THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION

With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview

- David Mead

If you're a fan of the late Bernie Marsden, then Gardiner Houlgate Auction Rooms in Corsham, Wiltshire is the place to be on 11 June. With over 250 lots comprising everything from high-end electrics and amps to pickups, prints, posters and other assorted paraphernalia, there's a chance for everyone to snag something from the collection. It's not all upper-tier equipment, either. On the contrary, alongside the vintage Gibson and posh PRS guitars there's humbler fare on offer, including several PRS SES and the Fender Squier Stratocaster you see here, for instance.

When we were given the chance to have a look around the warehouse-sized storage facility that is currently the home of the collection at Gardiner Houlgate, we were spoilt for choice. Eventually, after opening many cases, we settled on a mere tip of the iceberg selection. We also took the advantage of sitting down with Luke Hobbs, the auction house's head of the guitar department, auctioneer and valuer, for additional insight into some of the amazing gear on offer.

1988 Korean Squier Stratocaster

Estimate: £300 to £500

When Bernie went into the studio to record his 2005 Stacks album, he went armed with a whole host of guitars - both vintage and modern - but ended up using this humble Squier for around 95 per cent of the sessions. Reputedly costing him an equally humble £125, Bernie is on record as saying that he found the Squier in a local music shop and picked it up because he liked the colour and that it turned out to be one of the best Strats he's ever played.