Guitar Journal: $1 Billion Jim Irsay Guitar Collection
Plus, John Lennon Collection and Matt Bellamy's Supermassive Black Fuzz
3,4 / 5,0 | 
This week, we take a look at the Jim Irsay Guitar Collection, which is set to be auctioned and is reportedly worth over $1 billion. Then we check out the new ‘more affordable’ D’Addario John Lennon Collection of guitar accessories. Finally, we check out the new official Matt Bellamy Fuzz from Manson Guitar Works.
Guitar Journal
Jim Irsay Guitar Collection
The Jim Irsay Guitar Collection is going under the hammer at auction via Christie’s Auction House, and it contains many guitars I have written about over the years for Gearnews. The late Jim Irsay spent a considerable amount of money acquiring famous guitars, including the Kurt Cobain Competition Stripe Mustang featured in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video, Eric Clapton’s “The Fool” SG, and David Gilmour’s “Black Strat.”
$1 Billion Guitar Collection?
The guitar collection is reportedly worth $1 billion, and now that the guitars are back up for sale following Irsay’s passing in May 2025, they could generate a substantial amount of money. For example, Gilmour’s 1969 black Fender Stratocaster, known as “The Black Strat,” was sold for $3.975 million by itself.
A Who’s Who of Guitars in The Collection
Guitars known to be in the collection include those owned by famous players such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Prince, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, Eddie Van Halen, Bo Diddley, Janis Joplin, as well as John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, and George Harrison.
If you wish to register your interest and follow the auction, please register below on the Christie’s page set up for the sale. A public display of the guitars will take place before the sale, and the Jim Irsay Collection will be held at Christie’s New York, located at 20 Rockefeller Plaza.
D’Addario John Lennon
It is that time of year once more when D’Addario releases their John Lennon Collection of guitar accessories. This time, the John Lennon Art Series includes a set of plectrums and a guitar strap, all featuring John & Yoko-inspired graphics.
The Collection
The Collection features two unique strap designs and two pick assortments. Both showcase Lennon’s original animal illustrations and drawings inspired by the life and love he shared with Yoko Ono.
John Lennon Art Series
Last year, we saw them release John Lennon plectrums with the design of his guitar strap from the Beatles’ famous rooftop gig at Apple, as well as the Mind Games design.
These plectrums and the strap will retail for between £9.60 for the plectrum sets and £27.50, or £40.50 for the two straps.
Matt Bellamy Fuzz!
Matt Bellamy has a new official pedal, the Supermassive Black Fuzz. It was designed in conjunction with ThorpyFX and is also Manson Guitar Works’ first official pedal.
Crafted from a strong 6082T6 aluminium alloy—not plastic—the high-quality controls are secured with stainless steel grub screws, ensuring both maximum durability and a premium feel.
Supermassive Black Fuzz
The pedal’s control layout is as remarkable as the tones it produces, featuring four unique rotary controls: Magnitude, Warp, Dimension, and Gravity. These are paired with an EQ selector switch and two footswitches. Finally, the pedal includes clear LED indicators to display its power status and the activity of its Peak filter.
The demo below features my mate Jas Morris (think Pound Store James Blunt…, only joking, Jas!) playing some Muse-inspired riffage, and it gives a great example of what to expect from this box of fuzzy goodness!
Limited Run Gold
It comes in two versions: the standard edition, priced at £259, and a limited gold edition with 100 pedals signed by Matt Bellamy, which includes a presentation box containing plectrums and is priced at £359 (which has already sold out). Currently, they are available directly from Manson and select Manson dealers.
This might also interest you
