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A bare-chested Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin performs at Earl's Court, London, in 1975. Guitarist Jimmy Page plays his Gibson Les Paul Standard in the background.
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  1. Guitars
  2. Acoustic Guitars

Russell Crowe is putting a host of rare guitars up for auction

News
By Michael Astley-Brown ( Total Guitar, Guitarist ) published 23 March 2018

1870 Martin, 1955 Gibson ES-150 and ’60s Gretsch models among highlights

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Fun fact: superstar Aussie actor Russell Crowe is actually a bit of a guitar nut, but as part of his upcoming The Art Of Divorce auction, he’s letting go of some of his most prized possessions.

Among the auction highlights are an 1870 Martin parlour acoustic, a 1955 Gibson ES-150 and a pair of Gretsch models from the ’60s, as well as a rare Grammer Johnny Cash acoustic.

All guitars sold are accompanied by a letter from Russell Crowe stating his ownership.

Head on through the gallery for a closer look at these prize picks, and visit Sotheby’s Australia to view the other guitars up for sale.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Martin 2-42 Parlour, circa 1870

Martin 2-42 Parlour, circa 1870

American (New York) made, gloss nitrocellulose finish, solid Adirondack Spruce top, solid Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck with bound ebony fingerboard, 'Style 42' abalone purfling to soundboard, ivory bridge, slotted headstock with Brazilian Rosewood faceplate, hard case with red interior.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Gibson ES-150, 1955

Gibson ES-150, 1955

American made, serial number 53128, nitrocellulose 'Sunburst' finish, hollowbody construction, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and 'Dot' pearl inlays, holly headstock veneer with silkscreened Gibson motif, six chrome plated Gotoh machine heads, height adjustable rosewood bridge with rosewood base, nickel trapeze tailpiece, single P90 pickup, one volume control, one tone control, hard case with gold interior.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Gretsch 6117D Anniversary, 1963

Gretsch 6117D Anniversary, 1963

American made, serial number 56424, maple hollowbody construction, nitrocellulose 'Tobacco Sunburst' finish, two 'F' holes, six chrome plated open gear machine heads, bound maple body and neck, rosewood fingerboard with 'Thumbnail' mother-of-pearl block inlays, black headstock with mother-of-pearl Grestch logo, gold Plexiglass pickguard with Gretsch motif, chrome plated pinned Tune-o-Matic style bridge, Gretsch 'G' tailpiece, two 'Hi-Lo Tron' pickups, one master volume control, two pickup specific volume controls, one tone switch, one pickup switch, original 'salt and pepper' hard case with maroon interior.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Grammer Johnny Cash G50, circa 1960s

Grammer Johnny Cash G50, circa 1960s

American made, serial number 5091, nitrocellulose 'Tobacco Sunburst' finish, bound body, solid spruce top with maple back sides and neck, rosewood fingerboard, six chrome plated machine heads, rosewood bridge, bone nut and saddle, double ply black pickguard, hard case with silver interior.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Gretsch 6192, 1965

Gretsch 6192, 1965

American made, serial number 65034, maple hollowbody construction, nitrocellulose 'Tobacco Sunburst' finish, bound 'F' holes, six gold plated Grover machine heads, bound maple body and neck, ebony fingerboard with 'Thumbnail' mother-of-pearl block inlays, bound headstock with mother-of-pearl Grestch logo, gold Plexiglass pickguard, gold plated pinned Tune-o-Matic style bridge, 'Bigsby B6G' Tremolo, one 'Filtertron' humbucking pickup (bridge), one 'Supertron' humbucking pickup (neck), one master volume control, two pickup specific volume controls, two tone switches, mechanical string mute, snap buttoned padded access panel, hard case with maroon pile interior.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
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Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

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A bare-chested Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin performs at Earl's Court, London, in 1975. Guitarist Jimmy Page plays his Gibson Les Paul Standard in the background.
“An amazing piece of history from the British blues scene”: Robert Plant is selling a trove of gear for charity – including a John Birch-modded ‘62 Stratocaster with two switches that once belonged to Stan Webb of Chicken Shack
Joby Hobbs and Luke Hobbs of Gardiner Houlgate with two five-necked Hutchins guitars
“Hutchins make boutique and retro guitars, often creating instruments that, by Gary’s own admission, ‘should never have been made’”: How many necks are too many necks? Hutchins’ epic five and six-necked electric guitars go up for auction
Eric Clapton sits on a cream sofa and plays one of his new signature Martin acoustics, with the other sitting on a stand beside him
“Over the past three decades, his partnership with Martin has produced some of the most sought-after signature guitars in the company’s history”: Martin recreates Eric Clapton’s MTV Unplugged acoustic for limited edition anniversary run
Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom Ebony
“Your opportunity to own a piece of music history that is directly tied to two of the world’s foremost guitarists”: Gibson unveils Murphy Lab replica of Eric Clapton’s “Disraeli Gears” 1958 Les Paul Custom that he later gifted to Albert Lee
A Foo Fighters Drum Kit
Why are parts of the Melvins’ old touring van being sold for up to $40,000?
Gibson Certified Vintage Programme: 1980s prototypes
“This collection showcases a fascinating era of unique, experimental designs”: Gibson takes its Certified Vintage programme into ‘80s, releasing one-off prototypes including a super-lightweight S-style with a balsa core
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