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Johnny Marr Auctions Guitars Used by Oasis

Johnny Marr has spoken about letting go of close to 100 guitars from his own collection, telling the BBC he didn't want his studio to turn into "a museum." Around 80 instruments are part of the sale, along with amps, gold and silver records, posters and harmonicas. The items are on show in London now, before they go under the hammer at Christie's on 17 September.

Before the auction, Marr met up with Noel Gallagher to look over some of the historic instruments. Gallagher said the former The Smiths guitarist had "always been a bit gung-ho" with his gear. He also remembered borrowing Marr's black 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo while Oasis were making their debut album Definitely Maybe. That guitar ended up on the cover of their 1994 first single Supersonic. Marr had used it to write Smiths songs such as "This Charming Man" and "What Difference Does It Make," and it could now bring in as much as £80,000.

Other notable pieces from Marr's career are also up for sale. A 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, a gift from Seymour Stein to persuade The Smiths to sign with Sire Records, was the guitar behind "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now." Gallagher said watching Marr play that model on Top of the Pops made him go out and buy a red Gibson of his own.

The lots also include a 1971 Martin D-28 12-string acoustic, used for "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," and a 1984 Cherry Gibson Les Paul Standard that Marr played at his last stage appearance with The Smiths and later used on Gorillaz' album The Mountain. A custom 2017 Fender Signature Jaguar, played on the Billie Eilish James Bond theme No Time To Die, is part of the auction too.

Estimates run from £1,000 to £150,000. The BBC reports that Marr will give the full hammer price from 31 lots to charity, with the money going to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.

Photo: Music-News
Source: Muzland
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