A famous Jeff Beck guitar sold for nearly $1.9 million at auction

A London auction of guitars and other musical equipment once owned by legendary British guitarist Jeff Beck has fetched more than 8.7 million pounds (C$14.4 million). The famous 1954 Gibson Les Paul “Oxblood” guitar was sold for more than 1.06 million pounds (CA$1.9 million).

This guitar appeared on the cover of the solo album Blow by blowreleased in 1975, and had been used in numerous concerts by Jeff Beck, who died two years ago.

Its price was estimated at between 350,000 and 500,000 pounds sterling (between 620,000 and 890,000 Canadian dollars), according to the auction house Christie’s, which organized the sale.

Another guitar sold for more than $1 million

Among the highlights was also a 1990 Fender electric guitar, the main instrument used by Jeff Beck from 1999 to 2014. It was purchased for a million pounds (more than $1.7 million CAD), while it was estimated at between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds (between CA$35,000 and $53,000).

This sale pays tribute to the legacy of a genius, a true rock legend, revered around the worldwelcomed, in a press release, Amelia Walker, expert in the private and emblematic collections of Christie’s in London.

I’m so happy that Jeff’s guitars have been so popular among his fans and friendsfor her part reacted Sandra Beck, the musician’s widow, quoted in the same press release.

130 items up for auction

In total, the sale brought together more than 130 objects, including guitars and amplifiers, used by Jeff Beck throughout his career which spanned nearly six decadesaccording to Christie’s.

Born in June 1944 in the suburbs of London, Jeff Beck is considered one of the best guitarists, 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, in which he played with Jimmy Page. The duo has carved out a legend for themselves with the songs Shapes of Things et 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, recognizing his virtuosity and sense of innovation on the electric guitar.

Before the sale, his widow, Sandra Beck, had said the enormous heartbreak what did the idea of ​​parting with these instruments represent for her. But they must be shared, played and loved againshe had indicated.