Fender Telecaster Thinline 1968 Ex Johnny Marr Donovan New Order
Fender Telecaster Thinline 1968 Ex Johnny Marr Donovan New Order
59000,00 €
Few guitars can truly be considered witnesses to recent music history. This 1968 Telecaster Thinline is one of them. Despite its impeccable condition, it has passed through the hands of some of the most legendary recent British artists. It was present at the iconic Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 in the hands of Donovan, then played for years by Johnny Marr before being loaned by him to New Order for recordings and performances — this Telecaster has been played by icons of British music. Just imagine the historical weight carried by this stunning blonde guitar!
The Fender Telecaster Thinline was introduced to the market in 1968. Designed by luthier Roger Rossmeisl (also behind George Harrison’s Rosewood Telecaster), this guitar marked a shift from traditional Fender solid body models. It retained the original Telecaster style while offering a different tone thanks to its semi-hollow body. The Thinline features the iconic f-hole, a mahogany body, and two single-coil pickups. Beyond its outstanding pedigree, this exceptional instrument comes from the earliest months of Thinline production. Its mahogany body reveals stunning wood grain, enhanced by a sparkling white pickguard with a distinct shape that lends it an elegance quite unlike a classic Telecaster.
This Telecaster Thinline has a remarkable history that began in 1968 with Donovan. The legendary English songwriter, who helped define psychedelic hippie music and influenced generations of musicians, was the first to call this guitar his own. It gained widespread exposure at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, where Donovan performed on Sunday in front of nearly 600,000 people. He was photographed playing this very guitar. The Thinline continued to appear on stage with Donovan for several years before being acquired by Johnny Marr of The Smiths in the 1980s.
A true icon of British music, Johnny Marr was the rhythmic backbone of The Smiths until their breakup. He purchased this Thinline in 1987 and used it during his time with the legendary band. After The Smiths disbanded, Marr lent the guitar to the new wave/post-punk band New Order, who used it during the recording of their album Technique. It also appeared in 1989 in a live performance of the hit “Round & Round” on the BBC’s Top of the Pops, played by Bernard Sumner. Sumner borrowed the guitar for several years while he and Marr collaborated in the band Electronic, as close friends.
Ultimately, this 1968 Telecaster is without question a remarkable piece of modern music history. Its extraordinary provenance spans over five decades and includes some of the most illustrious names in British music. A true piece of history to discover at Matt’s Guitar Shop!
Johnny Marr
(1963)
Band: The Smiths
Main guitar: Fender Jaguar Signature
Must-hear track: What Difference Does It Make?
As a member of one of the most important British bands of the 1980s, Johnny Marr could easily have surrendered to the wave of synthesizers and relegated his guitar to a background role. On the contrary, he turned The Smiths’ four albums into manifestos showcasing the immense variety of sounds that can be drawn from a guitar — provided one has enough imagination.
Of course, he used the chorus effect typical of the era, but gave it a warm and rounded tone that many others lacked. But his originality lay mostly in his phrasing choices, chord voicings, tunings and capo placements, and his clever, highly original use of open strings. None of his guitar parts are simple, and each one contains ideas that became integral to the song — to the point where something feels missing if they’re not played exactly the same way.
The variety of guitars he used reflects this sonic richness: Rickenbackers, a custom Telecaster, and of course his beautiful 1959 ES-355. After The Smiths split in 1987, he became a sought-after session guitarist, which is why you can hear him on tracks by Beck or Talking Heads. At the same time, he led multiple bands: The Pretenders, then The The, Modest Mouse, Electronic, and The Cribs. But his most compelling musical identity shines through his personal projects: Johnny Marr & The Healers — where he wielded a stunning Cherry Red SG — followed by his solo albums, featuring the excellent Fender Jaguar Signature model bearing his name. A musician like no other, he demands open-mindedness from fans who follow him from project to project.
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