Paul McCartney’s bass guitar sells for a record-breaking amount at auction

Virgin Radio

15 Dec 2021, 14:54

One lucky fan walked away with a piece of music history after picking up the instrument for an eye-watering amount of money. 

Paul’s Yamaha BB-1200 bass guitar, which he used in the studio and on tour with Wings, sold for $496,000 (£374,905), breaking the world record for the most expensive bass ever. 

The previous record was held by The Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman’s Fender Mustang bass, which sold for $384,000 (£290,190) in 2020. 

It was all for a good cause though - as the bass was part of a charity auction set up by U2’s The Edge and producer Bob Eszrin for their Music Rising charity. The aim of the auction was to benefit musicians in the Gulf South following the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the industry. 

It wasn’t just the famous Beatle who offloaded some historic pieces, but Elton John, Pearl Jam and Radiohead also donated instruments to the auction, which ended up raising $2million (£1.5m) in total. 

Don’t expect all pieces to be working though, as Eddie Vedder’s Lake Placid Blue Fender Telecaster became the most expensive smashed guitar ever sold at auction. 

He destroyed the instrument while playing a gig, but it still sold for a staggering $266,200 (£201,168). 

According to NME, The Edge said of the event: “We want to thank everyone involved in this amazing auction including the artists who generously gave their personal instruments and the bidders from around the globe who helped us break world records.

“The proceeds Music Rising earned will help bring live music back to life in a part of the country whose musical culture has been hugely influential in the world. 

“We are indebted to all of the supporters of Music Rising who have given us a great opportunity to return to our roots and help those musicians in need.”