Duane Allman’s 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop was just sold at auction for an astronomical price.
Multiple outlets report that the guitar Allman played on the first two Allman Brothers records as well as in the recording of “Layla” with Derek and the Dominoes was sold for $1.25 million.
“I don’t think anybody expected that,” Museum Director Richard Brent said of the amount. “The history of it is what sold it.”
The guitar was restored by the now-former owner, who purchased it back in 1977, a few years following Allman’s death. It has been on display at the Allman Brothers’ Big House museum in Macon, Georgia.
The out-of-town buyer, who wished to stay anonymous, has agreed to share the instrument with the museum and the guitar will be on display this fall for a few months. “It will be coming back to the Big House in late November. We couldn’t ask for more than that.”
