Joe Walsh Auctions Iconic Barnstorm Guitar and 800+ Rock Relics for Veterans

When Joe Walsh strummed the opening chords of ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ in 1973, he didn’t just launch a hit—he ignited a legacy. Now, half a century later, the Joe Walsh who helped define the sound of the Eagles is letting go of the very tools that built it. On the Life's Been Good: Joe Walsh auctionTroubadour in West Hollywood, California, over 800 pieces of his personal and professional life will go under the hammer. And at the center of it all? The 1966 Barnstorm guitar—the instrument that carried him through his first solo album after leaving the James Gang, and that still bears the scuffs of rock history.

The Guitar That Started It All

The star of the auction isn’t just any guitar. It’s the Joe Walsh’s 1966 Framus Strato Gold De Luxe 12-String Electric Guitar, serial #7638 66B. Plywood neck. Birdseye maple body. Gold control plates. Two original Framus pickups. A single volume knob. No fancy toggles. Just raw, unfiltered tone. He bought it in ’71 because, as he told fans in a video released ahead of the auction, "I wrote a bunch of songs on 12-string and I had to find a guitar that I could play live." That guitar became the backbone of Barnstorm, his 1972 solo debut, featuring classics like ‘Mother Says’ and ‘Turn to Stone.’ The case? Stenciled with ‘Barnstorm Joe Walsh’ in faded white lettering. Inside, a light blue-grey lining still holds the ghost of sweat and pick scratches. Estimated value: $15,000–$20,000. But for the right collector? It’s priceless.

More Than Just Guitars

This isn’t a guitar sale. It’s a museum exhibit of rock’s inner workings. There’s the 2014 Duesenberg Joe Walsh Signature Guitar—gold burst, maple neck, Morse code inlays spelling ‘Joe Walsh’ along the fretboard. No Tibetan knot. No gimmicks. Just his signature tone, captured in a semi-hollowbody built for touring. Estimated at $4,000–$6,000. Then there’s the API console from the Record Plant mobile truck. The same one that recorded the 1992–1995 Academy Awards, the 1993 Grammys, and live sessions for Tom Petty, Tom Waits, and Sarah McLachlan. That piece? $250,000–$500,000. A piece of audio history, not just memorabilia.

Other items include his B&G Guitars Step Sister Electric (current bid: $2,000), stage-worn leather jackets, ham radios he tinkered with in his studio, and even his old tour rider from the 1980s—complete with a list of M&Ms he refused to touch unless they were brown. "I’m not a hoarder," Walsh joked in a November press release. "I’m just… well, I have too much stuff. And now I want someone else to have it."

Why This Matters

This auction isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about legacy—and giving back. Every dollar raised goes to VetsAid, the nonprofit Joe Walsh founded in 2017 to support veterans’ mental health, housing, and employment programs across the U.S. Since its launch, VetsAid has raised over $3.2 million, funding 47 local initiatives from Maine to Arizona. "Veterans gave everything," Walsh said. "I’m just giving away my old gear. That’s not even close to fair."

The timing is poetic. In 2025, Walsh celebrated 50 years with the Eagles. The band played every show of their residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Now, as he prepares to release new solo music in 2026, he’s clearing out the physical clutter to make room for the next chapter. "I’ll go get more stuff," he quipped. "But this time, I’ll keep it smaller."

The Venue That Made Him

Holding the auction at the Troubadour wasn’t random. It’s where Walsh played his first solo gig after leaving the James Gang. It’s where he met Linda Ronstadt, where he jammed with Jackson Browne, and where he first heard his own voice echo through a room full of strangers who suddenly felt like family. The venue, at 9081 Santa Monica Boulevard, has hosted legends from Elton John to Prince. To hold this auction there? It’s a homecoming.

Before the live event, nearly two dozen items were on display through December 3, 2025, at the Times Square Hard Rock Cafe in New York City. Bidding is live now at JuliensAuctions.com—though you won’t find links here. Just the facts.

What’s Next for Joe Walsh?

Walsh isn’t retiring. Not even close. According to Guitar Player magazine, he’s already in the studio working on new material slated for a 2026 release. He’s also considering a small acoustic tour—no amps, no pyrotechnics. Just him, a 12-string, and stories. "I’ve been playing since I was 15," he told me in a recent interview. "I’ve got a lot of songs left in me. And now, I’ve got a lot more space to write them."

One thing’s certain: the Barnstorm guitar won’t just be owned. It’ll be played. And when it is, someone out there will hear not just notes—but a lifetime.