Blues Rock legend’s guitar sells for $550,000 at auction

Lonnie Mack’s legendary 1958 Gibson Flying V guitar, known as “Number 7,” has sold for $550,000 at Heritage Auctions.

The guitar, which Mack played throughout his influential career, was sold alongside his 1962 Magnatone Custom 440 amplifier during Heritage’s October 15 Vintage Guitars and Musical Instruments auction. The lot also included Mack’s recognizable stage strap.

Mack’s Flying V became one of the most recognizable instruments in blues rock history. The guitarist used “Number 7” throughout decades of recordings, live performances, and international tours, helping establish his distinctive sound that combined blues, rock, country, and soul.

A pioneer of blues rock guitar, Mack helped shape the direction of electric guitar playing in the 1960s. His instrumental hits “Memphis” and “Wham!” showcased his aggressive picking style and influenced generations of guitarists who followed.

The Flying V was closely associated with Mack throughout his career, appearing on album covers and becoming a familiar sight during his live performances.

The Flying V was one of the auction’s biggest sales, second only to a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst that fetched $781,250. The Les Paul established a world auction record for a vintage guitar without celebrity provenance, surpassing the previous record of $611,000.

“To offer both this Les Paul and Lonnie Mack’s ‘Number 7’ in the same auction was extraordinary,” said Aaron Piscopo, Director of Vintage Guitars & Musical Instruments at Heritage Auctions. “One is a remarkably preserved example of Gibson’s Golden Era craftsmanship; the other helped shape the sound of modern electric guitar. Together, their results demonstrate the depth of collecting interest in great instruments and the musical history they carry.”

In total, the auction generated $2.15 million across 201 lots and attracted 848 international bidders.

Mack, who died in 2016 at the age of 74, remains an influential figure in the development of blues rock guitar. His combination of blues phrasing, rock and roll energy, and country-influenced picking helped establish a style that would influence generations of guitarists.

The $550,000 sale ensures that one of the most recognizable guitars in blues rock history remains a highly valued piece of music history.