One way to make something super valuable is to slap expensive stones and metals all over it, which is exactly what the designers of this $2 million guitar have done.
Made of 18 karat gold and covered in 400 diamonds, the Gibson SG “Eden of Coronet” is considered the most valuable in the world. Designed by three different groups, it was made as an exhibition piece rather than a usable instrument.
The $2 million guitar wasn’t commissioned by a crazed musician. Instead, it was a collaboration between Gibson, Aaron Shum, Chow Tai Fook, and Mark Lui. Gibson, of course, provided the guitar. Shum and Fook were responsible for the branding and diamond supply. Finally, Lui designed the gaudy but incredibly valuable guitar.
The guitar is a one of one, and took a considerable amount of time to make. Around 68 people worked on the bedazzled instrument, and it took 700 days to complete. For people into super shiny things, it was considered a marvel.
The valuable guitar was displayed in Hall 1 of Baselworld. This was, once upon a time, a showcase of the most extravagant and valuable items around the world. Hall 1 was considered the room for the best of the best. Before Baselworld was cancelled, the guitar stood front and center.
The Value of A Guitar Is In Sound
The reasons guitars are made the shape they are and from the materials chosen are for the sound they produce. Sure, a guitar may be valuable, covered in gold and diamonds, but if it doesn’t play well, it’s worthless.
However, along with the money-men came a designer who cared about the playability of the Gibson. Mark Lui, the diamond guy, considers himself quite the musician, so being able to play it was important. In fact, the guitar made an appearance at a live show.
Jermaine Jackson brought the $2 million guitar onto the stage back in 2015 to play alongside an orchestra, performing at the BBC Proms. Despite the golden guitar being covered in diamonds, it still functioned, and probably looked dazzling.