Walter Becker’s Music Gear to Be Auctioned

Walter Becker

Julien’s Auctions has announced an auction set for October that will feature a massive amount of music gear owned by late Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker. The auction is set for October 18th and 19th.

“Julien’s Auctions is thrilled to offer this exceptional collection of musical instruments and gear owned and cherished by Walter Becker,” said Darren Julien, CEO, and president of Julien’s Auctions, in a statement. “Walter Becker was legendary for his unique sound, his curiosity, his knowledge, his high audiophile standards and his pleasure in experimenting to find just the right sonic landscape that would best support his creative and musical intentions. This fine and wide-ranging collection reflects all of these characteristics — and more — that helped make Walter Becker one of the most talented and respected all-around musicians and sonic connoisseurs of his generation.”

Walter Becker 1959 Fender Precision

The auction will include everything from instruments to amplifiers to recording gear and more. Becker served as bassist for the band’s early years and though they ended up employing studio musicians for many songs, he played bass on at least one track per album. Not all of the pieces of the auction have been listed, but among the highlights are his 1958 and 1959 Fender Precision Basses and a 1965 Fender Jazz Bass in its original, now yellowed Olympic White finish. Each of those basses is estimated in value at $8,000 to $10,000.

Other notable pieces include the 1957 Fender Duo-Sonic guitar from the 1977 album Aja, his signature Model #1 by Sadowsky, and a 1936 D’Angelico Excel. The Property from the Estate of Walter Becker will be held October 18th and 19th online and live in Beverly Hills. Check out Julien’s Auctions for more information.

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  1. Bob Rogers

    So, which or what charities will his wife be donating the proceeds to? Or is she going to be greedy and selfish like she was in expecting to share the Steely Dan name and reap half the benefits of the band. I guess she lost that lawsuit.

  2. Bob Rogers

    In September I’ll be attending a STEELY DAN concert, so I guess her lawsuit failed.