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. All right, we're here with my
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
Old friend Amelia Walker. Amelia, it's good to see you again. 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. That's right. And now we're here looking at the Johnny Marr collection. How did this come about? Well, I mean, it's been a kind of long conversation with Johnny, who I think, as he says, like ever since he wrote his book Mars 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. Yeah, one of the greatest guitar collectors and players in the world. There's a lot of really cool stuff here. Is there anything you that we when you were talking to him was he like I'm going to keep that one or he was he really let it all go?
No, I think well 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. Yeah exactly. And I think these five right here, this beautiful array, we'll get to these in a bit to talk about details and close-ups, but this is like a collection in and of itself.
That's like so much of the Smith's discography and his discography as a solo artist. Yeah. And a collaborator or these guitars. Yeah. There's a lot of guitars going for charity too, right? Can you tell us about that? Yeah. So, we I mean, 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 charity and Guide Dogs.
So, we're really pleased to be partnering with him to help with that. That's great. It's for a good cause. Yeah, for sure. Are there any guitars that are your personal favorite in this collection? I mean, this is beautiful. This is such a part of Johnny's story. You know, he was bought it when he came to New York. It was bought like just one street over on 48th Street.
Seymour Stein bought it for him. You know, when they signed to Sire in the US and I think it's just so tied with him, his image with the Smith sound. It's a really beautiful instrument itself as well, a classic. I think my favorite is over there. We're going to get to it. The nine pickup Strat. That is a really good story to it. We'll get to that after this.
Amelia, thank you for your time so much. Not at all. All right, let's get to it. 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
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
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 got to go take me guitar shopping." So they did and they walked to We Buy Guitars on 48th Street and bought this guitar. Still has the original PAF pickups in there and just the classic guitar that he used on such hits like Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now.
In any other case, a 1984 Les Paul standard wouldn't be that exciting. But in this case, this guitar was played on Meet his Murder. So, it is quite a big deal. And according
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
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 in it at some point. Cool guitar. A lot of history behind that one. All right, we're really getting the royal treatment now cuz we're getting some guitars unlocked.
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
This is the Roger Giffen telly gifted to Johnny by his wife Angie. Really awesome bird's eyee maple neck on here. Roger Giffen famed UK luier. Emily 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 got to say. So I don't blame Johnny for only playing it for a couple songs at a time, but this thing is really cool. Right here we have Johnny's 1971 D28. This
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
Is the guitar that he used to compose a lot of the Smith songs at home before they hit the studio. There's a light that never goes out was written on this guitar which is wild to see in person. Then lastly in this part of the collection we have Johnny's 82 Rickenbacker 330 in black jetlow I should say. You could hear this guitar on this charming man and still
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
Ill. Still looks like it's on all original condition. All the Rickenbacker parts. Credit to us for finally saying Rickenbacker the right way. All right, here we have the 1977
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
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 could hear him play this guitar on hand and glove and he played this during the very first Smith show. Pretty rad. This guitar is famous for the onboard effects. We don't know if he actually ever used them, but you can actually 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 video. So, cheers guys. This is my favorite one. Check it out. The infamous nine pickup Stratacaster with my favorite story that the very first time
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
That Johnny Mahar hung out with No Gallagher, Null hopped in Johnny's car, they went guitar shopping and they went to a shop. Johnny found this guitar and picked it up. Nine pickups, nine switches for onoffs and then according to what Johnny said on that pedal show video, phase on off for each one. That's awesome. You think we can get Fender to do this? No, probably not. We might try. This is a pretty cool one. We all know this guitar, the Johnny
Chapter 10 · 5:47
Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar, Stage-Played
Bare Knuckle pickups, four-way switch — estimated £10,000–15,000.
From the video
Mar signature Jaguar from Fender. This one 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. And the back of the body is pretty cool. You have Duchamp's bicycle wheel out as Huxley, and then for New York, the Chrysler building. Pretty cool.
This one is estimated to go from 10 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. We have another cool
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
One, a 1976 Rickenbacker 362126 and Fireglow double neck. You have 12 and six strings, toaster tops. Cool guitar. Doesn't really say what he played on this guitar, but the auction estimate is 6 to 8,000. Another cool piece that's not going for an exorbitant amount of money where you can get a really cool Rickenbacker owned by Johnny Marr for that price. All right here we have a 12 string Rickenbacker.
This is a 370/12 built in 1989. Still in pretty clean shape. And I 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 to8,000 which is a little bit more in USD. So take with that what you will. Another Rickenbacker. This one vintage. Here we have a 1966 335 in maple glow. You got the toaster tops.
Little mini guy vibrto arm. And for being a 66, this thing is pretty clean. Another cool Ricken Backer out of the Johnny Mark collection. All right, another double neck. This time a Gibson. We have a 1993 EDS 1275 in cherry red. 1993. We know what
Chapter 12 · 7:39
1993 Gibson EDS-1275 Doubleneck Cherry Red
The iconic '90s double neck — estimated £5,000–7,000.
From the video
That is. That's the good of what era. 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. Brown this out with a bunch
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
Of stage used Johnny Marr signature Jaguars from Fender. This one is in a special edition fever dream yellow which looks 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. Couple stickers on there for fun. This one up for the Johnny Marr Jaguars. We have this one in Comet Sparkle.
Really cool finish. I don't know if that was production. I don't think so. Should be really cool. 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 Christies. 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 the music zoo.com. Thanks for watching.
