Legendary slide guitarist Duane Allman’s 1961/1962 Gibson SG went under the hammer last week at Heritage Auctions, fetching $591,000, making it one of the most valuable electric guitars ever sold.

The guitar was used on The Allman Brothers Band’s critically-acclaimed live album At Fillmore East, most notably on the opening track, Statesboro Blues.

After the death of Allman the guitar was acquired by former member of The Hollies, Graham Nash, famed for his time as part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash bought the guitar after Fred Walecki, the owner of the guitar store in possession of the instrument, made him aware that the instrument was available.


Prior to the sale, Nash had this to say about the guitar:”This is the famous From One Brother to Another guitar, traded between Dickey Betts and Duane on all their live shows, [like at] the Beacon Theatre in New York. This is a very special guitar. Duane was obviously one of the great guitar players in the world. To be able hold his guitar and humbly play A minor, that’s about the best I can do. I don’t want to play slide. Who would want to do that? This a great guitar.”

Graham Nash’s other beloved guitar, his 1969 Martin D-45, also fetched a high price at the same auction, achieving $162,500. The guitar was played by Nash at the infamous Woodstock festival.

Other notable sales include Johnny Cash’s 1937 Martin 000-28 which sold for £32,500 and Stephen Stills’ Gretsch 6120 which was used during his time in Buffalo Springfield.