auction

The astonishing collection includes guitars signed by Van Halen and Gene Simmons – and some extremely rare 1950s Fender Strats

The oddball electric – which was used during the Beatles’ early years, and saw action in over 300 historic shows – becomes the most expensive electric guitar formerly owned by a Beatle to sell at auction

The 1956 Strat was snapped in an early Fender ad that featured The Mary Kaye Trio – and helped Kaye’s name become synonymous with the instantly recognizable finish

From his ‘Yardburst’ Les Paul to his ‘Anoushka’ Strat, the auction of Beck's collection celebrates the guitar icon's trailblazing career – with one of his most famous guitars expected to fetch up to $632,000

The eye-popping Sadowsky build starred in the America video and features artwork by reggae musician Wayne Jarrett

Joe Bonamassa, who threw his weight behind the movement to keep the guitar in Ireland, publicly expressed his approval of the decision

The historic Strat – the sale of which attracted the attention of senior members of the Irish government, who hoped to keep the instrument in Gallagher's native country – went under the hammer along with dozens of other guitars from the legendary player's collection

The Vox AC15 Twin, believed to be the unit purchased by Lennon at Liverpool’s Hessy’s Music, is going under the hammer with an auction estimate of $130,000-$260,000

Gallagher's brother, Dónal, recalls the time Rory noticed that the paint on his beloved guitar was chipping away

Cadogan notes how Gallagher managed to create such a distinct sound, even with relatively simple gear, as he tries out the legend's 1963 Gibson Melody Maker