Rock legend Jeff Beck’s guitars up for auction in London

LONDON, 15 NOV – A vast collection of guitars and musical equipment belonging to rock legend Jeff Beck, who passed away last year at the age of 78, will be auctioned in London by Christie’s on 22 January. Some of the instruments played by the celebrated British guitarist over his decades-long career are expected to sell for hundreds of thousands of pounds. Among the most sought-after pieces is the 1954 Gibson Les Paul ‘Oxblood’ guitar pictured on ‘Blow By Blow’, Beck’s 1975 instrumental solo album, and played on several tracks: it is estimated to fetch more than half a million pounds. While a hybrid model, Fender Telecaster and Gibson, made by world-renowned guitar designer Seymour Duncan especially for Beck in 1973, could sell for £150,000. The entire collection comprising 130 objects will be on display for a week at Christie’s London headquarters prior to the auction. The guitarist’s widow, Sandra Beck, said it was painful to part with her husband’s instruments, but that only by selling them can they be “shared, played and loved again”. “These guitars were his great love and after almost two years of their passing it is time to part with them as Jeff desired,” he added. (HANDLE).