The renowned electric guitar known as the “Black Strat,” which David Gilmour used extensively throughout his career with Pink Floyd and as a solo artist, was sold at a Christie’s auction for a staggering $14.55 million, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a guitar at auction. An undisclosed buyer successfully bid on the iconic instrument after a spirited 20-minute auction session.
This sale surpassed the previous record set at a 2020 Julien’s auction when Kurt Cobain’s Martin guitar from his performance on MTV Unplugged sold for $6.01 million. Gilmour acquired the black Fender Stratocaster in 1970 in New York as a replacement for Pink Floyd’s stolen equipment during a U.S. tour. It became his primary guitar for various projects over the years, undergoing several modifications and customizations.
After being loaned to the Hard Rock Café for display, the Black Strat gained prominence again during Pink Floyd’s reunion at Live 8 in London’s Hyde Park in 2005. Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, had purchased the guitar in 2019 for $3.975 million. The recent auction, featuring items from Irsay’s collection, including guitars and music memorabilia, marked one of four auctions this month showcasing his eclectic music assortment.
In addition to the Black Strat, several other guitars made it to the top 10 list of most expensive guitars ever sold at auction during the same event. Jerry Garcia’s custom guitar, used during his final performance with the Grateful Dead, fetched $11.56 million. A guitar played by Cobain in Nirvana’s albums and the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video sold for $6.9 million. Two Eric Clapton guitars, including a Cream-era Gibson SG and the Martin acoustic from MTV Unplugged, also made the coveted list.
The auction on Thursday saw all 44 lots being sold, generating a total of over $84 million, inclusive of the auction house commission.