A rock star puts his collection of 120 guitars up for sale, who is he and why?

The prestigious auction house Christie’s announced that it will be sold on January 31st over 120 guitars and amplifiers from the personal collection of a legendary and already veteran rock musician of international fame.

The collection spans the 50-year career of one of the world’s most influential musicians and features the vast array of guitars used by the star to write, record and perform an extensive catalog of compositions for his celebrated group, as well as numerous solo albums. movie soundtracks.

This is the veteran musician Marco Knopflerthe former leader of the iconic British rock band Dire Straits,

A singer and guitarist, Knopfler is recognized for his distinctive and virtuoso playing style. He claims to have chosen each instrument for its unique sound and tone, bringing together a vast collection that includes iconic and world-renowned names such as Gibson, Fender, Gretsch and Martin along with custom models made by luthiers from around the world.

Among some of the most notable guitars up for auction is a vintage 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, which the musician played in concerts on his 2001 “Sailing To Philadelphia” tour and 2008 “Kill To Get Crimson Tour”, which will be sold for an estimated price of 400 thousand dollars.

The 1958 Gibson ES-335 will also be offered, priced at $100,000.

A passionate collector

“Everywhere I go, I keep crossing the streets to look at the guitars in the windows of music stores. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. I have lived with this love affair for more than sixty years,” said Mark Knopfler, who added that he has “a passion for all kinds of guitars: the ones with impossible dreams and also many of the cheaper ones.”

“Over the years, I have purchased a number of acoustic and electric guitars. Whatever the reason, a collection of beauties soon began to grow, but the time has come to take some of these treasures out of their cases and leave them to Christie’s care to enable May they experience new adventures with their new owners“, concluded the musician.

A charity auction

25% of the total that will be raised in that auction will be divided equally will be donated to the British Red Cross, Tusk and Brave Hearts of the North East.

Likewise, Christie’s revealed that the estimated auction prices will range between 300 and 600 thousand dollars. Highlights of the sale can be seen in an exhibition at Christie’s London headquarters from 19 to 30 January.