One of rock’s most respected guitarists is preparing to part with a substantial piece of his musical history.
Johnny Marr has announced plans to auction nearly 100 guitars and related equipment from his personal collection through Christie’s. The sale will offer fans, collectors, and music historians a rare opportunity to acquire instruments that helped shape some of alternative rock’s most influential recordings.
Among the featured items are guitars used during Marr’s years with The Smiths, including a Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo associated with several of the band’s best-known recordings. Also headed to auction is a Martin D-28 acoustic that contributed to some of the group’s most enduring songs, along with a Gibson ES-355 that became one of Marr’s signature instruments throughout his career.
The collection extends beyond Marr’s Smiths era. Several guitars have appeared in projects involving artists ranging from New Order and The Cribs to Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Gorillaz. The sale therefore represents not only a look back at one celebrated band, but also a broader journey through decades of British rock music.
Before the auction takes place, selections from the collection will be displayed publicly in New York and London, giving fans a chance to see the instruments up close. For many visitors, the exhibition may feel less like a gear showcase and more like a museum tour documenting the career of one of modern rock’s most influential guitarists.
The auction also carries a charitable component. Proceeds from several lots will support organizations dedicated to assisting visually impaired individuals and people on the autism spectrum.
For collectors, the event offers the chance to own a piece of music history. For fans, it marks the next chapter in the story of instruments that helped create some of alternative rock’s most memorable sounds.
