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! 🎤🔥
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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