Two Jeff Beck guitars sell for £1m each as musician’s collection raises £8.7m
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A sale of Jeff Beck guitars and other items from his collection have sold for a total of £8.73 million at auction. More than 130 guitars along with amps and pedals from the guitarist’s almost six-decade-long career, went on sale on Thursday, with two of his instruments being bought separately for more than £1 million.
The 1954 Oxblood Gibson Les Paul, which was estimated to make up to £500,000, sold for £ 1.06 million. It was seen on the cover of his 1975 solo album Blow By Blow as well as being used in the supergroup Beck, Bogert And Appice, and at a 1973 appearance with David Bowie.
Beck’s principle performance and recording instrument from 1999 to 2014, a Stratocaster Fender, known as the Anoushka also went for £1 million, after being originally estimated at £20,000 to £30,000. Auction house Christie’s said it was “played hard and suffered badly during Beck’s co-headlining tour with Carlos Santana”, which led to the neck having a small crack down for a few inches, and repaired.
It was also used in the Beck albums Who Else! (1999), You Had It Coming (2000) and Jeff (2003). Beck’s wife, Sandra Beck, said: “I am so happy that Jeff’s guitars have been so popular amongst his fans and friends. Thank you so much for your belief in Jeff’s legacy.”.
The final four lots, which included a guitar signed by Sir Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton and Ronnie Wood at the Beck tribute concert at The Royal Albert Hall, will have their auction proceeds donated to charity Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells, which was supported by Beck, Sandra and their friend, the actor Johnny Depp, who continue to act as patrons to the organisation.
