More Than 90 Guitars From Neal Schon’s Collection Sold For $4.2 Million

So Much History

Neal Schon’s massive guitar collection that hit the auction block sold for a total of $4.2 million. The sale happened mere hours before Journey at Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival this past weekend.

“I don’t think there’s any one guitar that defines me — I define myself,” Schon previously said. “Fifty-seven years now. That’s how long I’ve been playing… All these guitars have a story, a history.”

The sale featured two of the most expensive vintage instruments sold in the history of Heritage Auctions: Schon’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard at $350,000 and a Ferrari guitar for $300,000. His modified black 1977 Gibson Les Paul which he used on Journey’s 1981’s album Escape, particularly on the classic hit “Don’t Stop Believin'” sold for $200,000. A 1958 Goldtop and 1960 triple-humbucker-equipped Custom sold for $125,000 and $112,500, respectively. Two ES-335s, a 1959 model and a 1960 model, and a 1951 Butterscotch Blonde Fender Telecaster fetched for $112,500.

“Rock music is a uniquely American art form, and the instruments and artifacts that created its rich history should be protected and preserved,” Indianapolis Colts CEO Jim Irsay said in a statement. “I look forward to sharing this and other pieces of the collection in the hopes that they may educate and inspire others to do great, meaningful things.”