If dollars are any indication of the impact made by some of Classic Rock’s most revered guitarists, then this list speaks volumes. -Spencer
- 1949 Fender Broadcaster prototype. Sold for $375,000.
This guitar in the center was Leo Fender’s first prototype for the most popular guitar ever made – the Fender Telecaster
- Eric Clapton’s Gold Leaf Stratocaster. Sold for $455,550.
This guitar was ordered by Eric Clapton in 1996, around the 50th anniversary of Fender. Clapton wanted something that could hang in a museum, so the company made him a custom fender plated with 23 carat gold.
- George Harrison and John Lennon’s 1964 Gibson SG. Sold for $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.
- “Lenny” – SRV’s 1965 Fender Composite Stratocaster. Sold for $623,500.
Blues great Stevie Ray Vaughan received this instrument from his wife, Lenny, in 1980 as a 26th birthday present. This guitar was one of his favorites and he used it many times up until his death in 1990.
- Eric Clapton’s CF Martin & Co, circa 1939. Sold for $791,500.
Another guitar owned by Eric Clapton that was sold to raise money for his Crossroads Rehabilitation Center.
- Eric Clapton’s 1964 Gibson ES0335 TDC. Sold for $847,500.
Eric Clapton purchased his first Gibson guitar in 1964. It was this Cherry Red 335 (a.k.a the Cream Guitar). He sold it at auction in June 2004.
- “Blackie” – Eric Clapton’s Stratocaster hybrid. Sold for $959,500.
In 1970 Eric Clapton switched from Gibson to Stratocaster guitars. He bought six vintage “Strats” from a guitar shop for $100 each. He gave one each to George Harrison, Pete Townshend and Steve Winwood, and took apart the remaining three to make one guitar – Blackie.
- Bob Marley’s Custom made Washburn 22 series Hawk. Est. $1.2m to $2m.
Classified as a national asset by the Jamaican government, it is one of the only seven guitars owned by the reggae icon.
- Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Stratocaster. Estimated price $2m.
This guitar was played by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock in 1969 and was reportedly bought by Paul Allen of Microsoft in 1998 for $2m.
- Reach out to Asia Fender Stratocaster: Sold for $2.7 million.
In 2005, this guitar was sold in an auction in Qatar to raise funds for Reach Out to Asia, a charity formed to help tsunami victims. The instrument is 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 and Malcolm Young, Paul McCartney, Sting, Ritchie Blackmore, Def Leppard and Bryan Adams.