guitars

Luxist Phototour: A Look At Eric Clapton's Legendary Guitars Up For Auction

In the last 50 years guitars have made the transition from serviceable musical instruments to works of art. Collectible guitars have become hot items at auction and some have been enshrined at museums around the country. Guitars that have been touched by guitar gods are particularly valued. In the guitar world they don't get much godlier than Eric Clapton. Clapton is a rock icon whose work has stretched decades. Not only is he one of the best, he's played with the best and is forever enshrined as part of the history of rock and roll.

Clapton has auctioned off guitars twice before in service of his other passion, recovery. The upcoming auction at Bonhams, New York on March 9 will benefit The Crossroads Centre, Antigua, the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center he founded in 1998. The sale will feature more than 70 guitars and 70 amps, which have helped create Clapton's legendary sound. Although he has donated guitars before this is the first time that he has brought his historic amplifier collection to auction and even for a non-musician, it's pretty compelling stuff. After all, you can't have Clapton's arena-filling sound without an amp.

Tags: Bonhams, Crossroads, Eric Clapton, Guitars

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Slash To Sell Off Cars, Guitars and More

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

Entertainment memorabilia auction house, Julien's Auctions, is hosting an auction dedicated to the property of legendary guitarist and musician Slash. The sale includes a variety of famous guitars, memorabilia, vehicles and personal furniture and décor from his Hollywood Hills home.

Guitars include a custom Stravinski Fender Stratocaster estimated at $3,000-5,000; a B.C. Rich Red Mockingbird guitar estimated at $2,000-4,000; and two versions of Slash's very own Gibson and Epiphone Slash Les Paul signature model guitars in Tobacco Sunburst estimated at $4,000-6,000.

Tags: guitars, guns n roses, juliens auctions, les paul, slash

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The $85,000 Custom Diamond & Alligator Guitar

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

The $85,000 Custom Diamond & Alligator Guitar

Rock Royalty, a new Nashville-based luxury design house that manufactures one-of-a-kind, custom guitars, is offering the ultimate in rock star decadence: an $85,000 custom alligator skin, diamond and sterling silver Fender Telecaster. The eye-popping instrument comes wrapped in exquisite natural black alligator skin from Louisiana, and features black diamond and sterling silver volume knobs, a selector switch set with rubies, and six handmade diamond tuning keys set in sterling silver. They also have a custom Gibson Les Paul for $125,000, set with almost 50 carats of black and white diamonds if that's too cheap. The company promises never to duplicate a design so that each piece remains totally unique. The Telecaster and Les Paul are two of nine original designs created for the brand's debut; other models come wrapped in stingray skin and various other exotic finishes. The only question is whether to play them or hang them over the fireplace.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Rock Royalty Custom Guitars

Tags: alligator, alligator+guitar, alligatorguitar, custom, diamond, guitars, music, Nashville, Rock Royalty, sterling silver

Rock Gods' Guitars Star in Christie's Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

A killer collection of guitars owned by some of the great rock gods are the starring attraction in Christie's' Rock and Pop Memorabilia sale in London on June 24. While George Harrison's acoustic Yamaha guitar from 1994 signed by the Beatle is the priciest at an estimated $72,000 - $86,000, in aesthetic terms it's the least interesting lot. We much prefer the collection of instruments owned by members of The Who (above), in particular Pete Townshend and John Entwistle. The top pick is a custom made mahogany Gibson SG used by Townshend during the band's 1971 U.S. tour, estimated at $29,000 - $43,000. An newer acoustic guitar of his meanwhile is estimated at $8,500 - $11,500. Entwistle's Peter Cook Custom bass from the 1970s is estimated at $21,500 - $29,000, while his 1962 Fender Precision bass is estimated at $11,500 - $14,500. Eric Clapton's 1996 Fender Stratocaster 50th Anniversary edition with a gold-plated body is pricey at $29,000 - $43,000; much better deals are to be had with Marc Bolan of T.Rex's 1968 Fender Custom Telecaster and an early 1970s Gibson Les Paul owned by the Sex Pistols' Steve Jones, both estimated at $14,500 - $22,000.

Tags: Beatles, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, guitar, guitars, London, Memorabilia, Pete Townshend, rock and roll, The Beatles, The Who

Calder Laptop Cases

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Very simple in design, Calder laptop cases are understated and classic inside and out. Crafted with full-grain leather made by one of England's oldest tanners, the cases also have a hand-laid carbon fiber shell that's amazingly strong while not being too heavy. A silk velvet lining and suspension system protect your laptop from damage in your travels, and the whole setup reminds very much of an instrument case as opposed to a shoulder or tote bag (which is no surprise considering they make guitar and violin cases as well). Available for £2020 through the Bill Amberg store.

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Tags: calder, calder original, calder originals, CalderOriginal, CalderOriginals, case, cases, computer, computers, guitar, guitars, instruments, laptop, leather, violin, violins

Pricey Guitars On Display at Harrods

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Art

Ever since I attended the Dangerous Curves exhibition at the MFA back in 2001, I've had an appreciation for guitars as art. The art of the guitar is getting a new showcase at Harod's department store in London. A huge collection featuring guitars customized for Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones will be displayed at the London store. The Born To Rock exhibit includes over 150 guitars including the oldest electric guitar as well as electric guitars specially commissioned for the exhibition. These guitars, from Philippe Starck, Jennifer Lopez, Bryan Adams, David LaChapelle and many more will be eventually be auctioned off for charity. The guitar shown here titled, London Birth of a Cult, was bedazzled by Dior designer, Hedi Slimane. The exhibitions will be at Harrod's until March 3.

[via Channel 4 News]

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Tags: exhibit, gallery, guitars, harrods, london, music

Fender Guitars Auctioned For Fashion Week Scholarship

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

As part of Los Angeles fashion week, one aspiring designer will be awarded a $20,000 one-year scholarship to attend FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising this fall and to work with fashion designer Kevan Hall. The scholarship will be partially funded through an upcoming auction of one-of-a-kind Fender guitars decorated by guitarist Slash, supermodel Carolyn Murphy, pop star Mya and skater Tony Hawk. The guitars are on display during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios and will be auctioned this spring. The saucy guitar in the center which bears plenty of pictures of women in lingerie and the words "whip me" up one side is bound to be a hot seller.

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Tags: carolyn murphy, fashion week, fender, guitars, los angeles, LosAngeles, mya, slash, tony hawk