David Gilmour's guitar fetches $14.5 million, shattering auction record

A 1969 Fender Stratocaster guitar, once owned by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, has shattered auction records, selling for $14.5 million. This marks a dramatic increase from its previous sale price of $3.975 million just seven years ago.

The guitar, a black Fender Stratocaster heavily modified by Gilmour, was a workhorse for the legendary musician. He used it on pivotal Pink Floyd albums and tours, as well as during his solo career. Gilmour himself described it as his "main guitar" in 2018, noting its extensive modifications, including several neck changes, tremolo, electronics, and pickups.

Initially purchased by Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, the guitar was part of a larger collection of 44 items that fetched over $84 million at auction. This sale significantly outpaced the previous record for a guitar, which was Kurt Cobain's Martin acoustic used during Nirvana's "MTV Unplugged" performance, sold for $6.01 million in 2020.

Gilmour acquired the Stratocaster in 1970 as a replacement after Pink Floyd's equipment was stolen during a U.S. tour. The instrument, described as "scratched and worn," has a storied history, including a period on loan to the Hard Rock Cafe and an appearance at the Live 8 concert in 2005. An unnamed buyer acquired it after a 20-minute bidding war.

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It became my main guitar which I used for almost everything, except when there was a reason to want a different sound.