1988 Fender '62 AVRI Stratocaster (ex Johnny Marr) White

Johnny Marr (The Smiths, The The, The Pretenders) - stage used 1988 Fender American Vintage 1962 Reissue Stratocaster electric guitar, made in USA, ser. no. V034381; Body: Olympic white finish, lacquer checking, scuffs and other general play marks; Neck: maple, signed by Johnny Marr to the back of the head, a few various dings; Fretboard: rosewood; Frets: good; Electrics: working, upgraded EMG pickups; Hardware: upgraded graphite bridge block, replacement saddles, replacement control knobs, missing trem arm; Case: later hard case; Overall condition: good

*Formerly owned by British guitarist and singer/songwriter Johnny Marr, founding member of The Smiths and former member of The Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs.

After leaving The Smiths in 1987, Johnny Marr had a six month period with The Pretenders. In 1988, musical differences saw him leave and join The The, a very popular post punk band in the late 80s and early 90s. By 1988, along with Johnny Marr, Matt Johnson had recruited ex Nick Lowe bassist James Eller and ex ABC drummer David Palmer as full-time members of the band. This line-up, plus guest singer Sinead O'Connor, recorded the album 'Mindbomb', which debuted at number four in the UK album charts. This album featured the band's highest charting single at the time 'The Beat (en Generation)', which peaked at number eighteen in the UK singles chart.

In 1989 through 1990, following the release of the album, the band embarked on the lengthy 'the The Versus the World' world tour. During this tour, a live film of the same name, directed by Tim Pope was filmed during the three nights the band performed at London's Royal Albert Hall.

This guitar was Johnny's number one stage used instrument during this 'the The' period, being used on every single date. The guitar can be seen on the live film 'The The Versus the World' at The Royal Albert Hall, as well as featuring heavily in promotional material around this time.

The guitar, a 1988 Fender American Vintage 1962 Reissue Stratocaster, was made in the factory that later became the Fender Custom Shop, which at the time supplied many custom builds to artists. This was one of the first few instruments given to Johnny by Fender, who now have a longstanding relationship and regular produced signature models. Johnny's favourite guitar at the time, that he still uses to this day, was an original 1962 Fender Stratocaster. This guitar, being the same specification, was acquired as an alternative less expensive instrument and therefore deemed less of a risk to take out on tour. The guitar was modified by Johnny Marr's guitar technician Phil Powell with EMG pickups during the American leg of the world tour to avoid hum problems (see Marr's Guitars' section of 'The Guitar Magazine' volume one, issue one, collectors issue). The guitar also features an old style Precision Bass brass knob allowing better grip (see page 78 of Guitar Player, January 1990). The case features a brown tag inscribed 'Blonde Strat EMG Pickups' to allow him to find it within his extensive guitar collection. Within the case is Johnny's personal thumb pick and custom Ernie Ball 'Johnny' plectrum (see page 78 of Guitar Player, January 1990)

The guitar is supplied with an extensive selection of provenance including:
- A postcard detailing the guitar's use, signed front and back by Johnny Marr.
- Johnny's personal thumb pick and custom 'Johnny' Ernie Ball plectrum.
- Various photographs of Johnny Marr in the 'Crazy Face Factory' with the guitar, including signing the provenance note and back of the headstock.
- the The Versus the World tour programme and VHS video, both featuring the guitar.
-Various photographs of the guitar in use during the world tour.
- A photograph of the Japanese 'Guitar' magazine showing the front cover feature image of Johnny with the guitar.
- A copy of the 'Mindbomb' album CD.
- A copy of Guitar Player magazine, January 1990 where the guitar is mentioned.
- A copy of The Guitar magazine edition 1, 1990, where the guitar is mentioned.
- A scan of an NME magazine that features an image of Johnny with the guitar.
- A tag on the case handwritten by Johnny Marr inscribed 'Blonde Strat EMG Pickups'
 
The guitar was purchased by the vendor directly from Johnny Marr, who signed the back of the headstock and supplied a handwritten postcard detailing the guitar's use.