The auction will be a monster two day affair on October 18-19, done through Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and online here. The company describes itself as a “world-record breaking auction house”. In a press release, they promise “hundreds of guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals and a collection of rare and iconic recording equipment” will be for sale but only a limited range has been revealed thus far.
These include an original signature model #1 Sadowsky guitar, which went into production while Becker played this prototype extensively on stage, an early example of an Excel model archtop guitar hand built by luthier John D’Angelico, a double cutaway Strat-style Hahn guitar that was one of Becker’s favorite stage instruments, a 1928 Martin 00 size flat top guitar with mahogany body and neck, a herringbone-banded spruce top inlaid with an unusual but likely original pickguard and plenty more. Only a few amplifiers and cabinets have been announced – an early Bogner Ecstacy 100B amplifier head most notably – and no recording equipment. Check out the full list here.
Most of the guitars have estimated values hovering around the $10,000 mark, so start counting your dollars and cents now. A custom MESA/Boogie open back 2X12 speaker cabinet which featured prominently as part of Becker’s onstage rig has a markedly breezier price range of between $500-700 if you’re looking for something more reasonable.
Walter Becker passed away aged 67 on September 3, 2017 after a battle with esophageal cancer. His Steely Dan bandmate Donald Fagen has continued the band.
Steely Dan’s legacy was remarkably wide – did you know ‘Kid Charlemagne’ was sampled by Kanye West? Read about it here.