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Martin 1930 OM-45 Deluxe (Roy Rogers) – US$554,500 -

This rare Martin guitar owned by American singer and actor Roy Rogers was sold in 2009 for over half a million US dollars!

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Gibson 1964 SG Standard (John Lennon, George Harrison) – US$567,500 -

This guitar was played both John Lennon and George Harrison between 1966 and 1969. It was not only used live, but also in the recording sessions of the 'White Album.' It sold at Christie’s Auction House for US$567,500 in 2004 .

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Fender 1965 Stratocaster (Jimi Hendrix) – US$570,000 -

This is the guitar the iconic guitarist famously set on fire during a performance at London's Astoria in 1967. The torched guitar was bought by collector Daniel Boucher in 2008 for £280,000 (which was around US$570,000 at the time).

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Gibson 1961 SG (Duane Allman) – US$591,000 -

This guitar was used on the live recording of 'Statesboro Blues' from Allman Brothers Band's 'At Fillmore East' album. It sold at auction in 2019 for over half a million dollars. 

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Rex Acoustic (Paul McCartney) – US$615,000 -

This was the very first guitar played by Paul McCartney. It was owned by the his former school friend Ian James, who sold it at auction in 2006 for £330,000 (about US$615,000 at the time).

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Fender 1965 Strat ‘Lenny’ (Stevie Ray Vaughan) – US$623,500 -

The blues guitar legend received this guitar as a birthday present from his wife, Lenora. Stevie Ray Vaughan wrote the song 'Lenny' with it. It sold for US$623,500 at auction in 2004.  

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Rickenbacker 1962 425 (George Harrison) – US$657,000 -

This Ricky can be seen during The Beatles’ first appearance on the TV show 'Ready Steady Go!' in 1963. In 2014, it sold for US$657,000 at auction.  

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Martin 1939 000-42 (Eric Clapton) – US$791,500 -

This beautiful pre-war Martin belonged to Eric Clapton. The instrument was sold in 2004 at Christie's Auction House for US$791,500.

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Gibson 1964 ES-335 TDC (Eric Clapton) – US$847,500 -

Also known as the 'Cream guitar,' this instrument was used by Clapton from 1964 until the date it was sold at a charity auction in 2004 for US$847,500.

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Doug Irwin 'Tiger' (Jerry Garcia) – US$957,500 -

This was one of the five guitars custom-designed for Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead by American luthier Doug Irwin. Tiger found a new owner in 2002, who paid US$850,000 at auction (which came at US$957,500 with the added buyer's premium).

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Fender 'Blackie' Stratocaster (Eric Clapton) – US$959,500 -

'Blackie' is arguably Eric Clapton's most iconic guitar. The black Strat was sold at a charity auction for nearly a million. The proceedings went towards Clapton's foundation, Crossroads Center.

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Fender 1964 Stratocaster (Bob Dylan) – US$965,000 -

This is the guitar played by Bob Dylan in his first ever electric show in 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. The guitar fetched US$965,000 at auction back in 2013.

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Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard (Keith Richards) – US$1 million -

This guitar owned by The Rolling Stones' famous guitarist was auctioned off in 2003 and sold for a whopping US$1 million.

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Martin 1969 D-35 (David Gilmour) – US$1.095 million -

David Gilmore used this Martin D-35 (center) extensively throughout his career, including the recording sessions of Pink Floyd's 1973 album 'Dark Side Of The Moon.' It broke the US$1 million mark in 2019.

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Gibson 1957 Les Paul (Duane Allman) – US$1.25 million -

Duane Allman's second entry on this list is all about his '57 Gibson Les Paul gold top, which sold at auction for US$1.25 million in 2019.

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Gibson 1964 'Fool' SG (Eric Clapton) – US$1.27 million -

While 'Blackie' is arguably Clapton's most famous guitar, it certainly isn't his most expensive. The top spot goes to his psychedelic SG, painted by a Dutch art collective named 'The Fool.' In 2023, it was sold to guitar collector Jim Irsay for US$1,270,000.

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Martin 1942 D-18 (Elvis Presley) – US$1.32 million -

The King famously used this guitar in his recording sessions at Sun Studios in Memphis. In 2020, Elvis Presley's "Sun Sessions" Martin sold for US$1,320,000 at auction.

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Fender Skystang I Mustang (Kurt Cobain) – US$1.587 million -

The Nirvana front man used this Japanese Sonic Blue Mustang during the 'In Utero' tour, including his last show. It was bought at auction in 2023 by Japanese businessman Mitsuru Sato for  US$1,587,500.

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Fender 1954 Stratocaster (David Gilmour) – US$1.815 million -

This was the guitar used by David Gilmour in the recording of Pink Floyd's 1979 album 'The Wall.' It was first owned by country star Rex Gallion. The guitar fetched US$1,815,000 in 2019.

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Doug Irwin 'Wolf' (Jerry Garcia) – US$1.9 million -

Jerry Garcia's 'Wolf' guitar is yet another masterpiece made by luthier Doug Irvin. The guitar was bought by then-Hubspot CEO Brian Halligan in 2017. He paid US$1.9 million for it and all proceedings went to Southern Poverty Law Center.

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1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard 'Greeny' (Peter Green/Gary Moore) – US$2 million (or less) -

This 1959 Les Paul was previously owned by Gary Moore and then by Peter Green. In 2014 'Greeny' found its way to Metallica's guitarist Kirk Hammett, who is said to have paid "less than US$2 million" for it. 

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Fender 1968 Stratocaster (Jimi Hendrix) – US$2 million -

Jimi Hendrix played his 1968 Stratocaster called 'Izabella' at the iconic 1969 Woodstock Festival. While it's now on display at a Seattle museum, it was once bought by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for around US$2 million.

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Gibson 1962 J-160E (John Lennon) – US$2.41 million -

John Lennon's iconic acoustic guitar was purchased in 1962 and used in numerous live performances and recording sessions. It sold for US$2.41 million in 2015.

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Fender 'Reach Out To Asia' Stratocaster – US$2.7 million -

This guitar, signed by numerous rock stars, including Brian Adams, was sold at action for US$2.7 million. The proceedings went to the nonprofit Reach Out to Asia to help victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

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Kramer Custom (Eddie Van Halen) – US$3.932 million -

Van Halen fans will remember this guitar from the 'Hot For Teacher' music video. The legendary instrument fetched US$3,932,000 at auction in 2023.

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Fender Black Strat (David Gilmour) – US$3.975 million -

From 2019 to 2022 David Gilmour's 'Black Strat' was the world's most expensive electric guitar. 

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Fender 1969 Mustang (Kurt Cobain) – US$4.6 million -

This is the guitar used by Nirvana's front man in the band's music video of their hit 'Smells Like Teen Spirit.' Kurt Cobain's Fender Mustang sold for US$4,550,00 at auction in 2022.

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Martin 1959 D-18E (Kurt Cobain) – US$6 million -

The guitar Kurt Cobain famously played in Nirvana's 1994 'MTV Unplugged' is (so far) the world's most expensive guitar.

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Martin 1959 D-18E (Kurt Cobain) – US$6 million -

Kurt Cobain's Martin sold at auction for US$6,010,000 in 2020.
Sources: (Livewire) (Guitar.com) (LeftyFretz)
See also: The most expensive paintings ever sold at auction

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