Rick Nielsen Sells Iconic Five-Neck Guitar for Charity
The custom Hamer instrument fetched over $313,000 at a Nashville auction to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Musician Rick Nielsen sold his signature five-neck Hamer guitar for $313,600 during a recent auction event held in Nashville. All proceeds from the sale of the instrument will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Why it matters
This significant donation provides essential funding for pediatric medical research and patient care at St. Jude. The auction event highlights the intersection of music history and high-impact charitable giving.
The iconic five-neck Hamer far exceeded its $175,000 pre-auction estimate. Other instruments sold included a 1975 Hamer Explorer for $256,000 and a 1982 One on One Hamer for $44,800.
The players
Rick Nielsen
He is a renowned musician and guitarist famously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
This is a leading pediatric treatment and research facility focused on catastrophic diseases in children.
Julien's Auctions
This professional auction house specializes in the sale of entertainment memorabilia and high-value instruments.
Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
This Nashville institution honors the musicians and producers behind legendary recordings.
The details
The auction was hosted by Julien's Auctions at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum located at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Multiple additional guitars from the collection were sold, including a 1966 Telecaster and a 1959 Gretsch Duo Jet, contributing to the total event haul.
Timeline
The auction took place in October 2026.
A 1958 Gibson Custom Shop Explorer model was among the items sold.
A 1966 Telecaster was included in the auction inventory.
The 1975 Hamer Explorer model was a stage-played instrument.
A 1982 One on One Hamer was also part of the auction lot.
Market Landscape
This auction follows the 2016 induction of Rick Nielsen into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, reflecting the lasting market value of his personal music history. The high prices commanded by these instruments solidify the status of artist-owned gear within the broader collectibles market.
The sale highlights the significant valuation of vintage and custom-built music gear in the current secondary market. Fans and collectors can track future listings for similar high-value items through specialized auction platforms.
The takeaway
High-profile celebrity auctions serve as a powerful bridge between cultural history and significant philanthropic support. Collectors looking to invest in memorabilia should prioritize items with clear provenance and documented historical stage use.
Further reading
Learn more about local giving initiatives at the Nashville Philanthropy section.
More information
To view upcoming event details or browse the auction lots, visit the official Julien's Auctions website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Guitarworld.
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