Marr got this 1988 Fender ’62 Reissue Stratocaster brand new from Fender in 1988, apparently so he could have a reliable guitar to carry on tour while keeping his original vintage 1962 safe at home.
The The
After parting ways with The Smiths in 1987, Marr briefly joined The Pretenders before moving on to The The, where he contributed to their hit album Mind Bomb. The album, featuring Sinead O’Connor as a guest vocalist, reached number four on the UK album charts, with singles like “The Beat(en) Generation” achieving significant chart success.
This guitar became Marr’s primary stage instrument during his tenure with the band, especially during their extensive 1989-1990 “The The Versus the World” tour, where it was played at every show and prominently featured in promotional materials.
Specs and Mods
This guitar is a 1988 Fender American Vintage 1962 Reissue Stratocaster, finished in an “aged” white designed to mimic the look of an original Olympic White Strat after years of natural wear. Initially, it came with all stock components, but it underwent a few notable modifications to better suit Johnny Marr’s needs on tour.
Before the U.S. leg of The The’s 1990 tour, Marr’s guitar tech, Phil Powell, upgraded the guitar with a set of EMG SA active pickups, made famous by David Gilmour on his red Stratocaster. This modification helped reduce hum and provided a cleaner, more consistent tone for live performances.
Also, the volume knob was replaced with one from a Fender Precision Bass, a change that reportedly gave Marr better grip and control over volume adjustments during performances.
Auction
Marr ended up selling the guitar to someone who, in 2024, decided to put it up for auction (if you happen to know any details behind this story, please post it in the comments).
The Strat was auctioned by Gardiner Houlgate, along with Marr’s Mesa Boogie amplifier. It was estimated to sell for up to £25,000 (about $32,500 USD), with the amplifier expected to reach around £4,000 (approximately $5,200 USD). The auction took place on September 3, 2024, and both items were sold, but the auction house hasn’t disclosed the final prices.
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