Turn it up to 11, mun – because one of the most outrageous axes in rock ’n’ roll history is about to be unleashed on the auction block!
Yes, we’re talking about The Beast – the monstrous six-neck guitar that’s been both a parody and a powerhouse, famously shredded (well, sort of) by Spinal Tap in their cult mockumentary glory days and later given a second life in the hands of comedy legend and prog-rock wizard Bill Bailey.
And now? It could be yours – if you’re ready to cough up between £2,000 and £3,000 when it goes up for auction on 10th March 2025. Proper job! 💷🔥
🤘 The Beast: Rock ’n’ Roll Excess Made Real
For Spinal Tap, guitars weren’t just instruments – they were statements. And The Beast was the loudest of them all (visually, at least). Six necks bolted together into a terrifying Frankenstein’s fretboard, it looked more like something you’d use to summon a dragon than play a gig.
While most guitarists are happy with six strings, this bad boy had six necks – and more tuning headaches than a Cardiff pub quiz night. 🎶
But here’s the kicker: it actually works. Yes, The Beast is a playable guitar (if you’re part-octopus and don’t mind your chiropractor bill doubling every week).
😂 Bill Bailey: Prog Meets Punchlines
Enter Bill Bailey, the prog-loving stand-up genius who took The Beast from Spinal Tap satire into the world of live comedy. Bailey has never hidden his love of music – whether it’s weaving Kraftwerk parodies into jokes or playing Slayer on the church bells – and The Beast became part of his onstage arsenal of musical madness.
Seeing Bailey strap this monster on mid-set was always a guaranteed “what’s occurring?” moment. It was part comedy prop, part prog-fantasy, and all completely bonkers – lush!
💷 Auction Time: How Much for Six Necks of Chaos?
The Beast heads to auction on 10th March 2025, with experts predicting it’ll fetch somewhere between £2,000 and £3,000. Honestly, considering this is both Spinal Tap and Bill Bailey heritage, that feels like a steal.
Just imagine the bragging rights:
- Your mates pop round, you’ve got The Beast mounted on the wall.
- They ask, “Can you play it?”
- You reply, “Only if I sprout four extra arms and sell my soul to Tony Iommi.”
🏆 A Piece of Rock History – and Comedy Gold
Whether you see it as a legitimate piece of musical history, a comedy relic, or the ultimate wall decoration for your man cave/she shed, The Beast is undeniably iconic. It represents everything ridiculous and brilliant about rock ’n’ roll excess – and the fact it was played by both Spinal Tap and Bill Bailey makes it twice as legendary.
So if you’ve got a few spare grand lying about, c’mon butt – why not bid? You could own one of the daftest, loudest, and most gloriously impractical guitars ever created.
Just don’t try and take it as hand luggage on your next Ryanair flight.
👉 Would you hang The Beast in pride of place, or actually try to play the damn thing? Let us know in the comments below! 🎤🔥
