Posted on 06/23/2019 6:35:53 AM PDT by Drew68
The minds of a lot of Dads, worldwide, must be boggling right about now. Not only is there a new record for the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction, it’s
A. An item deeply connected to the legacy of Pink Floyd, and
B. contributing almost $4 million to charity in the process.
Regardless of your opinion of a media mogul like Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Isray, the guitar’s new owner, that is still one heck of an impressive figure. And David Gilmour’s legendary “Black Strat” wasn’t even the only item that Isray picked up at the Thursday auction from the David Gilmour Guitar Collection at Christie’s New York. All in all, he got the following:
— A 1969 black Fender Stratocaster, The Black Strat,” for $3.975 million.
— A 1969 Martin D-35 acoustic guitar, for $1.095 million.
— A travel case used for “The Black Strat,” for $175,000.
All in all, that’s a tiny little $5.245 million expenditure that heads in Gilmour’s direction, who announced on Wednesday that he would donate all proceeds from the auction to ClientEarth, an environmental law charity that will use the funds to help in the fight against climate change. In total, the auction raised an astounding $21.491 million from more than 120 guitars and amplifiers. We’re not surprised, per se, that Gilmour has more than $20 million in guitars to get rid of on any given day, but still—damn.
“The Black Strat” is as valuable as it is due to the recordings Gilmour used it on, including the albums The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. The Martin D-35 acoustic, on the other hand, features prominently in the title track of “Wish You Were Here,” which is one of the more iconic guitar tunes of all time.
The previous record for the most expensive guitar was a Stratocaster sold in 2005 for $2.7 million, to benefit tsunami relief in Asia. That guitar had been signed by a bevy of rock superstars, including Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and Gilmour as well. But it was presumably the real-life history of “The Black Strat” that pushed its value into totally uncharted territory.
Isray, understandably, was pretty chipper about his new purchase. Hopefully he’ll feel the same way after waking up tomorrow morning and remembering he spent $4 million on it.
On another note he is an icon
Fools and their money....
As a musician, without a doubt. The auction of several of Gilmour's instruments, and which actually crashed Christie's website, raised millions for an organization fighting climate change.
Some years back Gilmour liquidated much of his estate to raise money for a homeless shelter in London.
His money. His guitars.
Christie's valued it at $100k-$150k. Gilmour would agree with playing it. He always viewed his instruments as nothing more than tools of the trade. No different from a hammer or wrench that you could buy off the shelf.
A relative bargain. A quality cello used in a symphony orchestra can sell for 10 million or more.
Made some rich lawyers very rich.
What a shame, throwing that much money at a fake cause when he could have helped so many people.
Irsay does play them, and he has allowed fans of certain musicians to see and play the guitars. He’s very generous with his collection.
100-150k$? Hooboy they were waaaaay off. I guess somebody else with deep pockets wanted it too.
Very cool. He needs to buy a Strat from Yngwie J. Malmsteen so I can play it.
Those were handcrafted instruments by renowned luthiers, hundreds of years old.
This was an off-the-rack Fender Stratocaster, factory produced. Gilmour replaced the neck on it and at one time routed out the body for a Kahler tremolo which he grew tired of and later plugged it back up with a block of wood.
I wonder how much Neil Young would get for Old Black? But I don’t think he’s ready to sell.
I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don’t need him around anyhow
The guitar that will break the bank will be Jimmy Page’s “#1” 1959 Gibson Les Paul. If he ever sells it, that is.
There’s no guitar worth more than that one. It’s the most valuable electric guitar in the world.
Amazing,
Could be. But Gilmour still owns the first Strat ever built. 00001. I can't imagine how much that is worth.
If you are going to give away money to causes, it still has to be smart. Most causes will fleece that money. The helping industry is mostly one big scam of leftists and opportunists.
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