Buzz
While most lists of renowned musical instruments focus on the musicians who played them, this one stands apart. We’ll explore ten extraordinary instruments that have either fetched record-breaking prices or are regarded as some of the most valuable in existence. The worth of these instruments is deeply intertwined with the fascinating narratives behind them.
In some cases, the instrument is the creation of a legendary craftsman whose techniques remain a mystery. In others, its value is derived from the extraordinary talent of the musician who wielded it. Another factor is rarity, such as being one of the few surviving pieces from a celebrated manufacturer or artisan. Lastly, some instruments captivate with their unbelievable origins, leaving people in awe and eager to witness them firsthand.
This list promises to introduce you to lesser-known treasures. Many of these instruments are obscure to the average person, with their tales often shared only among dedicated enthusiasts of the genres they represent. Let’s uncover the stories behind these ten remarkable instruments, each likely surpassing the value of your current car.
10. Paul McCartney’s Hofner Bass, Valued at $12.6 Million
Paul McCartney’s 1960 Hofner bass stands as one of the most iconic musical instruments ever. This exceptionally rare bass was stolen from McCartney in 1972, leading many to assume it was gone for good. However, in a remarkable twist of fate, it was returned to him in late 2023. Its estimated value is around 10 million British pounds, equivalent to approximately 12.6 million U.S. dollars.
McCartney’s bass was stolen from a van in London’s Notting Hill on October 10, 1972, and passed through multiple hands over the years. The thief sold it to a local pub landlord, and decades later, Cathy Guest, an English mother of two, found it in her attic. Unaware of its legendary history, she researched and discovered it belonged to the Beatles’ legend. Her late husband, Rauidhri Guest, had inherited it years earlier as a 21-year-old film student.
After its return, Hofner confirmed the bass’s authenticity as the one stolen from McCartney. Cathy reportedly received a six-figure reward for her incredible discovery. A team of experts is now assisting McCartney in restoring the bass to its original playable condition.
9. Korg’s PS-3300: The $100,000 Synthesizer
Released in 1977, Korg’s PS-3300 was a high-end musical instrument accessible only to the wealthiest musicians. Over time, it became an extremely rare and sought-after item, with one selling for $100,000 in 2021. Its scarcity and popularity inspired software developers to create virtual synthesizers, like Cherry Audio’s version, which replicates the original Korg PS-3300’s sounds digitally.
The PS-3300 was a massive synthesizer, brimming with advanced features. Its semi-modular design included three standalone synthesizer units, each functioning as a full polyphonic synth. With 12 tunable oscillators, filters, envelopes, and amplifiers per note, all 48 keys could be played at once with distinct articulation. This innovative design allowed musicians to produce complex, dynamic sounds that were revolutionary for their time. Bob Moog, a synthesizer legend, once hailed the PS-3300 as “the ultimate synthesizer for rich, powerful tones.”
Cherry Audio meticulously analyzed the original PS-3300 to develop a virtual version that mirrors its tactile feel and functionality. Their digital adaptation replicates the sound and distinctive characteristics of the original, with each key acting as an independent synthesizer. The virtual PS-3300 boasts 49 keys, each with three oscillators, filters, envelopes, and amplifiers, totaling 147 synth voices. Modern upgrades like MIDI support, built-in effects, and over 360 presets enhance its versatility.
8. The $73,000 Platinum Flute
Crafted by William S. Haynes, this platinum flute ranks among the world’s most luxurious instruments. Priced at $72,799, it rivals the cost of a premium car. The flute’s exquisite design includes a platinum body and a hand-cut headjoint adorned with a 14-karat rose gold lip plate and riser, making it as visually striking as it is expensive.
Manufactured with precision in the United States, the Haynes flute features 14-karat gold tone holes and gold springs on its keys. The blend of platinum and gold may impart unique tonal qualities compared to more affordable professional flutes, which are typically made of silver. Renowned flutists like Sir James Galway have been known to perform on gold flutes, further cementing their elite status.
In May 2019, a well-known YouTube flutist, “katieflute,” shared a video showcasing the William S. Haynes custom handmade flute. As of September 2024, the video has garnered over 250,000 views. At the time of recording, the flute was priced at $84,000, even higher than its current cost. Regardless of the price, owning one of these exquisite flutes is comparable to investing in a luxury vehicle.
7. Joey DeFrancesco’s Priceless Blonde Hammond B3 Organ
Joey DeFrancesco (1971–2022) was a celebrated jazz organist and a virtuoso of the iconic Hammond B3 organ. Born into a family of musicians, his grandfather was Joseph DeFrancesco, and his father was the renowned organist “Papa” John DeFrancesco (1940–2024). Joey collaborated with legends like Miles Davis, David Sanborn, and the Brecker brothers, Randy and Michael, cementing his place in music history.
In 2003, Joey DeFrancesco sold his rare and cherished “blonde” Hammond B3 organ to Geoff Williamson, an Australian buyer, via eBay. The agreement included a unique condition: the organ had to be available for Joey to play during his performances in Australia. In 2019, while headlining the Generations in Jazz festival in Mount Gambier, South Australia, Geoff honored the agreement, bringing “Blondie” out of storage for Joey’s use.
Following Joey DeFrancesco’s passing, the value of his rare blonde Hammond B3 organ is difficult to assess, but it undoubtedly surpasses that of other similar instruments. A four-time Grammy nominee, Joey signed his first recording contract with Columbia Records at just 16. While no footage of him playing the blonde Hammond B3 is available on YouTube, there are exceptional recordings of him mastering a traditional Hammond B3, showcasing his extraordinary talent.
6. The $600,000 Piano from the Movie Casablanca
In 2012, the iconic piano from the 1942 film Casablanca was auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York for $602,500. Although the 58-key piano was projected to fetch up to $1.2 million, its final sale price of $600,000 was still remarkable for a weathered 70-year-old instrument. The seller achieved a significant profit, having acquired the piano for $154,000 in 1988.
This piano is the very one played by Dooley Wilson, who portrayed the character “Sam” in the film. Wilson’s rendition of “As Time Goes By” remains one of the movie’s most iconic moments. The piano, sold to an anonymous bidder, was the centerpiece among over 200 pieces of Hollywood memorabilia at the 2012 auction.
Interestingly, “As Time Goes By” was nearly excluded from the film due to its initial lukewarm reception. Had it been cut, this historic piano might never have gained its legendary status as a cherished artifact of American cinema.
5. Ringo Starr’s Ludwig Drum Kit
Ringo Starr’s Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl drum kit is one of the most prized and rare drum sets globally. In the early 1960s, American-made instruments were scarce and costly in Britain, making them highly desirable among British musicians. Ringo, then using Premier drums, discovered the Ludwig kit in a London music shop and was immediately captivated. After trying it out, he knew he had to own it.
When buying the kit, the store owner attempted to remove the Ludwig logo, but Ringo insisted it remain to highlight its American origin. This decision proved fortuitous for Ludwig, as the logo gained prominence during The Beatles’ performances. The iconic drum set, arguably the most famous in history, became a key part of The Beatles’ identity as they ascended to global stardom.
As The Beatles’ schedule intensified, Ringo acquired more Ludwig kits to meet the demands of live shows, recordings, and films like “A Hard Day’s Night.” Today, his original Ludwig kits are invaluable relics of music history. Extremely rare and highly coveted, they could easily surpass the price of a luxury car, if one ever becomes available for sale.
4. Charlie Parker’s Rare $144,000 Grafton Acrylic Alto Saxophone
On May 15, 1953, a legendary jazz concert took place at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada. This event marked the final performance of the bebop movement’s founding quintet. The group featured jazz giants: Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, Charlie Parker on alto saxophone, Bud Powell on piano, Charles Mingus on bass, and Max Roach on drums.
The concert also gained historical significance because it featured one of the rare recorded instances of Charlie Parker playing a plastic/acrylic saxophone, gifted to him by the Grafton company. Red Rodney, a renowned trumpeter and member of Parker’s Quintet in the early 1950s, recalled that a Grafton representative presented the saxophone to Parker in Detroit, Michigan. Parker later used this instrument during the iconic May 15, 1953, jazz performance.
Today, Charlie Parker’s Grafton saxophone is housed in the American Jazz Museum, located in the 18th and Vine Jazz District of his hometown, Kansas City, Missouri. The museum acquired the saxophone in a 1994 Christie’s auction in London. Emanuel Cleaver II, then-mayor of Kansas City, oversaw the auction remotely with city officials, determined to secure this piece of jazz history. The city won the bid at $144,000, and the saxophone now stands as a centerpiece in the museum, near the very neighborhood where a young Parker honed his craft in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
3. The $15.3 Million Stradivarius Violin Played by Albert Einstein’s Teacher
Items linked to Albert Einstein, the world’s most famous theoretical physicist, often fetch astronomical prices. A Stradivarius violin played by one of Einstein’s teachers is no exception. In 2022, this exceptionally rare violin sold for $15.3 million at auction.
Crafted in 1714 by Antonio Stradivari, the legendary violin maker, this instrument was owned by Toscha Seidel, a Russian-American violin virtuoso. Seidel used it to record the soundtrack for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. More notably, he played this violin during private music lessons with Einstein, adding to its historical and cultural value.
In 1933, Seidel and Einstein performed together in New York at a concert aimed at raising funds for German-Jewish scientists escaping the Nazi regime. The violin, crafted during Stradivari’s “Golden Period,” represents some of his most sought-after and valuable creations. Of the thousands of instruments Stradivari produced, only around 600 survive today, with even fewer from this prestigious era. This renowned Stradivarius was once part of the Munetsugu collection in Japan. While its current owner remains unknown, its ties to Einstein guarantee its lasting legacy.
2. Kurt Cobain’s $6 Million Guitar
Kurt Cobain (1967–1994) remains an iconic figure in music history, celebrated as the frontman and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana. His tragic suicide in April 1994 shocked the world, cementing his status as a cultural legend. Today, it’s rare to find someone unfamiliar with his name, as his influence spans the globe.
During Nirvana’s 1993 performance on MTV Unplugged, Cobain played a 1959 Martin D-18E guitar, now regarded as one of the most famous guitars in history. In June 2020, the guitar sold for over $6 million at auction, setting a record as the most expensive guitar ever sold.
Peter Freedman, founder of Rode Microphones, won the auction. Freedman initially planned to showcase the guitar on a global tour to support and raise funds for the arts community. The extraordinary price paid for the guitar underscores the profound emotional and cultural value of instruments tied to cherished memories. For many, these instruments serve as tangible connections to their musical idols, bridging the gap between the past and the present.
1. The $45 Million Stradivarius Viola
In 2014, Sotheby’s attempted to auction the extraordinarily rare Macdonald Stradivarius viola for $45 million. Crafted in 1701 by Antonio Stradivari, this viola is one of only eleven surviving examples of his work, making it rarer than his famed violins. Despite expectations of a record-breaking sale, the auction received no bids.
The Macdonald viola boasts a rich history. It was played by Peter Schidlof of the Amadeus Quartet until his passing in 1987. Following this, it spent nearly three decades in a vault, emerging as one of the most well-preserved Stradivarius instruments. Its rarity and pristine condition contribute to its immense value, though its steep price deterred buyers. It remains the only Stradivarius viola not owned by a museum or foundation, leaving the possibility of a future sale open.
The unsuccessful auction sparked a thought-provoking debate: Should rare musical instruments be played or preserved? Regular use increases the risk of damage, making it likely that this exceptional viola will eventually find its way into a museum or the collection of a wealthy individual committed to its protection.
