Two 1962 Fender Stratocasters with North East Roots Set for Newcastle Auction

Two 1962 Fender Stratocasters, each tied to the North East’s music heritage, will be auctioned at Anderson & Garland’s Music Auction on June 17 in Newcastle. The instruments, valued at £6,000‑£8,000 and £4,500‑£5,500 respectively, are expected to attract collectors nationwide.

The first Stratocaster was owned by Jarrow‑born singer‑songwriter Mike Mason (real name Michael McNally). Mason used the guitar throughout a career that included thousands of live performances, studio recordings and television appearances. The instrument is now consigned by his wife and sons.

Mason’s career spanned the 1960s and 1970s, a period when the North East club circuit was a breeding ground for talent. He fronted the family act Mike Mason & The Little People, which featured his sons Tony and Michael. The guitar was a central tool in Mason’s songwriting and recording sessions, and photographs in the auction catalogue show Mason performing with the band in front of the Penshaw Monument.

The guitar also has a sports connection. Mason wrote “United,” the Newcastle United club anthem released for the 1974–75 League Cup final. The single was recorded with club players Malcolm Macdonald, Frank Clark and John Tudor. Photographs in the auction lot show Mason with the players during the recording session.

The second Stratocaster belonged to Norman Levey, lead guitarist of Gateshead beat group The Playboys. Levey’s instrument comes with a collection of period documents, 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.

The Playboys were a prominent North East beat group in the early 1960s. They were chosen by rock‑and‑roll star Vince Taylor as his backing band, and after a meeting at London’s 2i’s Coffee Bar, they toured France, Belgium and Holland. They appeared on television in Britain and Europe and were noted for their original musical identity.

Vince Taylor, best known for the 1959 hit “Brand New Cadillac,” was an influential figure in early British rock. His flamboyant style and stage presence later inspired David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona. The Playboys’ association with Taylor places the Stratocaster within a broader narrative of 1960s British music.

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.” He added that comparable Stratocasters can command high five‑figure sums in specialist dealerships.

The Fender Stratocaster, introduced in 1954, has become one of the most iconic electric guitar models. The 1962 production run is highly sought by collectors because of its original construction, serial numbers, and the fact that it was produced during a period of rapid innovation in Fender’s design. The model’s contoured body, tremolo system and three‑pickup configuration set a standard that remains influential.

Anderson & Garland’s Music Auction on Wednesday 17 June will feature more than 350 lots, including over 200 guitars from Fender, Gibson, Gretsch and PRS, as well as vintage amplifiers, brass, woodwind instruments, concertinas and Northumbrian pipes. Public viewing of the Stratocasters and other highlights will take place on Tuesday 16 June from 10 am to 3 pm at Anderson House in Newcastle.

The sale offers collectors an opportunity to acquire instruments with documented provenance that links them to the North East’s musical and sporting history. While final sale prices are not yet known, the auction is expected to draw interest from UK and international buyers who value the combination of vintage Fender quality and regional heritage.