Top 5 Most Expensive Antique Instruments

Occasionally, a musical instrument that represents a piece of history is sold at auction at incredibly high prices. Here are the five most expensive antique instruments ever sold.

When it comes to musical instruments, factors such as the quality, craftsmanship and prestige of the instrument are important to determining price range. Whether you're a full time musician or simply play an instrument in your spare time, you know that some instruments are more or less expensive than others. Some may cost $10 while others cost $1000, but no prices can compare to the five most expensive antique instruments ever sold at auction.

5. Violoncello by Gennaro Gagliano

Before being sold at auction an auction at a staggering $362,500, experts had to conduct several studies to confirm that the violoncello was crafted by Gennaro Gagliano. The piece was crafted in 1765 and sold in 2009.

4. Viola by Gasparo da Salò

Gasparo da Salò, one of the earliest viola manufacturers known, only has 80 works that still exist today. Due to the rarity of Salò's pieces, one of his violas- which was crafted in 1575- was sold at an auction for $542,500 in April of 2010.

3. OM-45 Deluxe Guitar

Once owned by Roy Rogers, the OM-45 Deluxe Guitar was exhibited in a Missouri Museum before it went up for auction and sold for $554,500. Crafted by C.F. Martin and Company in 1930, this guitar only fifteen others of the model were manufactured making the OM-45 Deluxe Guitar truly unique musical instrument.

2. "Blackie"

"Blackie" is a Fender Stratocaster once owned by the legendary Eric Clapton and only three of its kind were crafted in the 1950s. Clapton bought the rare Fender Stratocaster in the 1970s and in 2004, it was sold at $959,000 at an auction held by Christie's.

1. The Hammer Violin

In 1707, an Italian luthier by the name of Antonio Stradivari crafted the Hammer Violin. Stradivari, of course, is the most famous luthier in the world so his violin turned quite a profit at a Christie's auction in 2006. The bidding only lasted five minutes before a Swedish collector bough the Hammer Violin at an impressive $3,544,000.

So, not only does the quality, craftsmanship and prestige factor into a musical instruments price, but the age, rarity and manufacturer also plays a big role in how much an instrument will cost. Some instruments are perfect for playing, while others are incredible, and historical, enough to be standalone works of art.

Visit this website for more information on selling antique goods in Vista.