David Gilmour's Black Strat

Gilmour bought the guitar at Manny's Music in New York in May 1970 to replace Stratocasters stolen from Pink Floyd's van in New Orleans; originally sunburst, it had been repainted black in the shop. He played it through the 1970s, including on The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall era recordings. It was lent to the Hard Rock Cafe from 1986 and returned in poor condition in 1997, then used again at Live 8 in 2005 and on his later tours. In June 2019 Gilmour sold it at Christie's, with his other guitars, for the environmental law charity ClientEarth; Jim Irsay bought it for $3.975 million. After Irsay's death, Christie's sold his collection in March 2026, and the Black Strat fetched $14.55 million on 12 March, the highest price for any guitar.

1. May 1970

   Bought by David Gilmour at Manny's Music, New YorkB

2. 1986–1997

   On loan to the Hard Rock CafeB

3. June 2019

   Sold at Christie's to Jim Irsay for $3.975 millionB

   Proceeds to ClientEarth.

4. 12 March 2026

   Sold at Christie's in the Jim Irsay Collection for $14.55 millionA

   The highest price paid for a guitar.

Owned by · 1970–2019

David GilmourB

Owned by · 2019–2025

Jim IrsayA

Used by · 1970s

Pink FloydBmedium confidence

Made by · 1969

Fender Musical Instruments CorporationB

Associated with · 2019, 2026

Christie'sA

1. A

   Rolling Stone, 'David Gilmour's "Black Strat" Sells for $14.55 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Guitar Ever Sold' (March 2026)

   ↗ View original record
2. B

   Wikipedia, 'The Black Strat'

   ↗ View original record