Jimi Hendrix's Japanese sunburst electric guitar has sold for more than £160,000 ($209,000) at auction.

The late music icon - who chocked on his own vomit and died at the age of just 27 in September 1970, and was one of the first rock stars to join the famous cult 27 club - used the popular instrument after being discharged from the army in 1962 and when he performed for acts including the Isley Brothers.

The classic piece went under the hammer at GWS Auctions and was only expected to fetch £38,000 ($50,000), but it sold for £138,000 ( $180,000), plus fees, meaning the total spent on the sought-after instrument by the winning bidder was £165,000 ( $216,000).

As per the description of the guitar on GWS' website, Hendrix used the instrument when he "played on the Chitlin’ Circuit with the likes of Wilson Pickett, Slim Harpo, Sam Cooke, Ike and Tina Turner and Jackie Wilson before moving to Harlem, New York in early 1964."

Hendrix's friend Mike Quashie - who influenced the 'Purple Haze' rocker's music - signed a letter confirming the electric sunburst belonged to the rock legend before his passing last year.

The listing stated that the guitar is “in well-loved condition” and was “keep it in its original state” without any strings on it.

The Hendrix sale comes just two months after Kurt Cobain's acoustic guitar from Nirvana's iconic 1993 'MTV Unplugged in New York' performance sold for a record-breaking $6 million (£4.85 million) at auction.

The 1959 Martin D-18E - which was often out of tune - was expected to fetch between $1million (£810,835) and $2 million (£1.62 million) at the online 'Music Icons' sale hosted by Julien's Auctions, but it ended up breaking the record for the most expensive guitar ever.

The priceless instrument - which was bought by an Australian businessman - succeeded the black Stratocaster owned by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, which sold for $3.95 million in 2019, as the most expensive guitar.

On March 9, Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings proudly release Both Sides of the Sky, a dynamic new Jimi Hendrix album featuring 13 studio recordings made between 1968 and 1970—10 of which have never before been released. The album will be released on multiple formats including CD, digital, and as a 180 gram audiophile vinyl 2LP.

Both Sides of the Sky is the third volume in a trilogy of albums intended to present the best and most significant unissued studio recordings remaining in the music legend’s archive. This third release is anticipated to complete the spectacular recording event in epic fashion. “Since Experience Hendrix began its restoration of the Jimi Hendrix music catalog in 1997, our goal has been to present these important recordings to Jimi’s fans in the best possible quality. We are excited about achieving that. We’ve also been intent on generating album releases which present this amazing music in its proper context,” explains John McDermott, one of the album’s co-producers, together with Janie Hendrix and Eddie Kramer.

Pre-Order the New Album 'Both Sides of the Sky'

TRACK LIST:
1. Mannish Boy* – The first ever studio session by the group Hendrix would christen as his Band Of Gypsys. Hendrix, Cox & Miles shared a love for the blues as this driving, uptempo reworking of “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters makes clear.
2. Lover Man* – Just two weeks before their triumphant New Year’s concerts at the Fillmore East in NYC [yielding both 1970’s Band Of Gypsys and 2016’s sequel Machine Gun], Hendrix gathered with Cox and Miles to cut this dynamic rendition of what had become a favorite concert staple.
3. Hear My Train A Comin’* – this version hails from April 1969 and features the original Jimi Hendrix Experience (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell) in their penultimate recording session. They recorded the song live in the studio and tore into it with savage fury.
4. Stepping Stone* – A totally unique take on this Hendrix favorite, with Jimi showcasing both blues and country styled licks atop a relentless, galloping beat.
5. $20 Fine* -Stephen Stills joined Jimi, Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles Express keyboardist Duane Hitchings at this September 1969 session. With Stephen handling lead vocals and organ, Jimi added multiple guitar parts to this rollicking Stills original.
6. Power Of Soul – This 1970 studio session came three weeks after the Band Of Gypsys concerts at the Fillmore East. While a live version remains one of the highpoints of Band Of Gypsys, Jimi never released a studio version during his lifetime. For this album, we present the mix that Hendrix and Kramer prepared of the complete song at Electric Lady on August 22, 1970.
7. Jungle* – The influence of Curtis Mayfield can be heard here as Jimi expands on the “Villanova Junction Blues” theme he made famous by its inclusion in the 1970 Woodstock documentary.
8. Things I Used To Do – Jimi is joined for this rendition of Guitar Slim’s blues classic by Johnny Winter. Jimi’s trademark guitar work and Winter’s deft slide playing weaves in and around the foundation set by bassist Billy Cox and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young drummer Dallas Taylor.
9. Georgia Blues – Jimi reunited with some old friends from his pre-Experience days. Lonnie Youngblood, with whom Hendrix played in R&B groups like Curtis Knight & The Squires, voiced this superb twelve bar blues neatly underpinned by Hendrix’s sublime rhythm and lead guitar work.
10. Sweet Angel* – With Axis: Bold As Love only just released, Jimi immediately turned his focus to recording what would become Electric Ladyland. This gorgeous, instrumental reading of “Angel,”, features Jimi on guitar, bass and vibraphone joined by Mitch Mitchell.
11. Woodstock* – Stephen Stills came to this session fresh from having visited Joni Mitchell, who had a new song that Stills was excited to try and record. Long before CSNY’s version, Stephen, Jimi and Buddy Miles recorded this amazing rendition.
12. Send My Love To Linda* – A superb new Hendrix original composition recorded with Cox and Miles in the aftermath of their successful Band Of Gypsys performances at the Fillmore East.
13. Cherokee Mist* – Together with drummer Mitch Mitchell, Jimi created this moody, evocative original complete with his playing of a sitar to complement his traditional electric guitar.

Pre-Order the New Album 'Both Sides of the Sky'

*previously unreleased

On March 9, Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings proudly release Both Sides of the Sky, a dynamic new Jimi Hendrix album featuring 13 studio recordings made between 1968 and 1970—10 of which have never before been released. The album will be released on multiple formats including CD, digital, and as a 180 gram audiophile vinyl 2LP.

Both Sides of the Sky is the third volume in a trilogy of albums intended to present the best and most significant unissued studio recordings remaining in the music legend’s archive. This third release is anticipated to complete the spectacular recording event in epic fashion. “Since Experience Hendrix began its restoration of the Jimi Hendrix music catalog in 1997, our goal has been to present these important recordings to Jimi’s fans in the best possible quality. We are excited about achieving that. We’ve also been intent on generating album releases which present this amazing music in its proper context,” explains John McDermott, one of the album’s co-producers, together with Janie Hendrix and Eddie Kramer.

Pre-Order the New Album 'Both Sides of the Sky'

TRACK LIST:
1. Mannish Boy* – The first ever studio session by the group Hendrix would christen as his Band Of Gypsys. Hendrix, Cox & Miles shared a love for the blues as this driving, uptempo reworking of “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters makes clear.
2. Lover Man* – Just two weeks before their triumphant New Year’s concerts at the Fillmore East in NYC [yielding both 1970’s Band Of Gypsys and 2016’s sequel Machine Gun], Hendrix gathered with Cox and Miles to cut this dynamic rendition of what had become a favorite concert staple.
3. Hear My Train A Comin’* – this version hails from April 1969 and features the original Jimi Hendrix Experience (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell) in their penultimate recording session. They recorded the song live in the studio and tore into it with savage fury.
4. Stepping Stone* – A totally unique take on this Hendrix favorite, with Jimi showcasing both blues and country styled licks atop a relentless, galloping beat.
5. $20 Fine* -Stephen Stills joined Jimi, Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles Express keyboardist Duane Hitchings at this September 1969 session. With Stephen handling lead vocals and organ, Jimi added multiple guitar parts to this rollicking Stills original.
6. Power Of Soul – This 1970 studio session came three weeks after the Band Of Gypsys concerts at the Fillmore East. While a live version remains one of the highpoints of Band Of Gypsys, Jimi never released a studio version during his lifetime. For this album, we present the mix that Hendrix and Kramer prepared of the complete song at Electric Lady on August 22, 1970.
7. Jungle* – The influence of Curtis Mayfield can be heard here as Jimi expands on the “Villanova Junction Blues” theme he made famous by its inclusion in the 1970 Woodstock documentary.
8. Things I Used To Do – Jimi is joined for this rendition of Guitar Slim’s blues classic by Johnny Winter. Jimi’s trademark guitar work and Winter’s deft slide playing weaves in and around the foundation set by bassist Billy Cox and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young drummer Dallas Taylor.
9. Georgia Blues – Jimi reunited with some old friends from his pre-Experience days. Lonnie Youngblood, with whom Hendrix played in R&B groups like Curtis Knight & The Squires, voiced this superb twelve bar blues neatly underpinned by Hendrix’s sublime rhythm and lead guitar work.
10. Sweet Angel* – With Axis: Bold As Love only just released, Jimi immediately turned his focus to recording what would become Electric Ladyland. This gorgeous, instrumental reading of “Angel,”, features Jimi on guitar, bass and vibraphone joined by Mitch Mitchell.
11. Woodstock* – Stephen Stills came to this session fresh from having visited Joni Mitchell, who had a new song that Stills was excited to try and record. Long before CSNY’s version, Stephen, Jimi and Buddy Miles recorded this amazing rendition.
12. Send My Love To Linda* – A superb new Hendrix original composition recorded with Cox and Miles in the aftermath of their successful Band Of Gypsys performances at the Fillmore East.
13. Cherokee Mist* – Together with drummer Mitch Mitchell, Jimi created this moody, evocative original complete with his playing of a sitar to complement his traditional electric guitar.

Pre-Order the New Album 'Both Sides of the Sky'

*previously unreleased

On March 9, Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings proudly release Both Sides of the Sky, a dynamic new Jimi Hendrix album featuring 13 studio recordings made between 1968 and 1970—10 of which have never before been released. The album will be released on multiple formats including CD, digital, and as a 180 gram audiophile vinyl 2LP.

Both Sides of the Sky is the third volume in a trilogy of albums intended to present the best and most significant unissued studio recordings remaining in the music legend’s archive. This third release is anticipated to complete the spectacular recording event in epic fashion. “Since Experience Hendrix began its restoration of the Jimi Hendrix music catalog in 1997, our goal has been to present these important recordings to Jimi’s fans in the best possible quality. We are excited about achieving that. We’ve also been intent on generating album releases which present this amazing music in its proper context,” explains John McDermott, one of the album’s co-producers, together with Janie Hendrix and Eddie Kramer.

Pre-Order the New Album 'Both Sides of the Sky'

TRACK LIST:
1. Mannish Boy* – The first ever studio session by the group Hendrix would christen as his Band Of Gypsys. Hendrix, Cox & Miles shared a love for the blues as this driving, uptempo reworking of “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters makes clear.
2. Lover Man* – Just two weeks before their triumphant New Year’s concerts at the Fillmore East in NYC [yielding both 1970’s Band Of Gypsys and 2016’s sequel Machine Gun], Hendrix gathered with Cox and Miles to cut this dynamic rendition of what had become a favorite concert staple.
3. Hear My Train A Comin’* – this version hails from April 1969 and features the original Jimi Hendrix Experience (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell) in their penultimate recording session. They recorded the song live in the studio and tore into it with savage fury.
4. Stepping Stone* – A totally unique take on this Hendrix favorite, with Jimi showcasing both blues and country styled licks atop a relentless, galloping beat.
5. $20 Fine* -Stephen Stills joined Jimi, Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles Express keyboardist Duane Hitchings at this September 1969 session. With Stephen handling lead vocals and organ, Jimi added multiple guitar parts to this rollicking Stills original.
6. Power Of Soul – This 1970 studio session came three weeks after the Band Of Gypsys concerts at the Fillmore East. While a live version remains one of the highpoints of Band Of Gypsys, Jimi never released a studio version during his lifetime. For this album, we present the mix that Hendrix and Kramer prepared of the complete song at Electric Lady on August 22, 1970.
7. Jungle* – The influence of Curtis Mayfield can be heard here as Jimi expands on the “Villanova Junction Blues” theme he made famous by its inclusion in the 1970 Woodstock documentary.
8. Things I Used To Do – Jimi is joined for this rendition of Guitar Slim’s blues classic by Johnny Winter. Jimi’s trademark guitar work and Winter’s deft slide playing weaves in and around the foundation set by bassist Billy Cox and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young drummer Dallas Taylor.
9. Georgia Blues – Jimi reunited with some old friends from his pre-Experience days. Lonnie Youngblood, with whom Hendrix played in R&B groups like Curtis Knight & The Squires, voiced this superb twelve bar blues neatly underpinned by Hendrix’s sublime rhythm and lead guitar work.
10. Sweet Angel* – With Axis: Bold As Love only just released, Jimi immediately turned his focus to recording what would become Electric Ladyland. This gorgeous, instrumental reading of “Angel,”, features Jimi on guitar, bass and vibraphone joined by Mitch Mitchell.
11. Woodstock* – Stephen Stills came to this session fresh from having visited Joni Mitchell, who had a new song that Stills was excited to try and record. Long before CSNY’s version, Stephen, Jimi and Buddy Miles recorded this amazing rendition.
12. Send My Love To Linda* – A superb new Hendrix original composition recorded with Cox and Miles in the aftermath of their successful Band Of Gypsys performances at the Fillmore East.
13. Cherokee Mist* – Together with drummer Mitch Mitchell, Jimi created this moody, evocative original complete with his playing of a sitar to complement his traditional electric guitar.

Pre-Order the New Album 'Both Sides of the Sky'

*previously unreleased