A Jeff Beck guitar sells for more than 1 million pounds

An auction at Christie's in London of guitars and other musical equipment by legendary British guitarist Jeff Beck raised more than 8.7 million pounds (9.7 million francs), including more than 1.06 million for a single famous 1954 Gibson Les Paul “Oxblood” guitar.

This instrument appears on the cover of the solo album “Blow by blow” (1975) and was used in numerous concerts by Jeff Beck, who died in early 2023. Its price was estimated between 350,000 and 500,000 pounds (between 391,000 and 670,000 francs).

Among the highlight pieces was also a 1990 Fender electric guitar, the main instrument used by Jeff Beck between 1999 and 2014, purchased for a million pounds, with an estimate of between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds.

In total, the sale included more than 130 items, including guitars and amps, used by Jeff Beck “throughout his career which spanned nearly six decades,” according to Christie's. This sale “pays homage to the legacy of a genius, a true rock legend, revered throughout the world,” said Amelia Walker, expert in private and emblematic collections at Christie's in London, quoted in a press release.

“I am so happy that Jeff’s guitars have been so popular among his fans and friends,” responded Sandra Beck, the musician’s widow, quoted in the same press release. Before the sale, she had affirmed the “enormous heartbreak” that the idea of ​​parting with these instruments represented for her. But they must be “shared, played and loved again,” she said.

Born in June 1944, in the suburbs of London, Jeff Beck is considered one of the best guitarists of all time, capable of moving from one style to another: rock, hard rock, blues, jazz. He rose to fame after joining the rock band The Yardbirds in 1965, where he performed with Jimmy Page. The duo carved out their legend with the albums and tracks “Shapes of Things” and “Over Under Sideways Down”.

Jeff Beck's last tour was in 2022. The musician, who died in January 2023 at age 78, won eight Grammy Awards, in recognition of his virtuosity and sense of innovation on the electric guitar.