Articles — guitars

Guitars, despite their wood, metal and wire construction, have always had a human quality to them. Guitarists who hold one in their hands for enough years will tell you that they become extensions of themselves. Rough edges get smoothed. Spots get worn. Belt buckle rash appears. Their wood gets stained with sweat, booze, even blood (just ask Pete Townshend). They've traveled the world. They've been played on countless stages and studios. And so by now they're just about perfect. Any collector will tell you to get one of these well-traveled instruments that was used to create some of their favorite...

There have been some record-setting sales prices set by guitars from famous axe slingers over the years, and the latest involves a black Fender Stratocaster played by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. The Strat, used by Gilmour to record such Floyd classics as "The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973), “Wish You Were Here” (1975), “Animals” (1977) and “The Wall” (1979), sold for a staggering $3,875,000 at an auction held by Christie's in New York City earlier this year. Reportedly it was Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, who purchased the instrument, adding to what is apparently a very impressive collection. ...