The winning bid of $6,010,000 at the
Julian's Auctions sale came from Australian businessman and owner of
RØDE Microphones, Peter Freedman.
Freedman plans to take the guitar on a worldwide exhibition tour of galleries and art spaces, putting the proceeds towards the performing arts.
“It’s a big deal. I didn’t even buy it for me,” he told the PA news agency.
“I paid for it but I’m going to use it to highlight the plight of artists worldwide by touring it around, and then I’m going to sell it and use the dough for that as well, later.
“Musicians and artists have supported my family since the ’60s. We’ve been in that game forever so I’ve been very lucky with RØDE and I’ve been able to give away lots of money, quite a few mill.”