As an amateur guitarist who fell in love with music in the 1980s and had the joy of many live concerts including several of Dire Straits, I have long admired Mark Knopfler for his uniquely fluid fingerstyle and evocative songwriting. So when I learned that Christie’s Auction House in London would be selling selections from Knopfler’s personal guitar collection, accumulated over 50 years of music making, I knew I had to see it in person.
Stepping through the hallowed entrance of Christie’s, usually reserved for eminent clients and attendees of high-profile auctions, was an awe-inspiring experience in itself. But nothing could have prepared me for the treasure trove that awaited behind the doors of the saleroom housing Knopfler’s guitars. Nearly 150 iconic instruments lined the walls in elegant display, telling not only the story of Mark’s illustrious career with Dire Straits and as a solo artist, but chronicling the evolution of guitar manufacturing over the past century.
Seeing in reality guitars I had only ever admired in photos or music videos (or odd antique guitar shop) was a thrill that took my breath away.
Many of Knopfler’s well-worn guitars that I’ve seen live or 100s of times in MTV videos are offered with details of when they were put to use on stage or recording. Fancied holding the Les Paul 59 re-issue used for “Money for nothing” iconic opening? Here is the one…
Beyond just windows into Knopfler’s personal musical journey, the collection served as a veritable museum of rare and coveted axes.
From a 1932 Epiphone Zephyr to a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a beautifully aged 1978 Martin D-18, and bespoke acoustics crafted specifically for Knopfler or Electrics by master luthiers like John Suhr and Rudy Pensa, the craftsmanship and stories behind each instrument were dizzying.
While most lots will surely fetch astronomical sums when the gavel falls on January 31st, just having the opportunity to observe (and touch) such rare guitars, handling a Knopfler-played National for myself, was an almost out-of-body experience I’ll never forget.
As both a devoted Dire Straits fan and amateur guitarist, the collection reignited my passion for the instruments and music that have offered me lifelong inspiration.
I may never own anything so prized (said the man with multiple Les Pauls, Fender Strat and Telecaster, PRS and others), but simply visiting the extraordinary archive of Knopfler’s career was deeply gratifying.
The collection stands as a pilgrimage for all guitar enthusiasts and serves as a vivid timeline of popular music’s evolution through one of its most iconic and influential figures.
@abermans You and me were in the High School listening “,we are the sultans of swing,” from Dire Straits first album.Thank you for this post and all the beautyful guitars and good comments
@AdamGT
There were tons of other photos as almost every other guitar got me so excited…but only so much I dare to put on a post here.
I know all you need is one good one but… I have to say I keep swapping my favorite all the time
Good to know you are also a picker!
How rad is this, @abermans , I had no idea that Christie’s put on exhibitions before the auction. On my first visit to London, my wife and I crashed at the flat of a friend who was doing an internship at Christie’s, but we were too naive to GO .
That is an epic collection of guitars. I have a musical family and was sent some updates as the auction was going on. I can’t believe you got to reach out and put your hands on a piece of Rock history … unless you didn’t post the photo of security giving you the business.
If your travels ever bring you to Arizona, I highly recommend a visit to the Musical Instrument Museum. Not only does it feature instruments from nearly every continent, but there are so many items donated by influential musicians from around the world. It’s not as fancy as Christie’s, but neither is Rock & Roll .
I even found a guitar that you and @AdamGT could play together!
@JustJake not a problem putting your hand on the instruments at all.
I only discovered late in life that there is quite a great misconceptions about auctions houses.
If you want to explore art items at leisure and in depth, these are MUCH better place than public museums.
There are less people visiting, more time to check each item, ask questions and get proper answers and get less pain from security closely viewing or touching an item. So as long as you dress smartly, you will be treated (very) well as the assumption you are a potential buyer (or working on behalf of one).
I remember few years back visiting a high end art sale and looking too closely at a small Renoir (Pierre-Auguste) painting which I really liked and the sales manager witnessing my interest, took it off the wall and put it in my hands - I nearly fainted.
Needless to say I was short the ~$50k required to buy it but I watched a young couple with a baby in a buggy buying it an hour later. Guess it hangs in some fancy children room in London and not a museum.
Anyways… Yes, not a problem feeling Mark’s Knopfler guitar - It was the Christies representative that asked if I wanted a photo holding it (he took it)…
As for Vai’s triple neck Jem. Sadly not sold on Vai (I respect but not a style fan) or multi-neck guitars. I bought once a double neck SG (12 and 6 strings) to feel “Stairway to heaven” vibe. They are utterly heavy and uncomfortable instruments and I got rid of it quickly
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