Guitars owned by Massive Attack musician fetch £20k

A collection of guitars, amplifiers and keyboards owned by the late Massive Attack guitarist Angelo Bruschini have sold for more than £20,000 at auction.

The Bristol-born guitarist died of cancer in October 2023 and the auction was held by his family at Gardiner Houlgate auctioneers in Corsham, Wiltshire.

"We hold four of these specialist guitar auctions a year and this was our largest to date with 1,879 lots offered in total and 90% sold," said Luke Hobbs, head of the guitar department at Gardiner Houlgate.

The auction also featured items owned by members of bands such as Ultravox and Status Quo.

Bruschini played in several bands including Blue Aeroplanes and his work featured heavily on Massive Attack's 1998 Mercury-nominated album Mezzanine.

"The standout item from his collection was a 1968 Fender Telecaster Thinline that was used throughout his career and on the recording of Mezzanine," said Mr Hobbs.

"It can clearly be heard at the end of the track Angel."

That particular guitar sold for a total of £4,550.

The auction attracted international attention with collectors, musicians and fans bidding from the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

"The sale was a great success, showing a buoyant market and the popularity of these instruments," said Mr Hobbs.