Iconic guitar from Slash's pre-fame days, the B.C. Rich Warlock, used in seminal recordings like Appetite for Destruction, is set to hit the auction block (once more)
Slash's Historic B.C. Rich Warlock Up for Auction
Slash's iconic B.C. Rich Warlock guitar, a significant piece of rock history, is set to go under the hammer once again. This guitar, which was Slash's primary instrument before he switched to Gibson Les Pauls, was used during Guns N’ Roses’ formative shows and was the guitar on which he wrote the iconic riffs for Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Child O' Mine as well as demo recordings of these tracks.
Ordered by Slash in early 1984 from Hollywood Music Store in Los Angeles, this Warlock was used during Guns N’ Roses’ early shows and was the guitar on multiple performances and recordings, including seminal tracks from 'Appetite for Destruction.' The guitar was retired from active performance in January 1987.
The guitar bears Slash’s signature, drawn with felt-tip pen on the body alongside a skull and crossbones with a top hat, adding to its unique provenance and collector’s value. This guitar is considered a highly rare and valuable collectible due to its direct association with Slash’s early career and its role in shaping Guns N’ Roses’ sound.
In the past, the B.C. Rich Warlock has been auctioned before, reappearing in 2016. It comes with an original Anvil hard case and a detailed timeline. The B.C. Rich Warlock sold for $96,000 in a previous auction.
As of July 2025, the guitar is going up for auction once again, organized by Julien’s Auctions. This event highlights its stature as possibly Slash’s most-used electric guitar in the early Guns N’ Roses era and marks an important piece of rock history going under the hammer. Specific auction details such as the expected price or final hammer price have not been disclosed in the search results.
Slash is known to have used B.C. Rich Warlocks and Mockingbirds throughout his career. The auction for this particular Warlock is open for another 14 days, with bids starting at $130,000.
In summary, Slash’s B.C. Rich Warlock is a historically significant guitar because it was his primary instrument before he famously switched to Gibson Les Pauls. It was used during Guns N’ Roses’ formative shows and was the guitar on which Slash wrote iconic riffs for Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Child O' Mine as well as demo recordings of these tracks. The guitar has been authenticated by Slash and his original guitar tech, Jason Solon, and is going up for auction once again, with an estimated price of up to $200,000.
References:
[1] Julien's Auctions. (n.d.). Slash's B.C. Rich Warlock Guitar. Retrieved from https://www.juliensauctions.com/items/music-memorabilia/slash-s-b-c.-rich-warlock-guitar/
[2] Ultimate Classic Rock. (2016, November 9). Slash's B.C. Rich Warlock Guitar to be Auctioned. Retrieved from https://ultimateclassicrock.com/slash-b-c-rich-warlock-guitar-auction/
- This B.C. Rich Warlock guitar, which Slash used before shifting to Gibson Les Pauls, is a highly valued collectible in the music industry, as it was the instrument he used to write iconic riffs for songs like Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Child O' Mine.
- The B.C. Rich Warlock guitar, significant in both Slash's career and the early sound of Guns N’ Roses, has been authenticated by Slash and his original guitar tech, Jason Solon.
- The electric guitar, which has been previously auctioned and sold for $96,000, is once again up for sale, with bids starting at $130,000 in the current auction organized by Julien’s Auctions.
- The B.C. Rich Warlock is considered a prized possession for any entertainment-focused music collector due to its unique provenance, direct association with Slash's early career, and its role in creating rock history.
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