Rick Nielsen opens more than 300 pieces of his guitar archive for a St. Jude benefit auction

The October sale includes more than 70 guitars, led by a stage-used five-neck Hamer and the 1975 Hamer Standard that helped define Cheap Trick’s image.

Oct 1, 2026

Rick Nielsen's stage-played custom five-neck Hamer guitar offered by Julien's Auctions

Credit: Julien's Auctions (via source)

Rick Nielsen is sending more than 300 pieces from his personal archive to Julien’s Auctions on October 24, live and online from Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. More than 70 guitars are included, with part of the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The headline lot is a Korina five-neck Hamer played from a 2004 Chicago benefit through Cheap Trick’s 2013 Budokan anniversary show. Also offered is Hamer Standard serial 0004, built for Nielsen in 1975 and seen at the band’s 1978 Budokan breakthrough, plus vintage Gibsons, Fenders, stage clothes, handwritten lyrics and other pieces from five decades of collecting.

Why it matters

Few working guitarists built a collection so closely tied to their stage identity. This sale puts several of Nielsen’s defining instruments into public circulation for the first time.

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Also see:Rick Nielsen Electric Guitar Hamer Cheap Trick Rock