Ten years ago on this date, a red Gibson SG was sold at auction for $570,000 at auction in New York City. As you can imagine, there was a story behind the value: George Harrison had used it during the recording of The Beatles' Revolver and John Lennon later sued the guitar while recording The White Album. Remarkably, that's far from the most that's ever been paid for a guitar at auction. In fact, seven six-strings have brought in more:
07) "Lenny"...1965 Fender Composite Stratocaster (Stevie Ray Vaughn)
Stevie Ray Vaughn and the equipment he used draws special interest from collector's due to his life being cut short by an unfortunate helicopter accident. His 1965 Fender Stratocaster is notable primarily for being a Christmas gift from his wife, a bit of sentiment that helped make it one of his favorite instruments for playing onstage, behind his head and otherwise. The fact that he named it "Lenny" probably added to the value it brought at auction. FINAL BID: $623,500
06) CF Martin & Co. Acoustic Guitar (Eric Clapton)
An acoustic guitar? We'll allow it considering that owner Eric Clapton was selling the instrument as part of a benefit for his Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, and items put up for for charity are always going to bring in more than they're worth. No word on who spent the money for this hollow-body but they can sleep easy knowing it was for a good cause. FINAL BID: $791,500.
05) 1964 Gibson ES0335 TDC (Eric Clapton)
Clapton, admittedly one of the greatest guitarists in history and a god depending on what graffiti artist you ask, shows up several times on this list. This Gibson from early in Slowhand's career is interesting in that it's a hollow-body electric guitar, a fashion not usually preferred by the guitarist, especially considering that he's preferred Stratocasters since the early '70s. Maybe that was the appeal behind this bad boy. FINAL BID: $847,000.
04) "Blackie"...Custom Fender Stratocaster (Eric Clapton)
One more instrument from Slowhand. When he made the jump to Fender products, he bought six classic Stratocasters. He gave one to each Harrison, Pete Townshend and Steve Winwood and then he took the other three apart and built his famous hybrid strat "Blackie," named after its coat of course. Despite all the history and lore behind this guitar, it still failed to crack the million-dollar mark. FINAL BID: $959,000.
03) Washburn 22-Series Hawk (Bob Marley)
Guitar icons such as Clapton and Jimmy Page are reputed for owning huge collections of the instrument...it's part of the lore. Bob Marley was less a guitar god but still knew his way around six strings, except he only felt the need to own seven of them (still more than us, but we didn't write Exodus). This particular Washburn was bought by the Jamaican government for preservation as a "national asset." The price paid was never made official but sources indicate it cracked seven digits. FINAL BID: $1.2 to $2 million.
02) 1968 Fender Stratocaster (Jimi Hendrix)
There are so many guitars that belonged to Jimi Hendrix, the undisputed king of the electric guitar, that could make millions. One that proved this theory was the 1968 Stratocaster that he played during his Woodstock appearance, one of the most storied gigs in history. Rumor has it that Microsoft's Paul Allen was the buyer. Hendrix was born in Seattle and this guitar is staying there. As a side note, the guitar he burnt during his famed Monterrey Pop Festival appearance only brought in $320,000 at auction. FINAL BID: $2 million.
01) 2005 Fender Stratocaster
A 2005 Fender Stratocaster? What makes an axe so recent the most expensive guitar ever bought? Combine two of the elements we've seen on this list-association with a legendary musician plus a charitable cause-and this instrument can't be beat. The Fender was donated for the Reach Out to Asia, an event raising funds for victims of the tsunami in India and elsewhere. Among the autographs on the guitar: Clapton, Page, Townshend, Jeff Beck, Brian May, David Gilmour, Tony Iommi and Paul McCartney (not to mention noted non-guitarists including Mick Jagger and Sting). FINAL BID: $2.7 million.
