In a hurry?  

Here’s a quick rundown of the five most expensive guitars ever sold, just to give you an idea of what we’re dealing with here.

1. Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E – sold for $6,010,000 (2020) 
2. Kurt Cobain’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Fender Mustang – sold for $4,550,000 (2022)
3. David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster – sold for $3,975,000 (2019) 
4. Eddie Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” Kramer – sold for $3,932,000 (2023) 
5. John Lennon’s Help! 12 String – sold for $2,857,500  

The most expensive guitars ever sold

1. Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E – $600,010,000

Taking the number one spot as the most expensive guitar ever sold is Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E, used in Nirvana’s legendary MTV Unplugged performance (1993). Cobain’s Martin was sold to the founder of Rode Microphones, Peter Freedman, in 2020 for the mountainous figure of $600,010,000.  

At the time of writing, this masterpiece is on exhibition at the Royal College of Music Museum in London and will stay there until November 2025. Staying true to the rugged grunge character that permeated all of Nirvana’s music, Cobain’s Martin features a recut nut for lefty accessibility, two DeArmond pickups, and an accompanying vintage black hardshell case with a “Fragile” sticker slapped on.  

Martin’s D-18 StreetLegend offers a roughed-up version of the D-18 that’s just begging to be modded with a pair of pickups to replicate Cobain’s own.  

2. Kurt Cobain’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Fender Mustang – $4,550,000

Apologies if you’re not a fan of Nirvana, but the second spot on the list is also taken by a Kurt Cobain guitar. This Mustang sold for $4,550,000 in 2022 to guitar collector Jim Irsay and was added to The Jim Irsay Collection of historic rock’n’roll memorabilia.  

It’s a model that’s earned its place in the music hall of fame thanks to the role it played in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video. One of the reasons Cobain loved offset guitars was their affordability… if only he saw this one sell for nearly five million!  

The Fender Vintera II ‘70s Mustang gets you pretty close to the iconic Mustang used in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video. With a pair of Single-Coil Mustang pickups, it’s packed with all the bite you need to play like Cobain the proper way – aggressive, fast, and riotous.  

3. David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster – $3,875,000

David Gilmour’s Black Fender Strat has seen decades of gigs and sensational studio recording. First appearing to a crowd of 200,000 at the Bath Festival of Blues in 1970, this beauty stayed with Gilmour all the way to the 2016 Pompeii performance before being sold for $3,875,000 at Christie’s auction of the David Gilmour guitar collection.  

In the summer of ’74, the original white ply pickguard on this Strat was replaced with the black pickguard.

The EMG David Gilmour DG20 pickup set gives you the tools to make similar mods to your own guitar; otherwise, the Fender American Performer in black gives you everything you need right off the bat to match the style of this famous David Gilmour Strat! 

Creative Commons License by Jimmy Baikovicius

4. Eddie Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” Kramer – $3,932,000

As the title suggests, this guitar gets its name from the “Hot for Teacher” music video, where Van Halen can be seen strutting across school desks and soloing. It’s no wonder this rock machine sold for $3,932,000 in 2023.

The EVH 5150 is a stylish shredder that’ll get you pretty close to the tone and feel of Van Halen, although no one can ever truly match up to his playing.  

Custom built by top luthier Paul Unkert, this unique Kramer guitar was completed in 1982 and boasts a bolt-on maple neck, a single Seymour Duncan humbucker, a single volume knob and a Floyd Rose bridge. One of the most noticeable aspects of this guitar is the signature “Frankenstrat”-inspired paint work, a hallmark of Van Halen’s guitars.

5. John Lennon’s “Help!” 12-string Framus Hootenanny – $2,857,500

I’d be shouting for help, too, if I‘d just spent $2,857,500… which is what John Lennon’s Framus 12-string went for at a Julien’s auction in 2024. This guitar was used extensively during the “Help!” recording sessions in the ‘60s and can be heard on the recordings of “Girl” (1965) and “Norwegian Wood” (1965).  

Any instrument used by The Beatles is bound to go for a lot of money, and this one is an artefact that both Lennon and Harrison played. Oddly enough, this guitar was found in an attic after 50 years of being missing.  

While no guitar can capture the magic of The Beatles as well as an original, the Vintage Paul Brett Statesboro delivers stunning shimmering tones while capturing a retro aesthetic with the chrome tailpiece and satin antique burst finish.  

6. Reach Out to Asia Fender Stratocaster – $2,700,000

Placed on auction to raise funds for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Reach Out to Asia Fender Stratocaster successfully raised $2,700,000 – impressive for a Fender Mexican Standard Strat. Unlike the other guitars listed here, this one is special in that it didn’t earn its name from a particular guitarist playing it. Instead, this charitable axe garnered its price from the number of star signatures written on its body.  

Signees include legends like Tony Iommi, Jeff Beck, Sting, Ritchie Blackmore, Keith Richards, Bryan Adams, Ray Davies, Pete Townsend, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Ronnie Wood, Brian May, Def Leppard, Mick Jagger, Angus and Malcolm Young, Eric Clapton, and Liam Gallagher. 

7. Jimi Hendrix 1968 Fender Stratocaster – $2,000,000

Purchased by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2000 for $2,000,000, this iconic Jimi Hendrix Strat is on exhibition at the Seattle Museum of Pop Culture. It’s a guitar that goes hand in hand with Hendrix, who was seen playing it upside down to meet his left-handed needs. 

Given the momentous impact this guitar has left on guitarists the world over, Fender created a signature Jimi Hendrix Strat, providing a way for guitarists to channel their love and admiration for the legend through their own playing. While you might not be playing at Woodstock, there’s always a special place for this understated stunner.

8. Jerry Garcia’s “Wolf” – $1,900,000

Built by luthier Doug Irwin, this beauty earned its name from the wolf inlay below the tailpiece. With a completely new shape, electronic system, and original aesthetic details, it sold for $1,900,000 in 2017 as part of a Grateful Dead auction where proceeds went to the Southern Poverty Law Centre civil rights charity.  

Jerry Garcia described this technical wonder as “12 guitars in one”. His “Wolf” used complex electronics that let him run and switch his effects loop straight from the guitar. With a HHS pickup configuration and two tone controls, nothing stopped Garcia from creating the iconic psychedelic “astral country” blues sound he was cultivating in the early ‘70s.

9. Kurt Cobain’s 1993 Fender Mustang “Sky Stang I” – $1,587,500

Played during Kurt Cobain’s final performance in Munich on the 1st of March, 1994, the “Sky Stang” presented a slightly alternative pickup selection to his other Sky Stangs, with a Seymour Duncan JB humbucker in the bridge and a single-coil pickup in the neck position.  

Originally built in Japan by Fender custom luthier Scott Zimmerman in 1993, this guitar went full circle after Japanese businessman Mitsuru Sato bought it for $1,587,500 in 2023 at Julien’s Auctions, Nashville. Part of the proceeds for this guitar went to “Kicking the Stigma,” raising awareness and fighting stigma surrounding mental health disorders.  

10. Jeff Beck 1954 Less Paul Oxblood – $1,068,500

Fetching a hefty £1,068,500 at auction in London in January 2025, Jeff Beck’s 1954 Gibson Les Paul “Oxblood” stands as a true icon of rock history. Originally a Gold Top, this guitar was later refinished in its now-famous deep Oxblood hue. It’s most notably seen on the cover of Blow by Blow (1975), Beck’s groundbreaking instrumental album produced by George Martin.  

The Oxblood also made an appearance during the encore of David Bowie’s final Ziggy Stardust performance in 1973. With a pre-auction estimate of £300,000 to £500,000, this guitar exceeded expectations, like many other guitars on this list. In celebration of his great legacy, the Epiphone Jeff Beck 1954 Les Paul is a tribute to this guitar.  

11. Eric Clapton’s 1964 “The Fool” Gibson SG – $1,270,000

Featured heavily across Eric Clapton’s Cream career, “The Fool” was sold to Jim Irsay in 2023 for $1,270,000. This SG is possibly the most characterful and colourful guitar on the list, thanks in large part to the painting of art collective The Fool – hence where the name comes from.  

It’s this psychedelic wonder that’s heard on legendary tracks such as “Sunshine of Your Love” and “White Room,” with Clapton describing the tone as sweet and human-like. By 1967, “The Fool” had fallen into a pretty bad state of disrepair, evident from the flaking paint. The headstock soon snapped off altogether.  

Famed producer and musician Todd Rundgren was responsible for restoring the guitar after loaning it from Jackie Lomax for $500. Even after replacing the headstock and the bridge, Rundgren said that playing it always felt too fragile, so much so that it prevented him from using it as his main axe.  

Creative Commons License by Eden, Janine and Jim

12. George Harrison’s Futurama – $1,270,000

George Harrison’s first electric guitar, the Czech-made Resonet Futurama sold for a staggering $1.27 million at Julien’s Auctions in November 2024. Originally purchased for just £58 in 1959 from Frank Hessy’s music shop in Liverpool, this Strat-style guitar was Harrison’s number one long before he ever touched a Fender.  

Sporting a distinctive sunburst finish and three-pickup configuration, the guitar featured heavily in the Beatles’ early gigs, from basement rehearsals to the sweaty, all-night sets at Hamburg’s Kaiserkeller. If not for this guitar, the Beatles we know and love today might not have come to be.  

13. Bob Marley’s Washburn Wing-Series Hawk – $1,200,000 – $2,000,000

While the final sale price remains unverified, Bob Marley’s Washburn Wing-Series Hawk is believed to have gone for somewhere between $1,200,000 and $2,000,000. Marley was known for keeping a tight circle of instruments, reportedly owning only seven in his lifetime. 

In 1979, Marley gifted the Hawk to his guitar tech, Gary Karlson. Following Marley’s death in 1981, the Jamaican government declared the guitar a national treasure, cementing Marley’s place as a global icon even further. 

Creative Commons License by Ueli Frey

14. Duane Allman’s ’57 Gibson Les Paul – $1,250,000

Making up for the lack of Les Pauls on the list is Duane Allman’s ’57 Les Paul, boasting a gold-top finish and a pair of uncovered PAF pickups. This classic beauty was used on the first two Allman Brothers albums – The Allman Brothers Band (1969) and Idlewild South (1970). Allman also used this guitar during the “Layla” recordings with Eric Clapton. 

Following Duane Allman’s passing, his ’57 Goldtop passed a few hands, went on loan to players like Billy Gibbons and Kirk Hammett, and spent some time in The Big House Museum before being sold to a private guitar collector for $1,250,000 in 2019. ’57 Les Pauls continue to be loved today, with models like the Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue giving you access to vintage legends.  

15. Rory Gallagher’s ’61 Fender Stratocaster – £889,400

Originally purchased for £100 in 1963, there’s speculation that this Strat was the first to hit Ireland. Over the years, Rory Gallagher’s ’61 Strat underwent serious ageing and plenty of mods. It sold for £889,400 in 2024 after the Gallagher family put much of his gear up for auction.  

Just one look at the body shows how much this guitar has gone through. Its sunburst finish might as well pass as a natural one, degraded due to being left in a rainy ditch for a few days in 1966 after being stolen. This legendary Strat is now at the National Museum of Ireland.  

Creative Commons License by Heinrich Klaffs

16. David Gilmour’s Martin D-35 – $1,095,000

While David Gilmour’s Black Strat drew the highest bid, his cherished Martin D-35 still fetched a staggering $1,095,000 at a New York auction in 2019. Famously named by Gilmour on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs as the guitar he’d choose if stranded, this 1969 acoustic was by his side for decades. 

From Dark Side of the Moon through to The Final Cut, it was the go-to guitar behind Pink Floyd’s most iconic albums. You’ll hear it most prominently on “Wish You Were Here,” which just so happens to be my favourite Floyd track.

This stunner was sold in support of environmental causes through the charity ClimateEarth. You really can’t go wrong with a Martin; it’s no wonder that the D-35, with its three-piece back and spruce top, remains a trusty companion for many guitarists today.

17. Bob Dylan’s 1964 Fender Stratocaster – $965,000

Bob Dylan’s 1964 Fender Stratocaster made headlines in 2013 when it sold for $965,000 – nearly double its $500k estimate. This Strat is the one Dylan used at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, stirring up a frenzy in the folk world with his electric performance.  

After the performance, Dylan accidentally left it on a private plane, and it remained in the possession of pilot Vic Quinto’s family for nearly 50 years. Complete with its original strap and case, this pre-CBS Strat saw Dylan through one of the most radical moments in his musical career.  

While there’s no shortage of sunburst Strats out there, the Fender Custom Shop ’64 Strat with Journeyman relicing will get you pretty close to the tone and feel of the original that Dylan sported. 

FAQs  

What is the most sold guitar in the world?  

The most sold guitars in the world are the Fender Stratocaster and the Fender Telecaster, particularly the American Professional II series for Strats and the Player series for Teles. According to Reverb’s 2024 statistics, it was these two guitars that sold the most in that year. 

Who is the number one guitar player of all time?  

While the debate over the best guitar player of all time will never truly be resolved, Jimi Hendrix is often lauded as the greatest guitarist ever. Taking the electric guitar into new and exciting sonic territory, it’s no surprise that his Strat made the list among the most expensive guitars ever sold.  

What guitar did Kurt Cobain destroy?  

Kurt Cobain destroyed his black Fender Stratocaster while working on Nevermind in the ’90s. He was known to get pretty aggressive with his guitars, but this one suffered such severe damage that it was declared unplayable. Despite this, it sold for $596,000 at a Julien’s Auction in 2023.  

Final thoughts  

From Kurt Cobain’s $6,000,000 MTV Unplugged Martin D-18 to Rory Gallagher’s $1,000,000 battered Strat, the most expensive guitars ever sold are the ones that have given us decades of revolutionary sound.   

This list shows just how much value a name can add to a guitar, whether it’s the name of the person who owned the guitar or simply a signature written on it. Collectors love a guitar with a rich history and celebrity association. And who knows, one day one of your guitars might sell for a fraction of the fortune that these legends have sold for.