South Tyneside rocker's rare Fender Stratocaster with amazing Newcastle United link goes up for sale

The rare and prized guitar of a late South Tyneside musician is going under the hammer - and won’t be sold for less than £15,000.

Bidding on Michael McNally’s 1962 Fender Stratocaster will start at £6,000 but has previously been valued at up to £18,000 – and an international buyer may push the price higher.

His family say there are no strings attached to the sale of an instrument which Michael – whose stage name was Mike Mason – bought second-hand for £30 in 1968.

But they hope it ends up in the hands of a musician and continues to be played and enjoyed rather than stuck in a cabinet by a collector.

Michael, who died in January 2022, aged 79, played the guitar throughout a career spanning thousands of performances across the country.

He was well-known on the north east club circuit and enjoyed considerable success with his family act, Mike Mason & The Little People.

The instrument also carries a unique and direct connection to Newcastle United's history, as he wrote his tune United, Newcastle United for the club.

It was composed in late 1974 for but after the club’s FA Cup Final defeat to Liverpool and was recorded alongside players including Malcolm Macdonald, Frank Clark and John Tudor.

The ditty was not released on 7in vinyl until February 1976, three months before the team suffered defeat in the League Cup against Manchester City.

Michael’s guitar is one of two rare 1962 Fender Stratocasters being offered for sale at Anderson & Garland's forthcoming Music Auction in Newcastle on Wednesday (NOTE – June 17).

The other is that of Norman Levey, who was lead guitarist of Gateshead beat group The Playboys in the 1960s.

Michael’s son Tony McNally, 62, a professional musician, from Jarrow, said: “Dad loved this guitar, but as was the fashion, he stripped it down to the wood.

“It looks great and has been played on a lot of records, and it plays beautifully, the colour of the sound is superb and a good guitarist would value it.

“My mum, Cilla, and brother, Michael, said I should have it when dad died because I’m a professional guitarist. I love it but it’s not part of me.

“It’s not about the money although it would be nice for my mum to go on a cruise.

“I hope it isn’t bought by a collector and stuck in a cabinet. I hope it goes to a real player who plays it and loves it.

“It won’t be sold for less than £15,000 and someone internationally may fancy it. 1962 was a particularly good year for Fender Stratocasters.”

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,

“These guitars are tangible pieces of North East musical history. In specialist guitar dealerships, comparable 1962 Stratocasters can command high five-figure sums.”