Johnny Marr Guitar Collection Walkthrough Video at Christie's with The Music Zoo!
Join The Music Zoo as they take an in-depth look at the top guitars featured in the Johnny Marr Collection at Christie's; 1959 ES-355, 1982 Rickenbacker 330, 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard, Roger Giffen Telecaster & More played throughout Marr's career with The Smiths, solo music and collaborations!
The Music Zoo gained up-close access to the Johnny Marr Collection coming up for auction at Christie's Auction House while it was briefly on display in New York City! Join us for a full-length tour of the top iconic guitars coming up for sale from one of our guitar heroes who used these guitars to write the biggest hits of his career with The Smiths, his solo work and many collaborations.
It was an incredible opportunity to see many of our all-time favorite guitars up-close, and just as important that we show them to you online if you weren't able to attend the public tours!
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Johnny Marr Guitar Collection Walkthrough at Christie's with The Music Zoo! · 9:32 · 14 chapters
Chapter 1 · 0:00
Introduction
Jordan arrives at Christie's to preview the collection.
From the video
Hey everyone, it's Jordan from the Music Zoo. We are back at Christie's because the Johnny Marr collection is coming to auction in September. Super exciting. If you're a Smiths fan, I know I am. There's a ton of really cool guitars here that were a huge part of Johnny Marr's career throughout the Smiths, his solo work, collaborations. Let's go check them out.
Chapter 2 · 0:17
Interview with Amelia Walker
Christie's specialist on how the sale came about — and the two UK charities benefiting.
From the video
All right, we're here with my old friend Amelia Walker. Amelia, it's good to see you again.
Amelia: You, too, Jordan. I'm sure it was a pretty big celebration after the Irsay auction. It was very special. It's nice to be back.
Jordan: And now we're here looking at the Johnny Marr collection. How did this come about?
Amelia: Well, it's been a kind of long conversation with Johnny, who I think, as he says, ever since he wrote his book Marr's Guitars in 2023, has been kind of thinking he doesn't really want all these beautiful instruments to go back in their cases. So it's been something that we've been chatting to him about for a little while now, and now we're really pleased to be able to share it with everyone.
Jordan: One of the greatest guitar collectors and players in the world. Is there anything — when you were talking to him, was he like "I'm going to keep that one," or did he really let it all go?
Amelia: No, I think he himself would say he doesn't look backwards, but I think there were some here that are a bit of a wrench. The 355 — this is a big one. And these five right here, this beautiful array — this is like a collection in and of itself. That's so much of the Smiths' discography and his discography as a solo artist.
Jordan: There's a lot of guitars going for charity too, right?
Amelia: Yes — Johnny is really generously donating the proceeds for several guitars and some gold records and posters to two charities based in the UK: the National Autistic Society and Guide Dogs. So we're really pleased to be partnering with him to help with that.
Chapter 3 · 2:31
1959 Gibson ES-355 Cherry Red
Perhaps the crown jewel of the collection and the most valuable as a vintage guitar, even if it wasn't owned by a notable musician. This 1959 Gibson ES-355 in Cherry Red was purchased for Marr by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein while The Smiths were in New York to sign their record contract. Marr went on to write hits such as "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" and "Girl Afraid" on this ES-355.
From the video
All right, here we are with Johnny's 1959 ES-355 in Cherry Red. The great story behind this one is that when the Smiths were about to sign to Sire Records for their deal in the US, Johnny went to Seymour Stein and was like, "If you want me to sign this record contract, you've got to take me guitar shopping." So they did — they walked to We Buy Guitars on 48th Street and bought this guitar.
Still has the original PAF pickups in there, and it's the classic guitar he used on hits like "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now."
Chapter 4 · 2:59
1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard Cherry Red
A 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Cherry Red, bought by Marr as The Smiths went into the studio to record "Meat Is Murder". One would think it's a Rickenbacker or another guitar that features the most across Marr's recordings — but he has said it is actually this Les Paul.
From the video
In any other case, a 1984 Les Paul Standard wouldn't be that exciting. But this guitar was played on "Meat Is Murder," so it is quite a big deal. According to Johnny, this has been featured on more of his records than any other guitar in his collection.
Classic Cherry Red — kind of looks like the Lucy Les Paul to me, but it looks great with the zebra pickups. And he put a Bigsby on it at some point. Cool guitar, a lot of history behind that one.
Chapter 5 · 3:23
Roger Giffen Telecaster Green Burst
Given to Marr as a gift from his then-fiancée and now wife Angie as an engagement present. The guitar has an eye-catching green burst finish over birdseye maple for the top and back of the body, with brass parts. You can see it heavily featured on The Smiths' Top of the Pops appearances between 1984 and 1985.
From the video
All right, we're really getting the royal treatment now because we're getting some guitars unlocked. This is the Roger Giffen Tele, gifted to Johnny by his wife Angie. Really awesome bird's eye maple neck on here. Roger Giffen — famed UK luthier.
Amelia also just told me that this guitar was used for the slide part on "How Soon Is Now," which as iconic guitar parts go, that's up there. This thing's pretty hefty, I've got to say. So I don't blame Johnny for only playing it for a couple songs at a time, but it's really, really cool.
Chapter 6 · 3:57
1971 Martin D-28 Dreadnought
This 1971 Martin D-28 dreadnought was Marr's main six-string acoustic and is heard on many Smiths songs when an acoustic was needed. It served as his main acoustic for tracks such as "Cemetry Gates" and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out".
From the video
Right here we have Johnny's 1971 D-28. This is the guitar he used to compose a lot of the Smiths songs at home before they hit the studio. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" was written on this guitar, which is wild to see in person.
Chapter 7 · 4:17
1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo
Following The Smiths signing their first record deal with Rough Trade, Marr bought this 1982 Rickenbacker 330 in Jetglo. You can see this guitar on stage with Marr for many performances, and hear it on songs like "This Charming Man" and "You've Got Everything Now".
From the video
Then lastly in this part of the collection we have Johnny's '82 Rickenbacker 330 in Jetglo. You can hear this guitar on "This Charming Man" and "Still Ill." Still looks like it's in all-original condition — all the Rickenbacker parts. Credit to us for finally saying Rickenbacker the right way.
Chapter 8 · 4:40
1977 Gretsch Chet Atkins Super Axe
A wild choice for a Gretsch guitar, but quite significant for Marr and The Smiths: this 1977 Gretsch Chet Atkins Super Axe was the first guitar he played with The Smiths and was used to record "Hand in Glove". It was also used for The Smiths' debut live show on October 4th, 1982.
From the video
All right, here we have the 1977 Gretsch Super Axe. A weird one in the collection for sure, but pretty significant. This is the first guitar he played in the Smiths. You can hear him play this guitar on "Hand in Glove," and he played this during the very first Smiths show. Pretty rad.
This guitar is famous for the onboard effects. We don't know if he actually ever used them, but you can hear him use this on That Pedal Show — which is also where I'll give those guys credit, a great video where I got a lot of my notes for this one. Cheers, guys.
Chapter 9 · 5:13
1980 Fender 9-Pickup Stratocaster
This oddity is a 1980 Fender Stratocaster heavily modified with nine pickups, with on/off and phase switches for each pickup, along with a hardtail brass bridge. The guitar was purchased by Marr while hanging out for the first time with a young Noel Gallagher.
From the video
This is my favorite one. Check it out — the infamous nine-pickup Stratocaster, with my favorite story: the very first time Johnny Marr hung out with Noel Gallagher, Noel hopped in Johnny's car, they went guitar shopping, and Johnny found this guitar and picked it up.
Nine pickups, nine switches for on/off, and according to what Johnny said on That Pedal Show, a phase on/off for each one. That's awesome. You think we can get Fender to do this? No, probably not. We might try.
Chapter 10 · 5:47
Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar, Stage-Played
Bare Knuckle pickups, four-way switch — estimated £10,000–15,000.
From the video
This is a pretty cool one. We all know this guitar — the Johnny Marr signature Jaguar from Fender. This one is quite heavily used on stage, but I love this guitar. This is one of the best sellers at The Music Zoo. The Bare Knuckle pickups, the four-way switch, the wear on this thing is pretty extensive.
The back of the body is pretty cool — you have Duchamp's Bicycle Wheel, plus Aldous Huxley, and then for New York, the Chrysler Building. This one is estimated to go for £10,000 to £15,000. For some of my Johnny Marr-loving pals — me included — this could be a good entry point getting one of his guitars in this auction.
Chapter 11 · 6:23
Assorted Vintage Rickenbacker Guitars
A 1976 362/12 double neck, a 1989 370/12, and a remarkably clean 1966 335 in Mapleglo.
From the video
We have another cool one — a 1976 Rickenbacker 362/12/6 in Fireglo double neck. You have 12 and 6 strings, toaster tops. Cool guitar. Doesn't really say what he played on this guitar, but the auction estimate is £6,000 to £8,000. Another cool piece that's not going for an exorbitant amount of money — you can get a really cool Rickenbacker owned by Johnny Marr for that price.
All right, right here we have a 12-string Rickenbacker. This is a 370/12 built in 1989. Still in pretty clean shape. And I've got to correct myself — before I was saying the auction estimates in USD, but this auction is being held in London in September. So £6,000 to £8,000 is a bit more in USD. Take with that what you will.
Another Rickenbacker. Here we have a 1966 335 in Mapleglo. You've got the toaster tops, little mini vibrola arm. And for being a '66, this thing is pretty clean. Another cool Rickenbacker out of the Johnny Marr collection.
Chapter 12 · 7:39
1993 Gibson EDS-1275 Doubleneck Cherry Red
The iconic '90s double neck — estimated £5,000–7,000.
From the video
All right, another double neck — this time a Gibson. We have a 1993 EDS-1275 in cherry red. 1993 — we know what era that is. Estimated auction price is £5,000 to £7,000. So if you want an iconic double neck owned by Johnny Marr, could be the one for you.
Chapter 13 · 7:59
Assorted Johnny Marr Signature Jaguars
Fever dream yellow, Sherwood green metallic, black and Comet Sparkle — all stage-used.
From the video
Rounding this out with a bunch of stage-used Johnny Marr signature Jaguars from Fender.
First up: a special edition in fever dream yellow, which looks really really cool. Lots of dents and dings around that body. Here's another one in my personal favorite Fender finish — Sherwood green metallic. Lots of dents on this one. Johnny Marr Jaguar in black, a couple stickers on there for fun. And last up for the Jaguars: Comet Sparkle. Really cool finish — I don't think that was a production color. Should be really special. Looks great.
Chapter 14 · 9:05
Wrap-up
A sneak peek of the collection heading to Christie's in London.
From the video
Right, there we have it. Just a sneak peek of the Johnny Marr collection going to auction at Christie's. Thank you very much to the Christie's team for allowing us this up-close access. For all your new, used, and vintage guitar needs, be sure to visit us at themusiczoo.com. Thanks for watching.
