David Gilmour's 'The Black Strat' Guitar Sells for Record $14.55 Million

The iconic Fender Stratocaster used on Pink Floyd albums fetches highest price ever paid for a guitar at auction.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:00pm

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A guitar previously owned by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, known as 'The Black Strat,' has broken records at a Christie's auction, selling for a staggering $14.55 million. The black Fender Stratocaster was used by Gilmour in the recording of several Pink Floyd albums, including 'The Dark Side of the Moon' and 'The Wall,' as well as his solo debut. The sale price surpasses the previous record held by Kurt Cobain's Martin D-180E guitar, which sold for over $6 million in 2020.

Why it matters

The record-breaking sale of Gilmour's iconic 'Black Strat' guitar highlights the enduring legacy and cultural significance of Pink Floyd's music, as well as the growing demand and value of rare and historically significant musical instruments among collectors.

The details

Gilmour's black Fender Stratocaster, known as 'The Black Strat,' was part of a 21-minute online bidding war at the Christie's auction. The guitar was previously purchased by the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay for $5 million in 2019. The latest sale was part of a larger Christie's auction of Irsay's vast memorabilia collection, which also included other record-breaking items such as a guitar used by Kurt Cobain in Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' video, which sold for $6.9 million, and a custom Jerry Garcia-owned guitar known as 'The Tiger,' which brought in $11.56 million.

  • The Christie's auction featuring Gilmour's 'Black Strat' took place on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
  • Gilmour's guitar was previously purchased by Jim Irsay in 2019 for $5 million.

The players

David Gilmour

The legendary guitarist and vocalist of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, known for his iconic guitar work on albums like 'The Dark Side of the Moon' and 'The Wall.'

Christie's

The renowned auction house that facilitated the record-breaking sale of Gilmour's 'Black Strat' guitar.

Jim Irsay

The late owner of the Indianapolis Colts NFL team, who previously purchased Gilmour's 'Black Strat' guitar in 2019 for $5 million.

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The takeaway

The record-breaking sale of David Gilmour's 'Black Strat' guitar underscores the immense value and cultural impact of iconic musical instruments associated with legendary artists and bands. This sale serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Pink Floyd's music and the continued appreciation for rare and historically significant artifacts in the world of music memorabilia.