One of the most iconic guitars in rock history has been sold for $14.55 million, setting a new world record price for a guitar at auction. The instrument is the black Fender Stratocaster known as “The Black Strat,” used by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

The guitar was sold on Thursday through an online auction by Christie’s after 21 minutes of intense bidding, according to the auction house’s representative Angela Montefinise. The buyer remains anonymous.

The amount surpassed the previous record of $6.01 million, set in 2020 for the Martin D-18E used by Kurt Cobain during Nirvana’s historic performance on MTV Unplugged.

The story of the “Black Strat”

David Gilmour bought this particular Stratocaster in 1970 from Manny’s Music. Over the years, the guitar developed visible signs of use — including scratches and worn paint — the result of decades as his main instrument.

The “Black Strat” was used on six albums by Pink Floyd and in many concerts between 1972 and 1983. During this period the British band created some of its most important works, including:

• The Dark Side of the Moon
• Wish You Were Here
• Animals
• The Wall
• The Final Cut

According to Christie’s, Gilmour stopped using the guitar for about two decades, preferring another Stratocaster. He brought it back in 2014 for the recording of Pink Floyd’s final album, The Endless River.

From the collection of Jim Irsay

The guitar came from the collection of billionaire Jim Irsay, former owner of the Indianapolis Colts, who died last year. Irsay was known for his vast collection of pop-culture memorabilia, including items from music legends.

He had purchased the guitar in 2019 at a Christie’s auction for just over $5 million. The auction house has scheduled three more auctions from his collection later this month.