Yes, the 1964 Fender Stratocaster guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix that was featured on an episode of Pawn Stars sold for $325,000 at auction in 2020. The guitar had originally been part of a private collection and was never played by Hendrix himself. It was described as being in excellent condition with very few signs of wear and tear.
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History of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar at Pawn Stars
In early 2019, the famed guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix made its way to Pawn Stars. The 1965 Fender Stratocaster had been in a local family’s possession for over 50 years before they decided to try their luck at selling it on the famous show.
The original owner of the instrument was a former airline pilot and the younger brother of Hendrix’s road manager at the time. He bought the guitar for $200 from Jimi back in 1966 and he held onto it until 2019, when he brought it into Rick Harrison’s Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. When Rick evaluated the guitar, he was very impressed with its condition despite being over five decades old.
Rick offered $175,000 for it on-air but unfortunately no deal could be reached between him and the seller. Even though this particular piece did not make any money for anyone involved, it still serves as an important reminder of just how much legacy Jimi Hendrix has left behind with his legendary music and unique style of playing that still resonates with many today.
The Selling Price of the Guitar
Pawn Stars is a reality show that follows the Harrisons, an entrepreneurial family based in Las Vegas. In one episode, they had the opportunity to buy a guitar owned by legendary musician Jimi Hendrix. The viewers were curious if the item ever sold and at what price.
It turns out that the Jimi Hendrix guitar did end up selling to another customer for a hefty sum of $280,000. This was made public on social media as well as several other outlets. This particular sale set a record for being one of the most expensive pieces of music memorabilia ever sold.
The instrument itself was first given to Hendrix’s drummer Mitch Mitchell and had been kept in his family until it appeared on Pawn Stars in 2019. It was already quite valuable due to its historical significance but this price took everyone by surprise. Its owners definitely earned their money’s worth when it was all said and done.
Reaction from Fans and Collectors
As news spread of the potential sale of the original Jimi Hendrix guitar from Pawn Stars, excitement grew among fans and collectors. With its notable star-shaped sound holes and electric blue color, it was no surprise that demand for this unique piece of history became high.
The show’s regular guests who were present when the pawn shop owner Rick Harrison looked at the guitar remarked on how it had been kept in pristine condition despite being decades old. Many were eager to see if a deal could be struck between Mr. Harrison and the seller.
Collectors around the world waited with baited breath as they hoped to be able to add this iconic instrument to their collections – though few held out much hope given its incredibly high value. They all agreed that whoever would eventually acquire it would not only get a valuable collectible, but also an irreplaceable part of music history that could never be replaced or replicated.
What Happened to the Guitar Afterwards?
After the famed guitar of Jimi Hendrix was purchased on the hit show Pawn Stars, it created a huge buzz in the music world. After being thoroughly examined and authenticated by top experts in the industry, it was proven to be an original 1960s-era instrument crafted for Hendrix himself. The episode captured one of the most unique musical relics ever seen on television and viewers were eager to know what would happen to such a precious piece of rock n’ roll history.
The new owner immediately put the iconic guitar up for auction, where bids from all over surged into five figures and eventually ended at $217,000 US dollars. This figure shattered expectations as fans worldwide rejoiced that this cultural symbol had been saved from obscurity for many generations to come. Its sale price granted an impressive return on investment for its buyer which no doubt made them proud owners of one of the biggest pieces of music memorabilia available today.
With so much love surrounding this relic, several respected organizations stepped forward wanting to use it as part of their respective collections or exhibits. Ultimately it landed in one such display and can now be found at Seattle’s Museum Of Pop Culture (formerly EMP), where they pay tribute not only to Hendrix himself but also his incredible legacy within popular culture. For fans around the globe, they can now visit this showcase and marvel at this amazing piece themselves.
Memorabilia Market for Music Legends
The music memorabilia market is a growing industry, with many fans eager to acquire rare artifacts from their favorite artists. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the case of Jimi Hendrix, whose guitar was recently featured on Pawn Stars. Since then, interest in items associated with Hendrix has skyrocketed among collectors and connoisseurs alike.
As one might expect, Hendrix memorabilia commands top dollar in today’s marketplace. The best examples can fetch tens of thousands of dollars depending on the item’s condition and provenance. In fact, such pieces are now sought after by private collectors as well as corporate entities like museums and galleries who are keen to add unique works to their archives.
However it should be noted that there are various counterfeit pieces masquerading as genuine merchandise floating around the secondary market. So when looking for authentic items related to Jimi Hendrix or any other iconic musicians for that matter, it pays to do your research before investing large amounts of money into purchasing them.
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