Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen Is Auctioning Off Over 300 Items From His Massive Collection
Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen has spent the better part of 60 years assembling one of the most famous instrument collections in rock and roll. Known just as much for his towering wall of checkerboard Hamer guitars and stage antics as his razor-sharp power-pop songwriting, Nielsen has accumulated roughly 800 instruments over the decades.
Now, a slice of that massive musical hoard is heading to the block. Julien’s Auctions in Nashville is hosting a sprawling sale featuring over 300 lots from Nielsen’s personal archives. The auction kicks off on October 24 at 8:00 AM PT.
Inside the Massive Rick Nielsen Collection Auction
While 300 lots sounds like an enormous purge, Nielsen insists it is just the tip of the iceberg. The catalog spans vintage and one-of-a-kind electric guitars, amplifiers, handwritten lyric sheets, set lists, concert posters, studio notes, rare photographs, and stage props. Die-hard fans of the band will also recognize an assortment of Nielsen’s signature colorful sweaters worn during decades of touring and photo sessions.
Among the standout marquee items heading to the auction block:
- Stage Played Custom 2004 Hamer Five Neck Korina Electric Guitar, Natural
- Stage Played 1975 Hamer Standard Electric Guitar
- 1955 Ford Thunderbird and a 1958 Ford Ranchero
- 1989 Custom Rick Nielsen Checker John Deere Tractor with Snowplough
- 1984 Gibson Les Paul XPL Electric Guitar, Sunburst
- Cheap Trick Album Worn Sweater “One on One” with Album Cover and Photo
- Handwritten “Heaven Tonight” Working Lyrics and Studio Notes
- 1982 Cheap Trick “One on One” Album Cover-Worn Vintage Detroit Tigers Baseball Cap
Why Rick Nielsen Is Thinning Out His Herd
As for what drove a lifelong collector to finally let go of some of his prized possessions, Nielsen admits the process started almost by accident. His son Daxx and wife Karen initially contacted Julien’s to handle a small, manageable amount of items. However, when representatives arrived at the house, they were completely overwhelmed.
They were supposed to be there one day and stayed for weeks. The actual president of the company, Darren Julian, even came to the house to look at the collection. As for the timing, the guitarist keeps it light: “Well, my basement was dirty and I needed to clean it up. I use the same old joke, when I die, my wife will sell everything for a dollar, so I better sell it before she sells it.”
Nielsen maintains that parting with the items was a slow emotional climb. Things initially kicked off with posters and sweaters just to test the waters. He noted that collecting things was because he liked it, not because he wanted it as an investment to sell.
From a $65 Gold Top to an 800-Strong Empire
Long before custom multi-neck Hamers became his signature trademark, Nielsen’s collecting habits started with ordinary childhood treasures like coins, stamps, and baseball cards. This habit apparently still pops up, as he noted a recent purchase of a rare Bill Ripken baseball card. His very first serious guitar, a 1955 Gibson Gold Top Les Paul, remains in his possession today. He picked it up in 1965 for $65 at a local Rockford used bookstore called “The A Bookstore” when the instrument was just ten years old.
Today, roughly 70 of his guitars remain on display at the Hard Rock Hotel in Rockford. But even with a massive auction underway, the rest of the 800-strong collection isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
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