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THE GUITAR WORLD PAYS ATTENTION AS MORE HIGHLYCOVETABLE MODELS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE AUCTION BLOCK
2020 has been something of an attention-demanding year for vintage guitar collectors and enthusiasts in general, as numerous iconic models have gone up for auction. As we detailed in last month’s issue, models that previously belonged to some of rock’s biggest names had sold for eye-watering sums.
Notable models include Elvis Presley’s Martin D-18 acoustic, George Harrison’s Bartell fretless electric, Chuck Berry’s Gibson ES-345, Eric Clapton’s 1954 Fender Stratocaster and Prince’s ‘Blue Angel’ Cloud 2 and Custom Shop ‘Goldfinger’ Strat. Continuing on this theme, several other memorable guitars have appeared for sale since our list was compiled.
The ‘Coodercaster’, owned and played by slide guitar master Ry Cooder, has recently appeared for sale on Reverb.com. According to Reverb, this model is the original Coodercaster, which is the adopted name for an entire range of guitars built or modified to emulate the eccentricities of Cooder’s personal instruments. The
Coodercaster in question is said to be one that Ry owned, modified and played himself for decades. At the time of writing, the listing is at a price of £118,156.25.
Elsewhere, a cream-colored and signed Strat, played and smashed by Kurt Cobain in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 30th 1992, recently sold for $153,600. In addition, Cobain’s stage-played and smashed black Fender Strat, used on Nirvana’s In Utero tour and gifted by Cobain to an audience member at the Palais Omnisport de Rennes in France, sold for $128,000.
Furthermore, an EVH Charvel Art Series guitar is being offered with a minimum bid of $30,000 via Nate D. Saunders Auctions, whilst, as reported on Guitarworld.com, Chris Cornell’s Superunknown Jazzmaster recently sold for $125,000 at auction house Gotta Have Rock And Roll, where Eric Clapton’s $1m 1954 Strat failed to attract bids, possibly due to it’s extremely high price tag.
With an entire generation of legendary guitarists nearing retirement, expect to see far more unique and rare models for sale in the coming years.