The renowned electric guitar known as the “Black Strat,” extensively used by David Gilmour throughout his career with Pink Floyd and as a solo artist, was sold for a staggering $14.55 million US at a recent Christie’s auction. This sale set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a guitar at auction, surpassing the previous record set in 2020 for Kurt Cobain’s Martin guitar from MTV Unplugged, which sold for $6.01 million.
David Gilmour acquired the black Fender Stratocaster in 1970 in New York as a replacement instrument after Pink Floyd’s equipment was stolen during a U.S. tour. This guitar became his primary instrument for most recordings and performances over the years. Despite undergoing various modifications and being displayed at the Hard Rock Café, it gained significant attention during Pink Floyd’s Live 8 reunion performance in 2005.
The Black Strat was put up for auction by Gilmour in 2019 to raise funds for charity and was purchased by Jim Irsay, the late owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, for $3.975 million. The recent Christie’s auction, featuring items from Irsay’s collection, including iconic guitars and music memorabilia, marked one of four auctions this month showcasing his diverse musical possessions, often hailed as one of the world’s most remarkable guitar collections.
In addition to the Black Strat, several other guitars made headlines at the auction, with Jerry Garcia’s custom guitar selling for $11.56 million, one of Kurt Cobain’s guitars fetching $6.9 million, and two of Eric Clapton’s guitars reaching impressive prices. All 44 lots offered at the auction were sold, totaling over $84 million, including the auction house commission.
The auction not only set a new record with the sale of the “Black Strat” but also saw multiple guitars entering the top 10 list of the most expensive guitars ever sold at auction, making it a monumental event in the music memorabilia world.