Julien's Auctions

Latest Updates

Kurt Cobain performs using his Sky Stang I Fender Mustang in December 1993

Kurt Cobain guitars now account for 3 of the top 10 most expensive guitars sold at auction as the ‘Sky Stang I’ Fender Mustang used in Nirvana’s final performance sells for $1.5 million

By Matt Parker published 20 November 23

The value of Kurt Cobain-associated guitar sales on the list now more than doubles that of his nearest competitor, David Gilmour

Five guitars signed during the recent Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts

Guitars signed by Dave Grohl, Nile Rodgers, Brian Johnson, John Paul Jones, Krist Novoselic and more to be auctioned in honor of Taylor Hawkins

By Jackson Maxwell published 3 November 22

Proceeds from the sale of the guitars, which were signed at the recent Hawkins tribute concerts, will go to the late drummer's two favorite charities – Music Support and MusiCares

Don McLean plays the 1969 Martin 00-21 on which he wrote the song Vincent

Don McLean's Vincent Martin 00-21 acoustic guitar is going up for auction

By Jackson Maxwell published 2 November 22

The guitar was also used to record a number of other tracks on the singer-songwriter's most successful album, American Pie

Kurt Cobain (left), his battered 1973 Fender Mustang

Kurt Cobain-signed 1973 Fender Mustang – which he smashed onstage in 1989 – goes up for auction

By Matt Owen published 2 November 22

The signed guitar was later exchanged for a Gibson SG, after Cobain's guitar-smashing antics left him without a guitar to play for Nirvana's gigs

Alex Lifeson partners with Julien's Auctions to sell over 100 items of used guitar gear and Rush memorabilia

By Sam Roche published 15 March 22

Guitars up for sale include Lifeson's “Whitey” Gibson ES-355TD, a 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster and a Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck created specifically for Rush's 40th Anniversary tour

Guitars played by David Gilmour, the Edge, Eddie Van Halen, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton and more rake in huge figures in all-star auction

By Matt Owen published 22 November 21

Clapton's $625,000 Martin D-45 was the highest-selling instrument at Julien’s Auctions mammoth Icons & Idols event, closely followed by The Edge's Gibson Explorer, which went for $437,500

A David Gilmour-owned Fender Strat, Elvis Presley stage-played Martin D-28 and Eddie Van Halen-signed Fender “Frankenstrat” to hit the auction block

By Sam Roche published 28 October 21

The guitars will be listed on November 19 and 20 as part of Julien's Auctions' Icons & Idols: Rock 'N' Roll auction

Julien’s Auctions 'Music Icons' lot, featuring Eddie Van Halen and Prince-played guitars, rakes in nearly $5 million in three days

By Matt Owen published 14 June 21

Prince's Blue Cloud fetches $281,250, while EVH's Charvel Art Series models sell for a total of $210,225

Kurt Cobain’s stage-played DOD Grunge pedal sells at auction for $16,000

By Michael Astley-Brown published 14 June 21

The stompbox was used and abused at a Nirvana show in 1993

Get an exclusive preview of the massive upcoming Gretsch Family Archives auction

By Richard Bienstock published 8 March 21

Dozens of guitars from Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bono and more are on the block at Julien's Auctions

Dozens of guitars from Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bono and more are on the block at mammoth Gretsch Family Archives auction

By Richard Bienstock published 28 January 21

You can also pick up Gretsch prototypes, mandolins, banjos, amps, drums and even factory tools

Eddie Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen of Van Halen perform during "A Different Kind of Truth" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2012 in New York City

Wolfgang Van Halen criticizes EVH guitar auction: "The only place they’d possibly belong is in a museum"

By Richard Bienstock published 7 December 20

Auction house responds to criticisms of the sale, claiming the guitars were consigned weeks before Eddie Van Halen’s death in October

Julien's Live is auctioning two Cobain guitars

Two played-and-smashed Kurt Cobain Strats sell for more than $150,000 at auction

By Richard Bienstock published 4 December 20

The guitars were destroyed at the finale of Nirvana gigs in 1992 and 1994

Hendrix's Band of Gypsys Octavia sold at auction

Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys Octavia pedal sells for $70,400 at auction

By Richard Bienstock published 3 December 20

The guitarist used the Roger Mayer-built effect at the famed 1970 live show at New York City’s Fillmore East

3 Eddie Van Halen guitars sell for $422,000 at auction

By Richard Bienstock published 3 December 20

The Charvel Art Series electric, a red-black-white Kramer built by EVH himself and a Hot for Teacher prop guitar highlighted the event

Two played-and-smashed Kurt Cobain Fender Stratocasters are up for auction

By Richard Bienstock published 2 December 20

The Strats were brought out to be destroyed at the end of gigs by the Nirvana frontman

Icons & Idols Trilogy: Rock ’N’ Roll auction guitars

Prized guitars from Albert King, Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix go under the hammer

By Michael Astley-Brown published 17 November 20

The sale marks the first time any of King and Marley’s guitars have ever gone up for auction

Two guitars customized and played by Eddie Van Halen are headed for auction

By Richard Bienstock published 20 October 20

The guitars, an EVH Charvel Art Series electric and a red-black-white model built by Ed himself, are expected to fetch between $40,000 and $80,000 each

Former Rolling Stones bassist's Bill Wyman's 1969 Fender Mustang bass and 1962 Vox AC-30 Normal amp

Bill Wyman’s Fender Mustang and Vox AC30 set records for most expensive bass and amp sold at auction

By Richard Bienstock published 14 September 20

A Les Paul Gold Top used by late Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones also went for more than $700,000

Julien’s Auctions MusiCares Charity Relief Auction guitars

Signed guitars from Tony Iommi and Robert Plant, Billy Gibbons, Carlos Santana and more highlight MusiCares Charity Relief Auction

By Richard Bienstock published 12 August 20

You can also pick up Willie Nelson and Taylor Swift-signed acoustics, as well as a customized Billie Eilish Fender ukulele