- Johnny Marr will auction 80 guitars through Christie’s in London.
- High value items include a Gibson ES-355 and Rickenbacker 330.
- Portions of the sale proceeds will benefit two specific charities.
Christie’s is handling the sale of about 80 guitars and gear on 17 September in London. Public viewings are set for London and New York. A 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355 carries the top estimate of £150,000. This specific piece was bought by Seymour Stein after a joke about signing to Sire Records.
The 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo is another big ticket item with an £80,000 ceiling. It was used for songs like Still Ill and Accept Yourself. Interestingly the Rickenbacker appeared on the cover of Supersonic since it was lent to Noel Gallagher. It was not used for the opening riff of This Charming Man.
High value instruments from the Smiths era go to auction
A 1971 Martin D-28 acoustic heard on Cemetry Gates, is valued between £30,000 and £50,000. There is also a Roger Giffin Telecaster-style build from the 1984 Top of the Pops gig. The Giffin instrument has a top estimate of £30,000 and was used during Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.
A 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard is seen as a workhorse. It was used for the final Smiths song in December 1986. Later, it appeared on Gorillaz and New Order recordings. It was also used for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and the Cribs. A Comet Sparkle Fender Jaguar is also listed.
Ten lots will go to the National Autistic Society and Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Reflecting on his 2023 book, Marr noted the poignancy of his tools. He said, «I think there’s something about how important the guitars are to me» and added, «I’m at a point in my life and time has passed».
Regarding Noel Gallagher, Marr mentioned he helped him because he wished someone had done it for him. He stated «He was just a kid from Burnage. I had no idea Oasis were going to go on to such big things». His new solo record, The Age of Everything, drops on 2 October.
