Famous British guitarist, Mark Knopfler revealed that he wants his guitars to explore new adventures with other people as he will be selling more than 120 guitars and amps spanning his five-decade career at an auction next year. Knopfler, who is a prominent name of the Dire Straits which is one of the the biggest bands in the world will be selling his instruments at Christie’s in London in January, with 25% of the proceeds going to charity. It is expected that the value of the guitar will range from £300 to £500,000.
According to Christie’s, the standout item in the auction is Knopfler’s 1959 vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard. This particular guitar was utilized during his Sailing to Philadelphia tour in 2001 and the Kill to Get Crimson tour in 2008.
Meanwhile, the instruments of Mark Knopfler’s instrument are described as a “true collector’s instrument, with a beautifully faded cherry-red sunburst finish”.
Some of the items that will be auctioned are 1983 Les Paul which was used by the guitarist to record two of the best-known songs of Dire Straits including Money for Nothing and Brothers in Arms.
Additionally, he played this guitar on stage at Live Aid in 1985 when Sting provided vocals for “Money for Nothing.” The estimated value of this instrument is between £10,000 and £15,000.
The singer-songwriter mentioned that no matter where he travels, he continues to cross streets to admire guitars displayed in the windows of music shops, a habit he developed during his upbringing in the north-east of England.
The guitarist said that he had done it ever since he was a little kid. He also added that he has lived with his love affair for over 60 years.
Adding more, Knopfler said that this is the time when he is set to take his guitars out of their cases and leave them in the care of Christie’s to allow them to have new adventures with new owners.
Born in UK’s Glasgow, Knopfler, 74, moved to Blyth in Northumberland when he was a child. The guitarist during an interview with BBC said that he went to grammar school in Newcastle and would spend hours gazing at the displays in JG Windows in the city’s Central Arcade.
During the BBC interview, the guitarist said that he still remembers the very first time when he plucked up enough courage to pick one off the wall, with trembling fingers. Telling more about the situation, Mark said that it was a Spanish Guitar and one of the Geordies in the shop said if Knopfler dropped the guitar, then he had to bear the consequences.
Adding more, the guitarist said that even though at that time he didn’t know how to play the guitar, he was desperate to have the instrument in his hands.
