Johnny Marr has opened up about parting with nearly 100 guitars from his personal collection, explaining in a BBC report that he did not want his studio space "becoming a museum." The extensive selection, which features approximately 80 instruments alongside amplifiers, gold and silver records, posters, and harmonicas, is currently on display in London ahead of an auction at Christie’s on 17 September.
Ahead of the sale, Marr was joined by Noel Gallagher to revisit the historic instruments. During their meeting, Gallagher remarked that the former Smiths guitarist had "always been a bit gung-ho" with his gear. Gallagher recalled borrowing Marr's black 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo during the recording of Oasis’s debut album Definitely Maybe. The guitar famously appeared on the cover of their 1994 debut single Supersonic. Marr had used the instrument to write Smiths classics like "This Charming Man" and "What Difference Does It Make," and it is now expected to fetch up to £80,000.
The upcoming auction features several other standout pieces from Marr’s career. A 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, gifted to him by Seymour Stein to encourage The Smiths to sign with Sire Records, was used to write "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now." Gallagher noted that seeing Marr play that model on Top of the Pops inspired him to buy his own red Gibson.
Additional highlights include a 1971 Martin D-28 12-string acoustic, used to write "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," and a 1984 Cherry Gibson Les Paul Standard, which Marr played during his final stage appearance with The Smiths and later used on Gorillaz’s album The Mountain. Also featured is a custom 2017 Fender Signature Jaguar used on the Billie Eilish James Bond theme "No Time To Die."
Estimates for the items range between £1,000 and £150,000. As noted by the BBC, Marr will donate the full hammer price from 31 lots to charity, benefiting The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.
