Sessions, Comeback Special, Aloha from Hawaii).
CLAPTON
1
(1964)-1966 'The Fool' Gibson
2026 SOLD for $ 3M by Christie's
Gibson SG "The Fool" (1964, custom-painted)
Clapton acquired in 1965 or 1966 through George Harrison a Gibson SG made in 1964, In 1967 before the debut tour of Cream in the USA, the instrument was custom decorated in psychedelic finish with angels of paradise by a Dutch design collective named The Fool.
That Gibson SG provided in Clapton's terms a "woman tone", "a sweet sound more like the human voice than the guitar". He used it extensively with Cream including in their last three albums and parted from it in 1968 before the group broke up. So the performer and his instrument had much contributed to the 1967 Summer of Love that was the culmination of the psychedelic music.
This guitar survives relatively intact. The tuner, tail, some knobs and a portion of the neck have been replaced. It was sold for $ 1.27M by Julien's on November 16, 2023, lot 26. Please watch the video shared by Julien's. It was sold for $ 3M by Christie's on March 12, 2026, lot 18.
The guitar in question is the iconic 1964 Gibson SG Standard, famously known as "The Fool" (or sometimes "Sunny"), one of the most visually and historically significant electric guitars in rock music. This solid-body guitar features a custom psychedelic hand-painted finish created in early 1967 by the Dutch design collective The Fool (artists Marijke Koger and Simon Posthuma), who were commissioned by Cream's manager Robert Stigwood. The vibrant, oil-based enamel artwork—featuring swirling colors, celestial motifs, a winged figure, and dreamlike scenes—transformed it into the first major "art guitar" in rock, symbolizing the Summer of Love era.
Eric Clapton acquired the cherry-red SG (no serial number, mahogany body/neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard) in March 1967 as a replacement after his Les Pauls were stolen. He used it extensively with Cream during their peak (1967–1968), including on stage during their U.S. tours and in the studio for tracks like "Sunshine of Your Love," "Crossroads," and "Tales of Brave Ulysses." It's closely tied to Clapton's legendary "woman tone"—a thick, singing sustain achieved through his playing style, the SG's humbuckers, and his Marshall amplification setup.
After Clapton, the guitar passed to Jackie Lomax (by May 1969, used on sessions), then sold to Todd Rundgren in 1972 for $500 (who nicknamed it "Sunny" and used/restored it). Rundgren sold it at Sotheby's in 2000 for under $150,000. It later entered the collection of John Craig Oxman before being auctioned by Julien's Auctions in New York on 16 November 2023 as lot 26 ("Eric Clapton | Cream Stage-Played 1964 'Fool' Gibson SG Electric Guitar"), where it sold for $1,280,000 (including premium), setting a record at the time for a Clapton-owned guitar from the Cream era.
It was acquired there by the late Jim Irsay (Indianapolis Colts owner and legendary memorabilia collector). It is now being offered again as part of The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame auction series at Christie's in New York. Specifically, it is lot 18 in the live auction scheduled for 12 March 2026 at 5PM EDT (auction code 24627). The estimate is $800,000 - $1,200,000 USD.
Provenance highlights include direct ties to Clapton/Cream's defining period, subsequent notable owners, the 2023 Julien's sale, and Irsay's stewardship. Christie's positions it as a landmark artifact of 1960s rock, psychedelia, and guitar innovation.
Its image in 1967 on the left beside another psychedelic guitar of Clapton is shared by Wikipedia with attribution Eden, Janine and Jim from New York City, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
- Key features: Psychedelic hand-painted finish by Dutch artists Simon Posthuma and Marijke Koger (The Fool collective), originally a cherry red SG Standard with serial number sanded off. Featured humbuckers and lightweight body for sustain.
- Significance: Icon of the psychedelic era and Clapton's main guitar during Cream's peak (1967–1968). Heard on Disraeli Gears (1967)—including the solo in "Sunshine of Your Love"—and live recordings like Wheels of Fire (notably the Crossroads solo, though sometimes misattributed). It defined his "woman tone" (warm, vocal-like sustain via SG + Marshall stack). After Cream, it passed to George Harrison, then others (Todd Rundgren, etc.), becoming one of rock's most visually recognizable guitars.
Clapton acquired in 1965 or 1966 through George Harrison a Gibson SG made in 1964, In 1967 before the debut tour of Cream in the USA, the instrument was custom decorated in psychedelic finish with angels of paradise by a Dutch design collective named The Fool.
That Gibson SG provided in Clapton's terms a "woman tone", "a sweet sound more like the human voice than the guitar". He used it extensively with Cream including in their last three albums and parted from it in 1968 before the group broke up. So the performer and his instrument had much contributed to the 1967 Summer of Love that was the culmination of the psychedelic music.
This guitar survives relatively intact. The tuner, tail, some knobs and a portion of the neck have been replaced. It was sold for $ 1.27M by Julien's on November 16, 2023, lot 26. Please watch the video shared by Julien's. It was sold for $ 3M by Christie's on March 12, 2026, lot 18.
The guitar in question is the iconic 1964 Gibson SG Standard, famously known as "The Fool" (or sometimes "Sunny"), one of the most visually and historically significant electric guitars in rock music. This solid-body guitar features a custom psychedelic hand-painted finish created in early 1967 by the Dutch design collective The Fool (artists Marijke Koger and Simon Posthuma), who were commissioned by Cream's manager Robert Stigwood. The vibrant, oil-based enamel artwork—featuring swirling colors, celestial motifs, a winged figure, and dreamlike scenes—transformed it into the first major "art guitar" in rock, symbolizing the Summer of Love era.
Eric Clapton acquired the cherry-red SG (no serial number, mahogany body/neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard) in March 1967 as a replacement after his Les Pauls were stolen. He used it extensively with Cream during their peak (1967–1968), including on stage during their U.S. tours and in the studio for tracks like "Sunshine of Your Love," "Crossroads," and "Tales of Brave Ulysses." It's closely tied to Clapton's legendary "woman tone"—a thick, singing sustain achieved through his playing style, the SG's humbuckers, and his Marshall amplification setup.
After Clapton, the guitar passed to Jackie Lomax (by May 1969, used on sessions), then sold to Todd Rundgren in 1972 for $500 (who nicknamed it "Sunny" and used/restored it). Rundgren sold it at Sotheby's in 2000 for under $150,000. It later entered the collection of John Craig Oxman before being auctioned by Julien's Auctions in New York on 16 November 2023 as lot 26 ("Eric Clapton | Cream Stage-Played 1964 'Fool' Gibson SG Electric Guitar"), where it sold for $1,280,000 (including premium), setting a record at the time for a Clapton-owned guitar from the Cream era.
It was acquired there by the late Jim Irsay (Indianapolis Colts owner and legendary memorabilia collector). It is now being offered again as part of The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame auction series at Christie's in New York. Specifically, it is lot 18 in the live auction scheduled for 12 March 2026 at 5PM EDT (auction code 24627). The estimate is $800,000 - $1,200,000 USD.
Provenance highlights include direct ties to Clapton/Cream's defining period, subsequent notable owners, the 2023 Julien's sale, and Irsay's stewardship. Christie's positions it as a landmark artifact of 1960s rock, psychedelia, and guitar innovation.
Its image in 1967 on the left beside another psychedelic guitar of Clapton is shared by Wikipedia with attribution Eden, Janine and Jim from New York City, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
_played_by_Eric_Clapton,_and_The_Fool_Bass_VI_(1962_Fender_Bass_VI)_played_by_Jack_Bruce_-_both_painted_in_1967_by_The_Fool_Collective_-_Play_It_Loud._MET_(2019-05-13_19.29.06_by_Eden,_Janine_and_Jim).jpg)
2
(1939) - 1991 CF Martin
2026 SOLD for 4.1M by Christie's
The C.F. Martin 000-42 acoustic guitar (1939) owned and played by Eric Clapton—most famously during his iconic MTV Unplugged performance in 1992—was sold by Christie's as Lot 32 in The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame live auction (Auction 24627, New York). The auction closed on March 12, 2026, realizing $4,101,000 USD (far exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $800,000–$1,200,000).
Key Features
Significance in Clapton's Career
This 1939 Martin 000-42 was the primary six-string acoustic for Clapton's groundbreaking MTV Unplugged session on January 16, 1992, at Bray Studios, UK—used for eight of the 17 songs, including acoustic reworks of "Layla" (which won Grammy for Best Rock Song), "Before You Accuse Me," "Old Love," an early "My Father’s Eyes," "Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out," "Malted Milk," and "Worried Life Blues." The performance (and resulting album, over 26 million copies sold, six Grammys including Album of the Year) marked a pivotal career revival: it shifted focus from electric blues/rock to acoustic intimacy, paid tribute to influences like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Bo Diddley, and came amid personal tragedy (his son Connor's death). It reintroduced Clapton to millions, boosted acoustic guitar popularity, and spurred his 1994 blues covers album From The Cradle.
Post-Unplugged, Clapton used it extensively live (1993–1998: Royal Albert Hall acoustic sets, From The Cradle Tour 1994–95, Far East Tour 1997, Pilgrim US Tour 1998) and in studios for albums like From The Cradle (1994), Pilgrim (1998), Riding with the King (2000), Reptile (2001), and Me and Mr. Johnson (2004). Its design influenced Martin's 1995 000-42EC signature model (Clapton's first official signature, limited to 461 units, which sold out instantly and launched decades of successful Martin-Clapton partnerships, including the long-running 000-28EC).
Overall, this guitar symbolizes Clapton's acoustic renaissance, his deep blues roots, and a transformative moment that redefined his legacy beyond electric anthems—cementing him as a bridge between rock, blues, and unplugged traditions. Its record-setting sales (2004 and now 2026) reflect its status as one of the most historically significant acoustics in rock music.
Key Features
- Model and specifications: 1939 C.F. Martin & Company 000-42 from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Features a spruce top, two-piece Brazilian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, Brazilian rosewood headstock with abalone inlays, and the classic "C.F. Martin & Co. / EST. 1833" logo. Internally stamped "C.F. Martin & Co. Nazareth, PA." and "000-42/73234". 14-fret neck with shorter-scale body (back length 19 3/8 in. / 49.2 cm; overall length 39 3/4 in. / 101 cm) for easier upper-fret access—ideal for fingerstyle and blues playing.
- Rarity: One of only 113 short-scale 000-42 models produced between 1934 and 1943 during Martin's pre-World War II "golden era," prized for high-end pearl inlays and tonewoods (Brazilian rosewood, now restricted).
- Condition and playability: Described as in playable condition; Clapton called it "the finest Martin he owned" and an "incredible playing instrument."
- Accessories: Includes a leather-covered hardshell case labeled by Clapton's guitar tech Lee Dickson ("Auction/Boo-Hoo/Auction #30/M. 000-42 #73234"), plus a modern free-standing glass display cabinet with bespoke stand.
- Provenance: Acquired by Clapton in late 1991 from Pete Alenov (Pete’s Guitar, St. Paul, Minnesota). Sold by Clapton at his 2004 Crossroads Guitar Auction (Christie's, Lot 19, for $791,500—a then-world record for a Martin/acoustic guitar) to benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. Acquired privately by Jim Irsay in August 2019. Exhibited at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, multiple periods 2004–2015) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York: Early American Guitars 2013–2014; Play It Loud 2019).
- Other notes: No inscriptions/signatures mentioned, but its appearance on the cover of Clapton's Unplugged album (1992) adds iconic visual status.
Significance in Clapton's Career
This 1939 Martin 000-42 was the primary six-string acoustic for Clapton's groundbreaking MTV Unplugged session on January 16, 1992, at Bray Studios, UK—used for eight of the 17 songs, including acoustic reworks of "Layla" (which won Grammy for Best Rock Song), "Before You Accuse Me," "Old Love," an early "My Father’s Eyes," "Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out," "Malted Milk," and "Worried Life Blues." The performance (and resulting album, over 26 million copies sold, six Grammys including Album of the Year) marked a pivotal career revival: it shifted focus from electric blues/rock to acoustic intimacy, paid tribute to influences like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Bo Diddley, and came amid personal tragedy (his son Connor's death). It reintroduced Clapton to millions, boosted acoustic guitar popularity, and spurred his 1994 blues covers album From The Cradle.
Post-Unplugged, Clapton used it extensively live (1993–1998: Royal Albert Hall acoustic sets, From The Cradle Tour 1994–95, Far East Tour 1997, Pilgrim US Tour 1998) and in studios for albums like From The Cradle (1994), Pilgrim (1998), Riding with the King (2000), Reptile (2001), and Me and Mr. Johnson (2004). Its design influenced Martin's 1995 000-42EC signature model (Clapton's first official signature, limited to 461 units, which sold out instantly and launched decades of successful Martin-Clapton partnerships, including the long-running 000-28EC).
Overall, this guitar symbolizes Clapton's acoustic renaissance, his deep blues roots, and a transformative moment that redefined his legacy beyond electric anthems—cementing him as a bridge between rock, blues, and unplugged traditions. Its record-setting sales (2004 and now 2026) reflect its status as one of the most historically significant acoustics in rock music.
GILMOUR
1
(1969)-1970 The Black Strat of David Gilmour
2026 SOLD for $ 14.6M by Christie's
On June 20, 2019 in New York, Christie's sold David Gilmour's collection of more than 120 guitars. Passionate about guitars since his childhood in Cambridge, David dreamed of playing a Fender Stratocaster. He explains today that a Strat enhances the personality of its performer.
At the end of the 1960s, psychedelic music is taking over from classic rock and roll. To reach the fame, bands must now offer to the public sounds that are both dynamic and different. David becomes the guitarist of the Pink Floyd in 1968 to compensate for the incapacity of Syd Barrett victim of mental disorders.
The Black Strat was sold for $ 4M, lot 127. Made in 1969, it was bought new by David in 1970 at Manny's in New York. Until 1983 it is his favorite instrument, constantly modified by him to extract new sensational sounds. This instrument is a basic element of the Pink Floyd sound lab at their best time. It is played by David in 1973 in the album that will remain the biggest hit of the group, The Dark Side of the Moon.
This working guitar that was originally an ordinary Strat has become a cult instrument of rock in its post-Beatles phase. Leased for ten years at the Hard Rock Café in Dallas, it was later restored. Replicas were created by Fender from 2006 in two models, one of which named The Relic copying its state of wear before restoration.
In 2005, when the band's historic members meet in concert in London after a very long break, David Gilmour plays his Black Strat again. Frequently modified for half a century by its prestigious owner, it is offered with a reasonable estimate of $ 100K to 150K. Please read the article by Christie's telling its long story.
On March 12, 2026, it was sold for $ 14.6M by Christie's, lot 24 in the sale of the Irsay collection. A travel guitar case for Pink Floyd was included in the lot. It had been sold for $ 175K, lot 126 in the sale of the Gilmour collection.
The Black Strat is one of the most iconic electric guitars in rock history: a 1969 Fender Stratocaster famously owned and extensively used by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. It became synonymous with his signature soaring, expressive tone on landmark albums and live performances. Heavily modified over decades to suit Gilmour's evolving needs, it played a central role in defining Pink Floyd's sound during their classic era.
Origins and Acquisition (1969–1970)
The guitar was originally manufactured by Fender in Fullerton, California, in 1969 as an alder-body Stratocaster. It came from the factory with a sunburst finish (painted over in black), a maple neck with a large headstock and 21 frets, a white pickguard, and standard early features like a synchronized tremolo bridge and 3-way pickup selector.
David Gilmour purchased it in May 1970 from Manny's Music on West 48th Street in New York City. This was a replacement for a previous black Stratocaster (a gift from his parents for his 21st birthday) that had been stolen along with other Pink Floyd gear during a 1968 U.S. tour. Gilmour debuted it publicly at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music in June 1970.
Early Modifications and Classic Pink Floyd Era (1970–1980s)
The Black Strat quickly became Gilmour's primary recording and performance guitar for over 15 years. It underwent numerous changes to refine his tone:
Return, Later Use, and Signature Models (1997–2019)
In May 1997, Gilmour requested its return from the Hard Rock Cafe. Restorations included refitting the original bridge, patching Kahler modifications, and installing a '57 reissue-style neck in some configurations.
It was reclaimed for Pink Floyd's historic Live 8 reunion performance in London's Hyde Park on July 2, 2005 ("Comfortably Numb" solo). Gilmour then used it as his main guitar again for the next decade, including his solo albums On an Island (2006) and Rattle That Lock (2015), plus tours and Pink Floyd's The Endless River (2015).
Fender collaborated with Gilmour and his technician Phil Taylor to release the David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster in 2008 (Relic and NOS versions in black over sunburst), replicating its look, feel, and tone.
Phil Taylor documented its full evolution in his book Pink Floyd: The Black Strat – A History of David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster.2019 Auction at Christie'sAs part of "The David Gilmour Guitar Collection" (over 120 instruments auctioned for charity, benefiting ClientEarth for climate initiatives), the Black Strat went under the hammer at Christie's in New York on June 20, 2019. Estimated at $100,000–$150,000, it sold for $3,975,000 (including buyer's premium), setting a new world record for any guitar sold at auction at the time. The entire collection fetched $21.5 million.The buyer was Jim Irsay (owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts), a noted collector of historic instruments. It became a centerpiece of his collection, exhibited publicly and occasionally played live (e.g., by Kenny Wayne Shepherd in tribute performances).
Post-2019 and Current Status (as of 2026)
Following Jim Irsay's passing in 2025, parts of his collection—including the Black Strat—are being auctioned. It is scheduled for sale again at Christie's in March 2026 as part of "The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame," alongside other legendary guitars.
The Black Strat's enduring legacy stems not from being pristine or rare in origin, but from Gilmour's constant experimentation—swapping necks, pickups, electronics, and hardware—to chase his ethereal, melodic sound. It remains a symbol of creative evolution in rock guitar history.
At the end of the 1960s, psychedelic music is taking over from classic rock and roll. To reach the fame, bands must now offer to the public sounds that are both dynamic and different. David becomes the guitarist of the Pink Floyd in 1968 to compensate for the incapacity of Syd Barrett victim of mental disorders.
The Black Strat was sold for $ 4M, lot 127. Made in 1969, it was bought new by David in 1970 at Manny's in New York. Until 1983 it is his favorite instrument, constantly modified by him to extract new sensational sounds. This instrument is a basic element of the Pink Floyd sound lab at their best time. It is played by David in 1973 in the album that will remain the biggest hit of the group, The Dark Side of the Moon.
This working guitar that was originally an ordinary Strat has become a cult instrument of rock in its post-Beatles phase. Leased for ten years at the Hard Rock Café in Dallas, it was later restored. Replicas were created by Fender from 2006 in two models, one of which named The Relic copying its state of wear before restoration.
In 2005, when the band's historic members meet in concert in London after a very long break, David Gilmour plays his Black Strat again. Frequently modified for half a century by its prestigious owner, it is offered with a reasonable estimate of $ 100K to 150K. Please read the article by Christie's telling its long story.
On March 12, 2026, it was sold for $ 14.6M by Christie's, lot 24 in the sale of the Irsay collection. A travel guitar case for Pink Floyd was included in the lot. It had been sold for $ 175K, lot 126 in the sale of the Gilmour collection.
The Black Strat is one of the most iconic electric guitars in rock history: a 1969 Fender Stratocaster famously owned and extensively used by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. It became synonymous with his signature soaring, expressive tone on landmark albums and live performances. Heavily modified over decades to suit Gilmour's evolving needs, it played a central role in defining Pink Floyd's sound during their classic era.
Origins and Acquisition (1969–1970)
The guitar was originally manufactured by Fender in Fullerton, California, in 1969 as an alder-body Stratocaster. It came from the factory with a sunburst finish (painted over in black), a maple neck with a large headstock and 21 frets, a white pickguard, and standard early features like a synchronized tremolo bridge and 3-way pickup selector.
David Gilmour purchased it in May 1970 from Manny's Music on West 48th Street in New York City. This was a replacement for a previous black Stratocaster (a gift from his parents for his 21st birthday) that had been stolen along with other Pink Floyd gear during a 1968 U.S. tour. Gilmour debuted it publicly at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music in June 1970.
Early Modifications and Classic Pink Floyd Era (1970–1980s)
The Black Strat quickly became Gilmour's primary recording and performance guitar for over 15 years. It underwent numerous changes to refine his tone:
- Later in 1970: Swapped to a 1963 rosewood fretboard neck for Dark Side of the Moon recordings (1972–1973) and tours.
- 1973: Installed a pickguard assembly from a 1971 Strat (with 1971-dated neck and middle pickups).
- Late 1979: Added a Seymour Duncan SSL-1C custom-wound bridge pickup.
- 1985: Upgraded to a 5-way pickup selector.
- Early 1980s: Experimented with various necks (including Charvel bird's-eye maple 22-fret necks) and briefly a Kahler tremolo system (installed ~1983, later removed).
- It featured prominently on Pink Floyd albums like The Dark Side of the Moon (1973; e.g., "Money"), Wish You Were Here (1975; e.g., "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"), Animals (1977), and The Wall (1979; e.g., "Comfortably Numb"). It also appeared on Gilmour's solo debut David Gilmour (1978) and About Face (1983), as well as the film Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii (1972).
Return, Later Use, and Signature Models (1997–2019)
In May 1997, Gilmour requested its return from the Hard Rock Cafe. Restorations included refitting the original bridge, patching Kahler modifications, and installing a '57 reissue-style neck in some configurations.
It was reclaimed for Pink Floyd's historic Live 8 reunion performance in London's Hyde Park on July 2, 2005 ("Comfortably Numb" solo). Gilmour then used it as his main guitar again for the next decade, including his solo albums On an Island (2006) and Rattle That Lock (2015), plus tours and Pink Floyd's The Endless River (2015).
Fender collaborated with Gilmour and his technician Phil Taylor to release the David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster in 2008 (Relic and NOS versions in black over sunburst), replicating its look, feel, and tone.
Phil Taylor documented its full evolution in his book Pink Floyd: The Black Strat – A History of David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster.2019 Auction at Christie'sAs part of "The David Gilmour Guitar Collection" (over 120 instruments auctioned for charity, benefiting ClientEarth for climate initiatives), the Black Strat went under the hammer at Christie's in New York on June 20, 2019. Estimated at $100,000–$150,000, it sold for $3,975,000 (including buyer's premium), setting a new world record for any guitar sold at auction at the time. The entire collection fetched $21.5 million.The buyer was Jim Irsay (owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts), a noted collector of historic instruments. It became a centerpiece of his collection, exhibited publicly and occasionally played live (e.g., by Kenny Wayne Shepherd in tribute performances).
Post-2019 and Current Status (as of 2026)
Following Jim Irsay's passing in 2025, parts of his collection—including the Black Strat—are being auctioned. It is scheduled for sale again at Christie's in March 2026 as part of "The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame," alongside other legendary guitars.
The Black Strat's enduring legacy stems not from being pristine or rare in origin, but from Gilmour's constant experimentation—swapping necks, pickups, electronics, and hardware—to chase his ethereal, melodic sound. It remains a symbol of creative evolution in rock guitar history.
2
(1964) - 1971 CF Martin
2026 SOLD for $ 2.4M by Christie's
The C.F. Martin D-35 acoustic guitar (1969) owned and played by David Gilmour—used to record Pink Floyd's seminal album Wish You Were Here (1975)—was sold by Christie's as Lot 25 in The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame live auction (Auction 24627, New York). The auction closed on March 12, 2026, realizing $2,393,000 USD (exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $800,000–$1,200,000). This places it among the most valuable acoustics ever sold at auction.
Key Features
Key Features
- Model and specifications: 1969 C.F. Martin & Company D-35 from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Dreadnought body with spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides (highly prized pre-CITES restriction tonewood for rich, balanced projection), mahogany neck, bound ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays, Brazilian rosewood headplate/faceplate, ebony bridge. Headstock features the classic "C.F. Martin & Co / EST. 1833" logo. Internally branded "C.F. MARTIN & Co. / NAZARETH. PA. MADE IN U.S.A. D-35 / 244869". Dimensions: back length 19 15/16 in. (50.7 cm); overall length 40 3/8 in. (102.7 cm).
- Unique elements: Retains the original pickguard. Known for its exceptional playability and tone, which Gilmour has called his favorite acoustic.
- Condition and playability: Well-used but maintained; underwent professional repairs (e.g., by Chandler Guitars in 2003 and Knight Guitars in 2010, with facsimile invoices included).
- Accessories and documentation: Accompanied by a later hardshell case and a modern free-standing glass display cabinet. Includes: original pickguard; facsimile repair receipts/invoices; a color photograph by Phil Taylor of Gilmour playing it at his East Sussex studio circa 2015; a color screenshot of Gilmour with it at his Astoria studio in 2005.
- Provenance: Purchased by Gilmour circa 1971 from a street musician outside Manny’s Music on West 48th Street, Manhattan (near where he bought his famous Black Strat the prior year). Served as his primary studio acoustic for Pink Floyd and solo work from late 1971 through 2019. Previously sold in Christie's The David Gilmour Guitar Collection auction (June 20, 2019, Lot 2) for $1,095,000 (a then-record for a Martin acoustic). Acquired by collector Jim Irsay post-2019.
- Role in Wish You Were Here (1975): The album—Pink Floyd's ninth studio release and follow-up to the blockbuster The Dark Side of the Moon—is a landmark in progressive/psychedelic rock, exploring themes of absence, industry alienation, and a tribute to Syd Barrett (with the title track's iconic acoustic intro and Gilmour's emotive solo). The D-35 was used prominently on the title track "Wish You Were Here," particularly for the distinctive, haunting solo that follows the 12-string acoustic intro (played on a separate Martin D-12-28). Its warm, singing tone contributed to the song's intimate, reflective feel amid the album's experimental soundscapes (synths, effects, multi-layered production). The record became a cultural touchstone, selling over 20 million copies and solidifying Pink Floyd's artistic peak in the mid-1970s.
- Broader Pink Floyd and Gilmour legacy: Acquired in 1971, it debuted in studio sessions for Obscured by Clouds (1972 soundtrack album), heard on tracks like "Wot’s… Uh The Deal," "Childhood’s End," and "Free Four" (co-written/recorded by Gilmour and Roger Waters). It served as the band's go-to studio acoustic through the 1970s and beyond, including pre-production for The Dark Side of the Moon (1973). Its versatility supported Pink Floyd's shift toward more acoustic textures amid their epic, conceptual works. Gilmour's attachment underscores its role in his melodic, emotive style—contrasting Roger Waters' bass/lyrics focus—helping define the band's signature atmospheric sound.
- Cultural and market impact: The guitar's auction history (2019: $1,095,000; 2026: $2,393,000) reflects surging demand for provenance-backed rock artifacts tied to iconic albums. It inspired Martin’s David Gilmour Signature D-35 models (introduced 2021, with sinker mahogany variants), extending its influence to modern players. In Pink Floyd lore, it symbolizes Gilmour's creative anchor during the band's most celebrated era, bridging their psychedelic roots with polished, emotional songcraft.
1979 Tiger by Irwin for Garcia
2026 SOLD for $ 11.6M by Christie's
Founded in California during the acidic era, the psychedelic band Grateful Dead plays electric music. The group is created and directed by the guitarist Jerry Garcia who needs the best instruments in this technique whose popularity is quite recent.
At the end of the 1960s Doug Irwin is a young biochemist disillusioned by his training. Despite the atmosphere of freedom of that time, everyone must find a job : Doug decides that he will construct electric guitars. After a self-taught training he joins the Alembic company founded in 1969 in the Grateful Dead rehearsal room.
At that time Alembic worked on the electronic processing of sound more than on its creation. In 1971 Doug builds his first electric guitar in his own name in his kitchen and brings it to a specialty shop. Jerry is there : he buys the instrument. This guitar named Eagle (Alembic) was sold for $ 186K by Bonhams on May 8, 2007.
Eagle plays the role of a prototype from which Jerry and Doug embark on a more ambitious project. The result is an asymmetrically necked guitar named Wolf. It is completed in 1973 and Jerry uses it intensively for six years.
In the dispute about the estate of Garcia who died in 1995, Irwin became the owner of Wolf and its successor Tiger. He auctioned them through Guernsey's on May 7, 2002. The result was $ 960K for Tiger and $ 790K for Wolf.
Wolf was sold again by Guernsey's on May 31, 2017, for $ 1.9M. This single lot charity sale was organized for the benefit of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Doug Irwin, a renowned luthier who worked briefly at Alembic before going independent, built several iconic custom guitars for Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. These instruments represent a key evolution in Garcia's setup during the 1970s and beyond, moving from lighter, more experimental designs to heavier, tonally rich "super guitars" with elaborate inlays and construction.
The Starting Point: "Eagle" (1971–1972)
The story begins with the first guitar Doug Irwin built while still at Alembic (his #001). Toward the end of 1972, Jerry Garcia encountered this guitar, bought it on the spot for $850, and had it customized slightly. It featured an eagle inlay on the headstock (Irwin's signature logo), which gave it the nickname "Eagle". This was Garcia's introduction to Irwin's work—lightweight, high-quality, with an ebony fingerboard and 24 frets. It was played briefly (e.g., live on May 13, 1973) but served mainly as the spark for future commissions. Garcia immediately asked Irwin to build him a custom guitar, leading to the next phase.
Evolution from Eagle to Wolf (1972–1973)
Inspired by Eagle, Garcia commissioned a more personalized instrument right away. Irwin began work in May 1972 and delivered it in May 1973 (serial #007, cost $1,500).
Full History of Wolf
Subsequent History of Wolf
At the end of the 1960s Doug Irwin is a young biochemist disillusioned by his training. Despite the atmosphere of freedom of that time, everyone must find a job : Doug decides that he will construct electric guitars. After a self-taught training he joins the Alembic company founded in 1969 in the Grateful Dead rehearsal room.
At that time Alembic worked on the electronic processing of sound more than on its creation. In 1971 Doug builds his first electric guitar in his own name in his kitchen and brings it to a specialty shop. Jerry is there : he buys the instrument. This guitar named Eagle (Alembic) was sold for $ 186K by Bonhams on May 8, 2007.
Eagle plays the role of a prototype from which Jerry and Doug embark on a more ambitious project. The result is an asymmetrically necked guitar named Wolf. It is completed in 1973 and Jerry uses it intensively for six years.
In the dispute about the estate of Garcia who died in 1995, Irwin became the owner of Wolf and its successor Tiger. He auctioned them through Guernsey's on May 7, 2002. The result was $ 960K for Tiger and $ 790K for Wolf.
Wolf was sold again by Guernsey's on May 31, 2017, for $ 1.9M. This single lot charity sale was organized for the benefit of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Doug Irwin, a renowned luthier who worked briefly at Alembic before going independent, built several iconic custom guitars for Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. These instruments represent a key evolution in Garcia's setup during the 1970s and beyond, moving from lighter, more experimental designs to heavier, tonally rich "super guitars" with elaborate inlays and construction.
The Starting Point: "Eagle" (1971–1972)
The story begins with the first guitar Doug Irwin built while still at Alembic (his #001). Toward the end of 1972, Jerry Garcia encountered this guitar, bought it on the spot for $850, and had it customized slightly. It featured an eagle inlay on the headstock (Irwin's signature logo), which gave it the nickname "Eagle". This was Garcia's introduction to Irwin's work—lightweight, high-quality, with an ebony fingerboard and 24 frets. It was played briefly (e.g., live on May 13, 1973) but served mainly as the spark for future commissions. Garcia immediately asked Irwin to build him a custom guitar, leading to the next phase.
Evolution from Eagle to Wolf (1972–1973)
Inspired by Eagle, Garcia commissioned a more personalized instrument right away. Irwin began work in May 1972 and delivered it in May 1973 (serial #007, cost $1,500).
- Construction: Asymmetrical body (to address balance issues Irwin noted at Alembic), made from purpleheart and curly maple with an ebony fingerboard and 24 frets.
- Initial state: It had a peacock inlay on the headstock and no wolf motif yet.
- Naming and transformation: Garcia added a bloodthirsty cartoon wolf sticker below the tailpiece, which named it "Wolf". During the Grateful Dead's 1974 European tour, the headstock broke after falls off the stage. Irwin repaired it by replacing the peacock with his eagle logo inlay and adding a stunning ebony-and-brass wolf inlay on the body near the tailpiece—solidifying its identity.
- Usage: Garcia described Wolf as feeling like "an extension of myself" with "a certain magic." It was his primary guitar from 1973 onward, with updates like DiMarzio pickups in the late 1970s. It saw use until the early 1990s (briefly as a MIDI test bed in 1988).
Full History of Wolf
- 1972–1973: Built and delivered; initial peacock headstock + wolf sticker.
- 1974: Damaged on tour → repaired with eagle headstock and wolf body inlay.
- 1970s–1980s: Primary guitar; pickup swaps (e.g., DiMarzio in mid-1978).
- 1988: Brief MIDI experiments.
- Following Garcia's death in 1995, a legal dispute arose between Doug Irwin (the builder) and the Grateful Dead organization over ownership of four Irwin-built guitars Garcia had used: Wolf, Tiger, Rosebud, and Headless (the last never played live by Garcia).
- Garcia's will reportedly bequeathed his instruments to Irwin, but the band claimed rights as well.
- The parties settled in 2001/early 2002: Irwin received Wolf and Tiger, while the Grateful Dead took Rosebud and Headless.
- Irwin then consigned both Wolf and Tiger to Guernsey's for auction on May 8, 2002, in New York (held at Studio 54).
- Tiger sold for $850,000 (hammer price; $957,500 including buyer's premium) to Jim Irsay (owner of the Indianapolis Colts, a major memorabilia collector).
- Wolf sold for $700,000 (hammer price; $789,500 including premium) to an anonymous buyer (later identified in reports as philanthropist/musician Daniel Pritzker).
Subsequent History of Wolf
- After the 2002 sale, Wolf was owned by Daniel Pritzker for about 15 years.
- In 2017, Pritzker consigned it back to Guernsey's for a charity auction benefiting the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
- The single-lot auction took place on May 31, 2017, at Brooklyn Bowl in New York.
- It sold for $1.9 million (including buyer's premium) to Brian Halligan (CEO of HubSpot and a longtime Grateful Dead fan).
- Halligan's bid was matched by an additional $1.6 million donation, raising a total of $3.2 million for the SPLC.
- Wolf remains in Halligan's ownership as of the latest available information (including uses by others like musician Zach Nugent on recordings, with Halligan's permission).
Made in 1979, Tiger is less asymmetrical than Wolf. It innovates in the position of the strings. Garcia used it as his main guitar until 1989 when he replaced it by another Irwin guitar known as Rosebud.
In 1995 Tiger was the guitar of the very last concert of the Grateful Dead when Garcia re-used it after a mechanical problem on Rosebud.
Evolution from Wolf to Tiger (1973–1979)Immediately after receiving Wolf, Garcia commissioned another guitar, telling Irwin: "Don't hold back"—make it the best possible, no cost concerns (final cost around $5,800). Irwin took six years (1973–1979) to complete it, treating it as his masterpiece at the time.
Full History of Tiger
These guitars (along with later ones like Rosebud) highlight Irwin's collaboration with Garcia, blending craftsmanship, personal symbolism (eagle logo, animal inlays), and tonal innovation.
In 1995 Tiger was the guitar of the very last concert of the Grateful Dead when Garcia re-used it after a mechanical problem on Rosebud.
Evolution from Wolf to Tiger (1973–1979)Immediately after receiving Wolf, Garcia commissioned another guitar, telling Irwin: "Don't hold back"—make it the best possible, no cost concerns (final cost around $5,800). Irwin took six years (1973–1979) to complete it, treating it as his masterpiece at the time.
- Construction: "Hippie sandwich" laminated body (layers of cocobolo, vermilion, maple, and others) with solid brass binding/hardware, ebony fingerboard, 24 frets. It weighed about 13.5 lbs—heavy for density and sustain.
- Naming: A tiger inlay on the battery/preamp cover plate (near the tailpiece) gave it the name "Tiger".
- Debut and role: First played live with the Grateful Dead on August 4, 1979, at the Oakland Auditorium (on "Jack Straw"). It became Garcia's main guitar from 1979 to 1989, defining much of the Dead's late-'70s/1980s sound with its rich, deep tone.
- Later years: Garcia continued using it sporadically even after shifting to other Irwin guitars (like Rosebud in 1990). Tiger was the last guitar he played publicly with the Dead—at their final show on July 9, 1995, at Soldier Field ("Box of Rain").
Full History of Tiger
- 1973–1979: Commissioned and built over ~6 years/2000+ hours.
- 1979–1989: Garcia's main stage guitar.
- 1989–1995: Continued use alongside successors like Rosebud.
- 1995: Final public performance with the Dead.
- Irwin consigned both Wolf and Tiger to Guernsey's for auction on May 8, 2002, in New York (held at Studio 54).
- Tiger sold for $850,000 (hammer price; $957,500 including buyer's premium) to Jim Irsay (owner of the Indianapolis Colts, a major memorabilia collector).
- Wolf sold for $700,000 (hammer price; $789,500 including premium) to an anonymous buyer (later identified in reports as philanthropist/musician Daniel Pritzker).
- Tiger has remained in Jim Irsay's collection since 2002.
- Irsay has occasionally loaned or displayed it (e.g., in museums or at tribute events where musicians like Warren Haynes played it).
- Parts of Irsay's vast collection—including Tiger—was headed to auction at Christie's on March 12, 2026, lot 27. Tiger fetched $ 11.6M.
These guitars (along with later ones like Rosebud) highlight Irwin's collaboration with Garcia, blending craftsmanship, personal symbolism (eagle logo, animal inlays), and tonal innovation.
1982 VAN HALEN
1
Frankenstrat
2023 SOLD for $ 3.9M by Sotheby's
The Van Halen family rock band was founded in Pasadena in 1973. The two brothers soon switched their instruments with the drummer Eddie becoming the guitarist.
Eddie Van Halen was a keen designer and experimenter. Not happy to make a choice between the leading trademarks Fender and Gibson, he conceived his own electric guitars with elements from both of them. The name Frankenstrat was coined by him as a reference to Fender's Strat(ocaster) and to the Franken(stein) movies with beings built from composite human sources.
In 1982 Eddie accepted a deal with the maker Kramer to build Frankenstrats from his requirements.
One of them made in the fall of that year was the first to include a not yet patented supporting device that enabled a two hand tapping like on a piano. This instrument was used by him in 1983 in the video clip Hot for Teacher played by the Van Halen band with a gang of unruly schoolchildren and a few women in bikini. That song released in an album in the next year is a mixing of glam metal, heavy metal, hard rock and speed metal.
The Hot for Teacher guitar was sold for $ 3.9M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Sotheby's on April 18, 2023, lot 124. The straight jacket and white gloves worn by Eddie Van Halen in the video are joined to the lot. It is decorated by the Dutch born Eddie with white and black stripes in the abstract De Stijl fashion.
The innovations brought by Van Halen for this specific instrument went to be the basis for a production of replica Frankenstrats by Kramer.
Grok response :
Quote
Universal 88.1 FM @universal881fm Apr 25, 2023
La icónica guitarra Frankenstrat que Eddie Van Halen, la cual tocó tanto en el escenario como en el clásico video de Hot for Teacher, se subastó esta semana por $3.9 millones de dólares a través de Sotheby's.
Eddie Van Halen was a keen designer and experimenter. Not happy to make a choice between the leading trademarks Fender and Gibson, he conceived his own electric guitars with elements from both of them. The name Frankenstrat was coined by him as a reference to Fender's Strat(ocaster) and to the Franken(stein) movies with beings built from composite human sources.
In 1982 Eddie accepted a deal with the maker Kramer to build Frankenstrats from his requirements.
One of them made in the fall of that year was the first to include a not yet patented supporting device that enabled a two hand tapping like on a piano. This instrument was used by him in 1983 in the video clip Hot for Teacher played by the Van Halen band with a gang of unruly schoolchildren and a few women in bikini. That song released in an album in the next year is a mixing of glam metal, heavy metal, hard rock and speed metal.
The Hot for Teacher guitar was sold for $ 3.9M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Sotheby's on April 18, 2023, lot 124. The straight jacket and white gloves worn by Eddie Van Halen in the video are joined to the lot. It is decorated by the Dutch born Eddie with white and black stripes in the abstract De Stijl fashion.
The innovations brought by Van Halen for this specific instrument went to be the basis for a production of replica Frankenstrats by Kramer.
Grok response :
Quote
Universal 88.1 FM @universal881fm Apr 25, 2023
La icónica guitarra Frankenstrat que Eddie Van Halen, la cual tocó tanto en el escenario como en el clásico video de Hot for Teacher, se subastó esta semana por $3.9 millones de dólares a través de Sotheby's.
- The post from Mexican classic rock radio station Universal 88.1 FM highlights the April 2023 Sotheby's auction of Eddie Van Halen's 1979 Frankenstrat guitar—custom-built from scavenged parts and famed for its red-white-black stripes—for $3.93 million, exceeding estimates by over $1 million.
- This guitar, central to Van Halen's two-handed tapping technique debuted in the band's 1978 self-titled album, appeared in the 1984 "Hot for Teacher" video and on stage, symbolizing his innovative rock style that influenced generations of guitarists.
- Accompanying image shows Van Halen performing with the guitar alongside a close-up, underscoring its visual icon status; the sale, part of estate proceeds after his 2020 death, reflects surging demand for rock memorabilia, with a similar Van Halen guitar eyed for $2-3 million in a 2025 auction.
2
Frankenstein style
2025 SOLD for $ 2.73M by Sotheby's
Another Frankenstein style guitar is a more direct replica from the 1975 original concept.
It was built by Eddie Van Halen in the workshop of Kramer Guitar Company from a Fender Stratocaster body mingling with Gibson elements. The graphic design is a reminder of De Stijl as for the Hot for Teacher instrument narrated above.
It was played on stage in tours in North and South Americas by Eddie in 1982 and 1983 and exhibits extensive wear and soiling from use. The body is inscribed by Eddie to his period technician. It was sold for $ 2.73M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Sotheby's on October 24, 2025, lot 20.
It was built by Eddie Van Halen in the workshop of Kramer Guitar Company from a Fender Stratocaster body mingling with Gibson elements. The graphic design is a reminder of De Stijl as for the Hot for Teacher instrument narrated above.
It was played on stage in tours in North and South Americas by Eddie in 1982 and 1983 and exhibits extensive wear and soiling from use. The body is inscribed by Eddie to his period technician. It was sold for $ 2.73M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Sotheby's on October 24, 2025, lot 20.
COBAIN
1
(1969)-1991 Fender Mustang of Kurt Cobain
2026 SOLD for $ 6.9M by Christie's
MTV (Music Tele Vision) is the American cable channel that offers a music beloved by the X Generation. In August 1991 Nirvana is invited. They play their hard rock guitar song Smells like Teen Spirit, one of the biggest hits in pop music history, which brings their transition to stardom. The title is released two weeks later in the second album of the group, Nevermind. It has 1.4 billion views on YouTube as of 2022.
The 24 year old band leader Kurt Cobain is playing one of his favorite instruments, a newly purchased left handed Fender Mustang guitar made in 1969.
Still with its original case, this blue six string instrument was sold for $ 4.6M by Julien's on May 22, 2022, lot 1008. A portion of the proceeds went to a mental health charity. It is in good condition despite being thrown by Cobain on a mixing board during a club appearance. It was sold for $ 6.9M by Christie's on March 12, 2026, lot 31 in the sale of the Jim Irsay collection.
The guitar in question is a left-handed 1969 Fender Mustang in Competition Lake Placid Blue finish (with matching headstock), serial number F 279651. This is the iconic instrument Kurt Cobain played in the groundbreaking music video for Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," directed by Samuel Bayer and released in 1991. It has been confirmed as the one used prominently in that video, which helped propel the song—and grunge/alternative rock—into mainstream global dominance via heavy MTV rotation.
This specific guitar was previously auctioned at Julien's Auctions in New York from May 20-23, 2022, as lot 1008 in their "Music Icons" sale. It sold for approximately $4.687 million (or around $4.5–4.7 million depending on the source, including fees), far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of around $600,000–$800,000. The buyer was the late Jim Irsay (owner of the Indianapolis Colts), who added it to his renowned collection of historic music memorabilia.
It is now being offered again by Christie's in New York on March 12, 2026, as lot 31 in the sale titled "The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame." This is part of a larger series of auctions from Irsay's estate following his passing, featuring hundreds of culturally significant items (including other legendary guitars like David Gilmour's Black Strat and Eric Clapton's "The Fool" SG). Pre-sale estimates for this Mustang are $2.5 million to $5 million, reflecting its enduring value and status as one of the most recognizable rock instruments ever.
Cobain acquired the guitar around 1990–1991 from Voltage Guitars (via Lloyd Chaite) in Los Angeles. He described it as one of his favorites—particularly as a left-handed player who struggled to find quality, affordable options—and used it extensively in studio and live settings.
Significance in Hard Rock/Grunge History and Cobain's Career
This Fender Mustang embodies the raw, anti-establishment ethos of grunge and Nirvana's explosive impact on 1990s rock music:
Its image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Razvan Orendovici from United States, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The 24 year old band leader Kurt Cobain is playing one of his favorite instruments, a newly purchased left handed Fender Mustang guitar made in 1969.
Still with its original case, this blue six string instrument was sold for $ 4.6M by Julien's on May 22, 2022, lot 1008. A portion of the proceeds went to a mental health charity. It is in good condition despite being thrown by Cobain on a mixing board during a club appearance. It was sold for $ 6.9M by Christie's on March 12, 2026, lot 31 in the sale of the Jim Irsay collection.
The guitar in question is a left-handed 1969 Fender Mustang in Competition Lake Placid Blue finish (with matching headstock), serial number F 279651. This is the iconic instrument Kurt Cobain played in the groundbreaking music video for Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," directed by Samuel Bayer and released in 1991. It has been confirmed as the one used prominently in that video, which helped propel the song—and grunge/alternative rock—into mainstream global dominance via heavy MTV rotation.
This specific guitar was previously auctioned at Julien's Auctions in New York from May 20-23, 2022, as lot 1008 in their "Music Icons" sale. It sold for approximately $4.687 million (or around $4.5–4.7 million depending on the source, including fees), far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of around $600,000–$800,000. The buyer was the late Jim Irsay (owner of the Indianapolis Colts), who added it to his renowned collection of historic music memorabilia.
It is now being offered again by Christie's in New York on March 12, 2026, as lot 31 in the sale titled "The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame." This is part of a larger series of auctions from Irsay's estate following his passing, featuring hundreds of culturally significant items (including other legendary guitars like David Gilmour's Black Strat and Eric Clapton's "The Fool" SG). Pre-sale estimates for this Mustang are $2.5 million to $5 million, reflecting its enduring value and status as one of the most recognizable rock instruments ever.
Cobain acquired the guitar around 1990–1991 from Voltage Guitars (via Lloyd Chaite) in Los Angeles. He described it as one of his favorites—particularly as a left-handed player who struggled to find quality, affordable options—and used it extensively in studio and live settings.
Significance in Hard Rock/Grunge History and Cobain's Career
This Fender Mustang embodies the raw, anti-establishment ethos of grunge and Nirvana's explosive impact on 1990s rock music:
- Recording and Studio Use: Cobain used it during sessions for Nirvana's landmark albums Nevermind (1991, which includes "Smells Like Teen Spirit") and In Utero (1993). While not the sole guitar on every track, its association ties it directly to the band's defining sound—distorted, feedback-heavy tones that blended punk aggression with pop melody. The Mustang's short-scale neck and unique circuitry (with a unique switching system for out-of-phase sounds) contributed to Cobain's distinctive, often chaotic timbre.
- Live Performances: It appeared in key shows during Nirvana's peak, including a 1991 in-store performance in Seattle and select gigs through early 1993 (with documented repairs after on-stage damage, such as a broken neck joint from a 1991 Dallas show).
- Cultural Icon Status: Its starring role in the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video—where Cobain smashes his guitar amid a chaotic high-school pep rally scene—cemented its place in music history. The song itself became an anthem for Generation X disillusionment, shifting hard rock away from hair metal's excess toward raw authenticity. The video's success made Nirvana superstars overnight and marked grunge's breakthrough into the mainstream, influencing countless bands and ending the dominance of 1980s glam rock.
- Broader Legacy: Cobain's preference for affordable, modified offset Fenders (like Mustangs and Jaguars) symbolized his rejection of rock-star excess. This guitar, preserved in its played-in condition, represents the pinnacle of that approach. Its auction history (first $4.7M in 2022, now back on the block) underscores its status as one of the most valuable guitars ever sold—second only to some like Cobain's own MTV Unplugged Martin D-18E ($6M in 2020)—and a tangible link to a pivotal shift in hard rock history.
Its image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Razvan Orendovici from United States, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
2
(1959) - 1993 CF Martin of Kurt Cobain
2020 SOLD for $ 6M by Julien's
In the 1990s, young people wanted to have an authentic and relaxed life, opposed to the orthodoxy of their elders. Their main subculture is the grunge, a mixture of hard rock and heavy metal for music, and of hippie and punk for a deliberately offbeat clothing.
This trend ensures the fame for the group Nirvana, created in 1987, and its leader, singer, guitarist and co-founder Kurt Cobain. The grunge is often named the Seattle music.
In 1989 the musical television channel MTV created Unplugged, a series of programs in which groups were invited to reinterpret their best songs while leaving all electronic equipment except microphones.
Nirvana accepts MTV's invitation for a recording to be made on November 18, 1993. They need this program for boosting the sales of their album In Utero, which had not the expected success. Kurt Cobain is excessively nervous during the preparation phase, probably feeling a risk of recuperation of his art by the establishment. He imposes his solutions on the MTV team, including a morbid setting.
For the show, Nirvana plays fourteen songs in one take. In accordance with his commitment, Cobain uses an acoustic guitar. He chose a Martin D18-E from 1959. This instrument is one of the stars of the show : in the last sequence, Cobain places it reverently on its stand and leaves the stage.
Kurt was an irreducible perfectionist. He could not bring himself to offer an exclusively acoustic sound in this program. A hidden pickup was used in the Martin for at least one of the songs.
The record titled MTV Unplugged in New York released a year later is one of Nirvana's greatest hits, posthumously for Cobain. The Martin was sold for $ 6M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Julien's on June 19 and 20, 2020, lot 742. The olive green cardigan worn by the blond singer in this show was sold for $ 334K on October 25, 2019 by the same auction house.
This trend ensures the fame for the group Nirvana, created in 1987, and its leader, singer, guitarist and co-founder Kurt Cobain. The grunge is often named the Seattle music.
In 1989 the musical television channel MTV created Unplugged, a series of programs in which groups were invited to reinterpret their best songs while leaving all electronic equipment except microphones.
Nirvana accepts MTV's invitation for a recording to be made on November 18, 1993. They need this program for boosting the sales of their album In Utero, which had not the expected success. Kurt Cobain is excessively nervous during the preparation phase, probably feeling a risk of recuperation of his art by the establishment. He imposes his solutions on the MTV team, including a morbid setting.
For the show, Nirvana plays fourteen songs in one take. In accordance with his commitment, Cobain uses an acoustic guitar. He chose a Martin D18-E from 1959. This instrument is one of the stars of the show : in the last sequence, Cobain places it reverently on its stand and leaves the stage.
Kurt was an irreducible perfectionist. He could not bring himself to offer an exclusively acoustic sound in this program. A hidden pickup was used in the Martin for at least one of the songs.
The record titled MTV Unplugged in New York released a year later is one of Nirvana's greatest hits, posthumously for Cobain. The Martin was sold for $ 6M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Julien's on June 19 and 20, 2020, lot 742. The olive green cardigan worn by the blond singer in this show was sold for $ 334K on October 25, 2019 by the same auction house.
