From Guitar World · · 1m 30s
Johnny Marr's blowtorch guitar disaster
The Smiths guitarist nearly killed himself trying to recreate Rory Gallagher's iconic weathered Stratocaster as a teenager.
In brief
The Smiths guitarist nearly killed himself trying to recreate Rory Gallagher's iconic weathered Stratocaster as a teenager. Rory Gallagher's legendary worn guitar look came from decades of playing, not intentional damage, but young Johnny Marr learned that lesson the hard way. Originally reported by Guitar World.
Rory's legendary weathered Strat
Rory Gallagher's 1961 Fender Stratocaster became a blues-rock icon through decades of aggressive playing. The guitar sold for 1.16 million dollars at auction last year.
Young Marr's red Vox guitar
Johnny Marr's first electric was a red Vox that looked like a Stratocaster, complete with two Strat-like pickups and a curved headstock. He loved it for years.
“It had two Strat-like pickups, and a curved head. Great sound, and it was red.”
The blowtorch plan goes wrong
At age 13, Marr took a blowtorch to his guitar to make it look weathered like Gallagher's. The lacquer kept catching fire, he inhaled toxic fumes, and passed out in the road.
“I nearly killed myself trying to get the lacquer off; it kept catching fire.”
How Gallagher's look really happened
Gallagher's Stratocaster was originally sunburst when he bought it in 1963. Its legendary worn appearance came from his aggressive picking, acidic sweat, and never putting the guitar down.
“He was said to be in tears when its paint started stripping away.”
The result was a disaster
Marr's blowtorch experiment failed spectacularly. The guitar ended up looking terrible, and he nearly poisoned himself in the process.
“I guess I went a bit too far with it. It ended up looking terrible.”
Marr's guitars fetch millions
Decades later, Marr sold nearly 100 guitars and amps at Christie's auction for nearly 5 million dollars, including his prized 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo.
The big picture
Rory Gallagher's legendary worn guitar look came from decades of playing, not intentional damage, but young Johnny Marr learned that lesson the hard way.
