Jeff Beck was a revolutionary force in the world of guitar, known for his daring and boundary-pushing sound. Born in Surrey, England, in 1944, he first made waves with The Yardbirds. His career was marked by constant reinvention, blending rock, blues, jazz, and avant-garde elements into a singular, innovative style. His groundbreaking albums like Blow by Blow and Wired showcased his mastery of the instrument and cemented his reputation as one of the most influential guitarists in history.
Christie’s will host Jeff Beck: The Guitar Collection on January 22, 2025, in London. This exceptional sale offers over 130 guitars, amps, and personal instruments from Mr. Beck’s nearly six-decade career. His last tour was in 2022 and he passed away at the age of 78 in 2023. The full collection is showcased in London ahead of the auction. The estimates are expected from £100 to £500,000.
The sale is led by one of Mr. Beck’s most iconic guitars – his 1954 ‘Oxblood’ Gibson Les Paul, immortalized on the cover of his groundbreaking 1975 instrumental album Blow by Blow. Another standout is the original ‘Yardburst,’ a circa 1958 Gibson Les Paul that Beck purchased in 1966 while playing with the pioneering British rock band The Yardbirds (estimate: £40,000-60,000).
Additional highlights include the ‘Tele-Gib,’ his 1954 Sunburst Fender Stratocaster, Fender White Stratocasters, and the unique ‘Anoushka,’ all celebrated tools of Mr. Beck’s revolutionary artistry.
“Jeff Beck was a rock pioneer whose influence on his peers was unmatched. From the outset, he was a sonic innovator; a maverick and mercurial virtuoso who blazed the trail for musical genres as diverse as psychedelia, heavy metal and jazz-rock fusion, and who embraced a wide range of influences from the Blues, Rockabilly and Rock ‘n’ Roll to Indian sitar music, Bulgarian Folk, Techno, and Opera. His playing style could not be defined and his magic lay in the balance between the fluidity and aggression of his playing and his technical brilliance, which could swing from furious attack one moment to sheer ethereal beauty in the next. Christie’s is honoured to have been entrusted by Jeff Beck’s family and estate to present his instruments to the world – the guitars through which he shared his emotion and voice – and to pay tribute to his enduring legacy,” Amelia Walker, Christie’s Specialist Head of Private & Iconic Collections, London, said.
Mr. Beck’s fearless experimentation and emotional intensity made his playing a language of its own.
