A classic Led Zeppelin guitar, initially offered for free, may fetch up to £50,000 at an upcoming auction.
The 1957 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 guitar once belonging to Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist and founder of the iconic British rock band Led Zeppelin, is set to go under the hammer at Gardiner Houlgate auction in Corsham, Wiltshire on September 9, 2025.
This electric guitar, purchased by Page in Nashville, USA, for around £200 in 1972, gained notoriety when it was given away as a prize in a competition run by the New Musical Express (NME) magazine. The competition, which required entrants to match six famous guitars to their respective players, was won by Charles Reid from Hornsey, North London. Reid kept the guitar until 1990, selling it for £2,000 to Phil O’Donoghue, a member of the 1970s rock band Wild Angels, who retained ownership until his death earlier this year.
The guitar, now being sold by O'Donoghue's family, holds historical significance as one of Page’s notable instruments, favoured for its warm tone and appearance, and has a legacy connected to Led Zeppelin’s early days. The auctioneer, Luke Hobbs, stated that Jimmy Page is a legendary guitarist and rock star, and the guitar's unique backstory as a competition giveaway adds to its allure.
The estimated value for the auction considers its provenance and connection to Page and Led Zeppelin but remains modest compared to some other iconic guitars associated with him, which can fetch millions. However, the historical value of this guitar reflects its association with Jimmy Page, its unique backstory as a competition giveaway, and its desirability among collectors. As a result, it is expected to fetch between £30,000 and £50,000 at the auction.
The auction will also include original copies of NME receipts and correspondence related to the guitar. The magazine's cover featured a photograph of Jimmy Page holding the guitar like a cricket bat, which further adds to its historical significance.
Led Zeppelin's popularity and influence grew to the point that the band was named by Rolling Stone magazine as "the biggest band of the seventies". The band disbanded in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham. Despite this, the guitar remains a cherished piece of rock history, attracting huge interest from collectors, investors, and fans of Led Zeppelin.
[1] The Guardian, "Led Zeppelin guitar up for auction", 2025 [2] NME, "Jimmy Page's guitar up for auction", 2025 [3] BBC News, "Iconic Jimmy Page guitar to be auctioned", 2025 [4] The Telegraph, "Led Zeppelin guitar to be sold at auction", 2025 [5] The Independent, "Jimmy Page's guitar to be auctioned", 2025
- With its connections to Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin, the 1957 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 guitar, now at Gardiner Houlgate auction, is a sought-after gadget for collectors, particularly due to its history as a competition prize and unique backstory.
- As the auction of Jimmy Page's guitar approaches, technology will play a significant role in ensuring bidders can participate remotely, allowing music enthusiasts worldwide to entertain the thought of owning a piece of rock history.
