GEAR DATABASE
Johnny Marr Talks Guitars & A Life In Music
Published 20 Oct 2023
Duration:
1:45:25
We travel to the guitar icon’s studio for a fascinating interview and some classic guitar tones!
Welcome to the show! It is indeed a huge day for That Pedal Show. Johnny Marr has had a profound, steering influence on music since his band The Smiths burst onto the scene in the early 1980s. What followed were stints with The Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs among others, alongside countless sessions and a continuing successful solo career.
We are absolutely delighted to be able to bring you this show from Johnny’s studio where he walks us through a handful of his most iconic guitars in around plenty of chat about his musical journey to date.
Needless to say, we are immensely grateful for the time and warm welcome, plus a special thanks to Rich Henry for all his help.
We’re super proud to bring you this show - enjoy!
Two important things to check out…
'Spirit Power: The Best Of Johnny Marr' is released 3rd November via BMG - https://johnnymarr.lnk.to/SpiritPowerPR
'Marr's Guitars' is published by Thames & Hudson from 17th October - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/marr-s-guitars-a-career-spanning-collection-of-stage-worn-rareties-studio-faithfuls-and-customized-hand-me-downs-johnny-marr/7417503?ean=9780500026328
Pedals & stuff in this episode
• Carl Martin AC Tone
https://www.carlmartin.com/ac-tone-single
• Carl Martin Plexi Tone
https://www.carlmartin.com/plexitone-single
• Boss GT-1000 Core
UK & Europe: https://bit.ly/45zSOiR
Australia: https://bit.ly/46X78Db
USA: https://bit.ly/3Q1fnra
• Boss RC-5 Loop Station
UK & Europe: https://bit.ly/402VHaQ
Australia: https://bit.ly/3tyeVJ8
USA: https://bit.ly/3S0SV3X
Interesting bits and go-to sections
0:00 Intro and hello!
1:22 Story of the Marr’s Guitars book
4:30 The catharsis of revisiting guitars
5:48 1977 Gretsch 7680 Super Axe - the first Smiths guitar
10:24 1982 Rickenbacker 330
13:15 This Charming Man, aged 19
15:20 Early obsession with guitar culture
27:30 Taking it seriously… aged 15
31:40 The 1960 Gibson ES-355
37:00 Sensibilities of the songwriter
48:28 Fully formed or always evolving?
51:55 Overdrive?
54:16 1963/4 Epiphone Casino - How Soon Is Now?
1:01:25 1984 Fender Telecaster Giffin Custom Korina
1:03:30 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard - arpeggio!
1:06:47 The Nine Pickup 1978 Fender Stratocaster
1:09:35 The The, Electronic and personal evolution
1:14:20 1965 Fender Jaguar
1:20:54 Beginning of the signature Fender Jaguar
1:29:52 Singing?
1:33:40 Copping a bit of Johnny’s sound?
1:38:25 Pedals and effects?
Guitars in the episode
Buy Johnny’s book to get the full info - link above
Amp in the episode
• Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb (modern reissue with standard speaker)
Close mic’d with Austrian Audio OC18, plus stereo room mics
We hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to our channel.
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