Two rare 1962 Fender Stratocasters, carrying remarkable North East musical history, are set to go under the hammer in Newcastle. The guitars will be offered at Anderson & Garland's Music Auction on June 17.
Both instruments were produced during one of Fender's most sought-after years and are expected to attract collectors across the UK and beyond, thanks to their vintage pedigree and close associations with influential figures from the region's music scene.
Mike Mason's Guitar
One 1962 Fender Stratocaster, formerly owned by Jarrow-born singer-songwriter Mike Mason, is estimated at £6,000-£8,000. The guitar accompanied Mason throughout a career spanning thousands of performances across the country and was used extensively for songwriting, recording sessions and television appearances.
Mason, whose real name was Michael McNally, was a well-known figure on the North East club circuit and enjoyed considerable success with his family act, Mike Mason & The Little People (his sons, Tony and Michael). The guitar is being offered for sale by his wife and sons.
The instrument also carries a direct connection to Newcastle United's history. Mason wrote United, Newcastle United, the club's famous mid-1970s cup final single, recorded alongside players including Malcolm Macdonald, Frank Clark and John Tudor. Contemporary photographs accompanying the lot include images of Mason with Newcastle United players during the recording sessions, as well as Mike Mason & The Little People performing in front of Penshaw Monument.
Norman Levey's Guitar
A second 1962 Fender Stratocaster, estimated at £4,500-£5,500, has equally impressive North East provenance. Previously owned and played by Norman Levey, lead guitarist of Gateshead beat group The Playboys, the guitar comes with a fascinating archive of period material, including a 1965 issue of Beat Instrumental magazine, a programme from Tynemouth's Christ Church Youth Centre and a Tyne Tees Television script featuring the band.
During the early 1960s, The Playboys built a reputation as one of the North East's leading beat groups and were selected by legendary rock and roll performer Vince Taylor to act as his backing band. Following a chance encounter at London's famous 2i's Coffee Bar, the group toured France, Belgium and Holland, performing to thousands of fans and appearing on television in both Britain and Europe.
Vince Taylor was one of the most influential and enigmatic figures of early British rock 'n' roll. Best known for his 1959 hit Brand New Cadillac, later famously covered by The Clash, Taylor enjoyed major success across France and continental Europe during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Renowned for his leather-clad image, dramatic stage performances and increasingly eccentric behaviour, he became a cult figure within the music industry. David Bowie later cited Taylor as a key inspiration for Ziggy Stardust.
Music journalists of the era praised The Playboys for forging their own musical identity rather than simply following contemporary trends, helping establish them as one of the region's most respected groups during the height of the beat boom.
Specialist Comments
Nigel Smith, Head of Music at Anderson & Garland, said: "Vintage Fender Stratocasters from 1962 are among the most desirable electric guitars ever produced. What makes these two instruments especially appealing is the strength of their North East provenance.
"Mike Mason's guitar played a part in the soundtrack of regional popular culture, from working men's clubs to Newcastle United's famous cup final record, while Norman Levey's Stratocaster recalls the vibrant ‘Geordie Beat’ scene that flourished across Tyneside during the 1960s. These guitars are tangible pieces of North East musical history."
He added: "In specialist guitar dealerships, comparable 1962 Stratocasters can command high five-figure sums."
Auction Details
The two guitars form part of Anderson & Garland's Music Auction on Wednesday 17th June, featuring more than 350 lots of musical instruments and equipment. The sale includes over 200 guitars by makers such as Fender, Gibson, Gretsch and PRS, alongside vintage amplifiers, brass and woodwind instruments, concertinas and Northumbrian pipes.
Public viewing takes place at Anderson House, Newcastle, on Tuesday 16 June from 10am until 3pm.
