David Gilmour’s Legendary “Black Strat” Shatters World Auction Records
The legendary “Black Strat” belonging to Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour has officially etched its name into history, obliterating previous records during a high-stakes Christie’s auction in New York. On Thursday, the iconic instrument was crowned the most expensive guitar ever sold, a testament to its unparalleled role in shaping the landscape of rock music.
Following a fierce 21-minute bidding war, an anonymous online buyer secured the guitar for a staggering $14.55 million. This figure more than doubles the previous milestone held by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E—the acoustic instrument famously played during the MTV Unplugged sessions—which sold for $6.01 million in 2020.
The Fender Stratocaster is inseparable from the Pink Floyd canon, providing the soulful voice for masterpieces such as 1973’s The Dark Side of the Moon, 1975’s Wish You Were Here, and 1979’s The Wall. Its distinctive tone defines quintessential tracks like “Comfortably Numb,” “Money,” and “Shine on Your Crazy Diamond.” Originally purchased by Gilmour in 1970 from the historic Manny’s Music in Manhattan, the guitar bears the aesthetic battle scars of decades of use, having been his primary studio and stage companion throughout the band’s most prolific era.
The “Black Strat” served as the centerpiece of a larger auction featuring the extensive collection of the late Jim Irsay. The Indianapolis Colts owner and prolific pop-culture collector, who passed away last year, originally acquired the guitar in 2019 for approximately $5 million.
Irsay’s curated vault produced several other eye-popping results on Thursday. Jerry Garcia’s custom “Tiger” guitar commanded a massive $11.56 million, while the blue Fender Mustang wielded by Kurt Cobain in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video fetched $6.9 million, setting a new high-water mark for the grunge icon’s instruments.
The Jim Irsay Collection sale remains open through March 17, offering a trove of rare artifacts. Collectors are currently vying for items ranging from Paul McCartney’s signed Hofner bass and handwritten lyrics for “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” to an Eddie Van Halen “Frankenstrat,” Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves, and Prince’s signature glittering handcuffs used during his Soul Train appearance.
