
What is the value of playing the most expensive guitar in the world?
- The most expensive is a Fender Stratocaster. It fetches $2.7 million, not because it's a classical guitar, but because some of the world's greatest musicians signed it for a worthy cause: raising funds for the victims of the 2004 tsunami. Among those who participated were Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Brian May.
- Another Fender Stratocaster guitar is next in the list. It belonged to none other than Jimi Hendrix, and is worth $2 million. It was the one he played at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
- For Bob Marley, a Washburn Custom was nothing special, even though it was custom-built for him in 1979. He gave it to one of his technicians and it's now worth $1.2 million.
- A third Fender Stratocaster, named Blackie, is the result of three Strats Eric Clapton bought in Texas. He played it for fifteen years and it was then sold for $959,000, which was donated to Crossroads Rehabilitation Center.
- Clapton turns the guitars he plays into gold. A Gibson ES 335 that accompanied him during his early career is now worth $847,000. He played with it with the Bluesbreakers, Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith.
- Also "slow-handed" was a 1939 CF Martin, which he played on his 1990s unplugged album. This acoustic guitar was purchased for $791,000, money also earmarked for Crossroads. But, no matter how much they cost, those in the know will say that, like the Spanish guitar, none exist. However, they don't appear on the list.