aburtch4d ago

David Gilmore’s black Stratocaster used to record ‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ ‘Wish You Were Here,’ ‘Animals,’ and ‘The Wall’ sells for a record $14.5 million dollars.

The previous record for a guitar at auction was $6 million for Kurt Cobain's acoustic guitar played on Nirvana's “MTV Unplugged" appearance.

Gift link, no paywall: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/world/pink-floyd-guitar-gilmour-record-auction.html?unlocked_article_code=1.S1A.szOW.CBisdmEguFl5&smid=url-share

#PinkFloyd #guitar #Stratocaster #Fender

Show threadaburtch

At the same auction, Jerry Garcia's ‘Tiger' guitar sold for $11.5 million.

#GratefulDead #guitar #JerryGarcia

Mar 13 at 8:11pmWeb
Show threadneddyo4d ago
@aburtch I thought it was 9.5?
Show threadaburtch4d ago
@Neddyo I pulled from this article which said $11.5m: https://americansongwriter.com/jerry-garcias-tiger-guitar-sells-for-millions-as-david-gilmours-black-strat-remains-the-most-expensive-ever/
Jerry Garcia’s “Tiger” Guitar Sells for Millions as David Gilmour’s “Black Strat” Remains the Most Expensive Ever

Jerry Garcia’s “Tiger” guitar sold for nearly $12 million, but David Gilmour’s “Black Strat” still holds the record.

American Songwriter
Show threadMatt4d ago
@aburtch @Neddyo $9.5MM bid plus taxes and auction fees
Show threadaburtch4d ago
@Mdphunk @Neddyo Ah, thank you. That's probably what got it up to $11.5m
Show threadneddyo4d ago

@aburtch huh.

Here's video my friend shot of the auction itself. Kind of a fascinating document. If you want to experience what it might be like to spend $9.5M on a guitar

https://youtu.be/06IhZHdalsA?si=S5lmqZ_ydYTI_nHV

Jerry Garcia’s Tiger guitar sells for $9.5 million at auction

YouTube
Show threadaburtch4d ago
@Neddyo Cool! I think @Mdphunk solved it. The bid was $9.5m but after taxes and auction fees it was $11.5m. That makes more sense to me because I'm seeing that "almost $12m" number in a lot of the articles I just searched.
Show threadC.J.H.3 💀🪿🥚🐐4d ago
@aburtch @Neddyo @Mdphunk Sotheby's cut, seller cut, taxes, and (probably some Ticketmaster fees too, right?)
Show threadBlack-Eyed Katydid4d ago
@Neddyo @aburtch so where does Derek fit in?
Show threadBlack-Eyed Katydid4d ago
@Neddyo @aburtch nevermind, I'm caught up now. Rich dude buys collectible guitars and lets friends like Derek play them while advertising whiskey. Better than rich dude locking them up in glass.
Show threadTony Masiello4d ago
@aburtch I got to see both of these along with a huge collection of other memorabilia when Jim Irsay brought his collection to Boston a couple of years ago.
Show threadaburtch4d ago
@tonymasiello I would have loved to see that.
Show threadTony Masiello4d ago

@aburtch Here is the thread from the posts I made at the time...

https://heads.social/@tonymasiello/110725021146714058

The guitars were the centerpiece of his collection, but there was so much more to it especially American history and culture. Jim Irsay seemed very generous in providing access to his collection. Tickets were free, so he toured the collection at his own expense.

Tony Masiello :stealie:☮ (@[email protected])

We went to see the Jim Irsay Collection that was exhibited in Boston last night. Irsay is the billionaire owner of the Indianapolis Colts and an avid collector of cultural memorabilia. Free event and concert, but it was very crowded and involved a lot of queueing. We end up not staying for the concert portion as we could not find seats, but we really went for the memorabilia exhibit and it was stunning. Here are a few pics of the items that were really special to see up close and personal...

Heads