Johnny Marr to auction guitars used in The Smiths

Johnny Marr is auctioning guitars he played during his time with The Smiths and across his solo career at Christie's in London.

The sale, titled Marr's Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection, will include 95 lots from his personal collection and will take place on September 17.

Taking place on September 17 in London, the collection will be available for the public to view in London and New York before the sale from June 25 to July 1.

 

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The lots include Marr's 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, which he said inspired him to write The Smiths' 1984 single 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now', and is expected to sell for between €115,000 and €173,000.

Also included is his 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, which was used during the recording of the band's self-titled 1984 debut album and on their early tours. It can be heard on songs such as 'This Charming Man' and 'What Difference Does It Make?', and is estimated at €69,000 to €92,000.

"I have loved guitars for as long as I can remember, since the first one I got at the age of five," said Marr on the collection.

"Each guitar I have acquired over the past 50 years or so has helped me evolve as a musician, bringing new songs, new sounds and techniques. It's bittersweet to be parting with these guitars, but I want them to go to new homes and new people who will love them as much as I have."

The sale comes ahead of Marr's first studio album in four years, The Age Of Everything, due for release on October 2.