The 15 most expensive guitars of all time

Collection of electric guitars and acoustic guitars
(Image credit: Gotta Have Rock and Roll/Christie's/Julien's Auctions/Robert Knight Archive/Redferns)

When it comes to guitar auctions, artist connections rule. The world’s most expensive electric guitars and acoustic guitars have been refinished, refretted, and beaten up, but thanks to their rock star provenance they’re worth more than any mint condition 1959 Gibson Les Paul

The list that follows, containing the most expensive guitars ever sold at auction, is all the evidence you need to prove such a theory. 

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Jenna Scaramanga

Jenna writes for Total Guitar and Guitar World, and is the former classic rock columnist for Guitar Techniques. She studied with Guthrie Govan at BIMM, and has taught guitar for 15 years. She's toured in 10 countries and played on a Top 10 album (in Sweden).

With contributions from
  • Senior Staff Writer, GuitarWorld.com