One of rock’s most legendary instruments — the Black Strat once owned and played by David Gilmour — is coming up for auction again as part of one of the most significant collectible guitar sales in history.
The 1969 Fender Stratocaster nicknamed the Black Strat is not just any guitar. Over nearly two decades in Gilmour’s hands, it helped shape some of the most iconic soundscapes in modern music, heard on classic The Dark Side of the Moon, Comfortably Numb, Wish You Were Here and many other legendary Pink Floyd recordings. It became his go-to instrument in the studio and onstage from the 1970s through parts of the 1980s, and even featured on all four of his solo albums.
The Black Strat first made global headlines in 2019 when Gilmour’s personal guitar collection — more than 120 instruments strong — was sold at Christie’s in New York. That auction raised $21.49 million, making it the most valuable musical instrument sale in history at the time. The Black Strat itself fetched $3,975,000, setting a world auction record for any guitar sold publicly.
Now, after years in the hands of collectors, the guitar is returning to the spotlight as part of the Jim Irsay Collection — a massive assemblage of iconic instruments gathered by the late Indianapolis Colts owner and music memorabilia legend. Irsay’s collection includes some of the rarest and most culturally significant guitars ever made, and the Black Strat has long been a standout centerpiece.
The upcoming auction, scheduled to begin in March 2026, will feature around 50 of the most prized items from Irsay’s collection in the first live sale, with the Black Strat expected to be a major highlight once more. A free public exhibition at Christie’s New York will allow fans and collectors to view these historic instruments before they go under the hammer.
Gilmour’s famous Strat was not just a piece of gear — it was integral to the sound and evolution of Pink Floyd. Purchased in 1970 at Manny’s music store in New York, it became closely tied to the band’s most celebrated albums throughout the 1970s, including The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall.
Over the years, the Black Strat underwent numerous modifications to suit Gilmour’s playing style, making it a unique artifact of both technological evolution and artistic expression. Its sound, feel and history helped define some of the most enduring guitar tones in rock music.
The return of the Black Strat to the auction block underscores how historically significant and culturally treasured certain instruments have become. Collectors view such guitars not just as investments, but as tangible pieces of music history — each one carrying the legacy of the artists who played them and the songs they helped create.
As interest in historic instruments continues to skyrocket, the 2026 auction of the Black Strat is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about events in the rock and collectibles world — giving fans and collectors alike another chance to witness the legacy of Gilmour’s beloved guitar up close.
