Elvis Presley’s 1968 Comeback Guitar Heads to Auction With Seven-Figure Estimate
A guitar closely associated with one of the most pivotal moments in Elvis Presley’s career is set to go under the hammer this month, with auction house Sotheby's estimating the instrument could fetch between $1 million and $2 million.
The instrument in question, a Hagstrom Viking II electric guitar, was used by Presley during his 1968 NBC television special, widely referred to as the “Comeback Special.” The broadcast marked a turning point for the artist, reestablishing his presence as a live performer after several years focused primarily on film work. The performance, featuring Presley dressed in a now-iconic black leather outfit, is frequently cited as one of the defining moments in popular music history.
According to Sotheby’s, the Swedish-made semi-hollow-body guitar was used throughout the televised set on songs including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Trouble,” and “Guitar Man.” It also appears in promotional imagery from the following year, most notably on the cover of Presley’s 1969 album Elvis in Memphis, further cementing its association with a key period of artistic reinvention.
Craig Inciardi, a specialist in music and pop culture at Sotheby’s, described the guitar as emblematic of Presley’s return to form. While guitars were always part of Presley’s stage identity, Inciardi noted that this specific instrument became tied to a moment when the performer reconnected with audiences in a more direct and stripped-down setting. The 1968 special, which emphasized live performance over cinematic production, played a significant role in reshaping public perception of Presley during a transitional phase in his career.
The guitar’s history includes a notable origin story tied to the production of the broadcast. Presley had initially planned to use a different instrument, but producers, including director Steve Binder and producer Bones Howe, opted for a visual change that better matched the set design. They arranged for Presley to use the Hagstrom guitar belonging to session musician Al Casey. The instrument was used exclusively for that performance, making it a rare artifact in Presley’s catalog, which otherwise featured primarily acoustic guitars.
After the broadcast, the guitar passed through several private collections and was publicly exhibited between 1998 and 2000 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Its limited use and strong visual association with the 1968 special have contributed to its high valuation.
Bidding for the instrument will open online on April 9 and close on April 23. Before the sale, the guitar will be displayed at Sotheby’s New York galleries from April 13 through April 20, offering collectors and the public an opportunity to view the piece in person.
The auction arrives amid continued strong demand for historically significant guitars. Recent sales have underscored the high end of the market, including the sale of David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster for $14.55 million and Jerry Garcia’s “Tiger” guitar for $11.56 million, both of which exceeded pre-sale estimates. Those instruments were part of the Jim Irsay Collection and now rank among the most expensive guitars ever sold.
Sotheby’s has indicated that interest in the piece is already strong, suggesting the final sale price could surpass initial projections.
