Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Best free lo-fi plugins
  • Top EQ plugins
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Free music samples
  • Best free music-making software

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

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Total Guitar

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

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

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

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)

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 (opens in new tab) to view the other guitars up for sale.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Martin 2-42 Parlour, circa 1870
Estimate $50,000 - $100,000

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
Estimate $2,500 - $3,500

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
Estimate $3,500 - $5,000

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
Estimate $5,000 - $6,000

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
Estimate $4,000 - $6,000

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
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com (opens in new tab), 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 (opens in new tab).

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
  1. “Magical, tape music instrument” also features effects and a looper
    1
    Chompi is a super-cute sampler that was inspired by the Casio SK-1 and looks like a kid-friendly OP-1
  2. 2
    "With this record, I hope that people can feel my soul and my spirit because, in those solos, that’s what I’m really giving you" – Malina Moye on her new album and the 10 that changed her life
  3. 3
    This video of session dons Dann Huff and Tom Bukovac discussing the greatest guitar tones of all time is a real education
  4. 4
    The Oberheim DMX drum machine is set to ride again as Behringer wheels out its BMX “homage”
  5. 5
    Bruce Foxton of The Jam's 11 career-defining songs: "Start isn’t exactly the same as Taxman... otherwise I’m sure Paul McCartney would have thought about suing us!"
  1. It's going to need a bit of work to get back to its best
    1
    See the moment Joe Bonamassa decides to buy the 'Dirty Burst' 1960 Les Paul that was discovered in the UK
  2. 2
    Max Martin on his approach to songwriting and production: “I’m trying to make every part good… I think every second needs to be awesome”
  3. 3
    This video of session dons Dann Huff and Tom Bukovac discussing the greatest guitar tones of all time is a real education
  4. 4
    Upgrade your guitar playing with a month’s worth of Guitar Tricks lessons for just $1
  5. 5
    The Oberheim DMX drum machine is set to ride again as Behringer wheels out its BMX “homage”

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.