David Gilmour to display then auction 120 guitars from his collection for charity

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By ( Prog ) last updated

Pink Floyd's David Gilmour will display his guitar collection at Christie’s in London, Los Angeles and New York before they go under the hammer this summer

David Gilmour with his famous Black Stratocaster (Image credit: Polly Samson)

David Gilmour has announced that he’ll display then auction more than 120 guitars from his personal collection later this year.

The focus on the former Pink Floyd vocalist and guitarist’s collection will be on his Fender models, including Telecasters, Stratocasters, Broadcasters and Esquires.

Among the instruments up for grabs will be Gilmour’s 1969 Black Stratocaster which he played on albums including The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. It’s estimated to sell between $100,000-$150,000.

Gilmour says: “These guitars have been very good to me and many of them have gifted me pieces of music over the years. They have paid for themselves many times over, but it’s now time that they moved on. 

“Guitars were made to be played and it is my wish that wherever they end up, they continue to give their owners the gift of music.”

All proceeds from the sale of the collection will go towards charitable causes, with estimates for the items starting from $300.

Gilmour adds: “By auctioning these guitars I hope that I can give some help where it is really needed and through my charitable foundation do some good in this world. 

They have paid for themselves many times over, but it’s now time that they moved on

David Gilmour

“It will be a wrench to see them go and perhaps one day I’ll have to track one or two of them down and buy them back!”

A tour of the instruments will launch at Christie’s in King Street, London, between March 27-31, where music fans will be able to see the full collection.

A select number of the guitars will then move to Los Angeles on May 7-11, which will then be followed by a sale preview in New York ahead of the auction which will take place between June 14-19.

Christie’s musical instruments specialist Kerry Keane says: “For the last half century, David Gilmour’s guitar work has become part of the soundtrack in our collected popular culture. 

“His solos, both lyrical and layered with colour, are immediately identifiable to critics and pop music fans as readily as the brushstrokes of Monet’s water lilies are to art historians. 

“These instruments are unique in that they are the physical embodiment of David Gilmour’s signature sound throughout his over 50-year career. Like palette and brush, they are the tools of the trade for an iconic rock guitarist.”

Flick through a selection of some of the highlights from the collection below.

Image 1 of 6
The Black Strat
Scott Munro
Scott Munro
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Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.