David Gilmour vs. Jimi Hendrix: Which Legendary Musician Had the More Iconic Stratocaster
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The Fender Stratocaster may be the defining guitar of the rock ‘n’ roll era. Introduced in 1954, the Strat didn’t sell in droves until much later, when it was picked up by the likes of Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Eric Clapton and others. Today, those strummed by the greats can sell for millions. Among the priciest? A black Strat that belonged to Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and a white model played by Jimi Hendrix. Both were originally purchased from Manny’s Music in New York City. Now, decades after aiding star-making solos, they’re collector catnip. Here’s how the two six-strings compare.
MADE IN 1969 More from Robb Report
 | MADE IN 1968  |
A.K.A. The Black Strat | A.K.A. Izabella |
LAST HURRAH “Rattle That Lock” tour in 2015 and 2016 | LAST HURRAH The Open Air Love + Peace Festival in 1970 |
FAMOUS SOLO “Comfortably Numb” from The Wall  | FAMOUS SOLO “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock  |
POP-CULTURE CAMEO Marvel’s Doctor Strange features the Pink Floyd song “Interstellar Overdrive,” so Gilmour invited star | POP-CULTURE CAMEO An episode of The Simpsons features a Woodstock flashback of Hendrix playing |
SOLD FOR $4 million | SOLD FOR $1.8 million |
BUYER In 2019, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.  | BUYER In 1993, Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen.  |
ALBUMS FEATURED ON The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, | ALBUMS FEATURED ON Live at Woodstock |
BUY A REPLICA $5,400 | BUY A REPLICA $6,900 |
MODIFICATIONS Gilmour replaced the tuners, the bridge pickup, the |
MODIFICATIONS Hendrix was a lefty, so he flipped the right-handed
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OTHER RARITIES IN THE OWNER’S COLLECTION The original manuscript of On the Road by Jack | OTHER RARITIES IN THE OWNER’S COLLECTION More than 30 vintage aircraft.
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WHERE IS IT NOW It’s likely in the Pink Floyd flight case that Irsay bought | WHERE IS IT NOW The Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, which |
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