Posted on 03/13/2026 8:20:51 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
Pink Floyd singer/guitarist David Gilmour’s iconic “Black Strat” electric guitar set an all-time record on Thursday (March 12) during a Christie’s auction in New York when it became the most expensive guitar ever sold. According to The New York Times, the guitar that was a key part of such classic Floyd albums as 1973’s The Dark Side of the Moon, 1975’s Wish You Were Here and 1979’s The Wall sold for $14.55 million to an online bidder in a 21-minute bidding war, more than doubling the previous record-holder, late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E acoustic guitar which he played on MTV Unplugged just months before his April 1994 death, which sold for $6.01 million in 2020.
At press time the buyer was not identified.
Gilmour’s instrument can be heard on such beloved Floyd songs as “Money,” “Comfortably Numb” and “Shine on Your Crazy Diamond” and it easily smashed the pre-sale estimate of $2-$4 million. According to the Times, the black Fender Stratocaster purchased by Gilmour in 1970 from New York’s beloved Manny’s Music store in Manhattan is covered in scratches and chipped paint from decades of use; Gilmour played it on every studio recording from 1972-1983, as well as during many live performances in that period.
The guitar was one of a number of high-profile items that went under the gavel on Thursday as part of a sale of items from late Indianapolis Colts owner and pop culture memorabilia super-collector Jim Irsay, who died last year. Irsay bought Gilmour’s guitar in 2019 during a previous Christie’s auction for just over $5 million.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
I collect Pendleton wool shirts, most things by Filson I can lay my hands on, and really classic men’s coats, including Harris Tweed. My widow can dish them off to family or Goodwill. I collect because I love them. Nobody else has to care.
I was thinking the same thing Gilmore is a multi millionaire, even Dead Syd Barret is still making money to this day, and he died 20 years ago.
Syd Barrett’s estate earned an estimated $81 million in 2025, largely due to the $400 million sale of Pink Floyd’s catalog and rights to Sony. As a founding member, Barrett’s estate received a significant share, placing him among the highest-earning dead celebrities
2025 Earnings: The Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid dead celebrities ranked Barrett (and his estate) 4th, with $81 million following the Sony music deal.
As far as Gilmore He has donated millions already and is still worth at least 180 million.
Net Worth: $180 Million
David joined Pink Floyd very early on, becoming their guitarist as well as co-lead vocalist. As you know, they’re one of the best-selling groups of all time. But David also has produced other top acts, racking up even more royalties, as well as releasing a handful of solo records.
He’s considered the 14th greatest guitarist of all time, in all the halls of fame and honored by Great Britain with the CBE title. He’s a huge philanthropist, giving and raising money for countless charities and causes....
“I was thinking the same thing”
That this was a charity event, or
Gilmour was not involved.
“Irsay, himself a guitarist and member of the Jim Irsay Band, developed a deep appreciation for instruments. Over the years, he assembled over 200 guitars associated with artists from across the musical spectrum, including Kurt Cobain, Jerry Garcia, Prince and Eric Clapton.”
His has collected over 200 guitars? Wow. That’s impressive.
Maybe he has enough room in his own residence to store and/or properly display them. Certainly what you’d call an aficionado of that kind of music and the guitars of the most famous.
both
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