I Played Mark Knopfler's Iconic Guitars

[@MarySpender]

*MY TOUR DATES* bit.ly/MarySpenderTour 🎸Learn Fingerstyle Guitar bit.ly/3vfo7mz

[@DaveTheAligator]

Me too!

[@newtonfirefly3584]

@Mary Spender' @MarySpender; Mary Spender this posted video is among Your very enjoyable, Lovely, DeLIGHTful, full of Splender [as Spender with "L" for Lovely] which all four adjectives certainly describe just a few of Your many attributes very well too. 🙂 Am looking forward to enjoying, hearing, listening, viewing some posted personal music, compositions, artistry, etc., too. Side note [correction] in the introduction, the recorded words state "December 21, 2024", clearly, explicitly -> certainly it was actually December 31, 2023 in NYC, correct ? Clearly a simple mistake awaiting the "New Year" celebration for 2024 during that night. All The Best, Sincerely

[@chascoppard]

I optimistically bid £3,500 on the Ovation 12 string. Went for £95,000

[@Seadogstudio]

What you get is to participate, which is great.

[@bkbinj6320]

Gotta start somewhere.

[@donaldcook3112]

. . . And the 6-string Adamas ‘made’ £120,000 including the ‘buyer’s premium’. Both Ovation Adamas’ went for about d o u b l e of a n y other of the so-called ‘trinity’ of ‘Gibson’, ‘Martin’ or ‘Taylor …

[@davidireland6952]

at least you bid m8...nice try 😁👍

[@rickfinsta2951]

yeah my max bid on the Money for Nothing LP didn't even make the opening bid LOL.

[@noxxhound]

Mark Knopfler is my most favourite guitar player of all time. The way he can make a guitar sing is what inspired me to start learning the guitar myself.

[@jameyehrman8163]

Mary - your playing is beautiful!

[@peterlewis5151]

It's great to see you having so much fun....

[@Andrew_dot_pls]

Thank you Mary. Amazing. So cool you got to play these insanely amazing guitars. I've watched this video about 10 times now but I'm sure that number will increase :)

[@MarkusBoettner]

Mary, I hear you! MK wrote the soundtrack of my life, is the reason for me to become a guitarist and write my own music… That said, you, Mary, are an inspiration for me, too, because I bought my Lava ME2 after your review. It has become my main recording and performing guitar - I accompany my men's choir in a number of songs - my most important guitar at the moment alongside my (round-neck) Dobro and my Epiphone Dot Deluxe Blue Burst. Thank you Mary, for your inspiration and for sharing this mother of a wildest dream in this wonderful video. I shook hands with the great late Rod Temperton, and playing these jewels must feel like shaking hands with Mark Knopfler. :)

[@knytestorme]

I can't imagine how amazing an experience this would have been for you, a memory for a lifetime I imagine along the lines of if I were able to ever play any of John 5's guitars. I am insanely happy for you and jealous too :D

[@Cloxxki]

I'm very pleasd for you to have sampled these in such a lovely atmosphere with what seemed like impeccable sound quality provisions. Doing so with Mark there would probably have induced the worst stage fright? ;-) Next up, while we still have Mark around, is finding a way to have him invite you over for tea, talking about his new album and sampling the pieces he wasn't prepared to let go just yet. What can we do to help that happen, assuming you'd be up for it? Uncle Rick gets all the cool collabs.

[@diatonica]

You can be very happy Mary. To have such a privilege is very rare.

[@paulhardy59]

Amazing video, recognising a true legend ❤

[@RichardSteel]

Wow what a fantastic opportunity!

[@509brown]

Thank you for sharing!

[@davidintokyo]

Given your cover of Sultans with Josh, it'd be odd if they hadn't invited you to play those guiters.

[@alanclayton9277]

You feel alright when you hear the music swing

[@naanabsoj]

Ring*

[@dellhell8842]

Knopfler's solo at the end of "Tunnel of Love" is the most sublime guitar tone I've ever heard.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

That one really does stand out, good call

[@johnkluge3421]

Yes. He is the king of tone and tasteful playing on that track

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

That guitar was stolen in 1980! But, mahogany body and Schecter 500 pickups.

[@thevidi0t]

@@lacroix9407 Absolutely.

[@theowaigel8588]

That solo on Tunnel of Love is an absolute masterpiece

[@TR4Ajim]

Mary I still watch your cover of “Sultans” on Frog Leap! Just saying👍

[@joshmackaben4537]

Still watch that and the Sultan's cover with Mary and Josh Turner... Awesome!🤟✌️

[@desguitaresetduson]

@@joshmackaben4537 Same for me : great version singing et playing wise !

[@jonwetherell5214]

Me too best ever cover

[@MrIvancy]

One of the best covers I have ever listened to. Actually it’s how I discovered Mary and started following her even if I’m not that into her music style.

[@mumblbeebee6546]

@@joshmackaben4537same!

[@Deliquescentinsight]

What a respectful, accurate and pleasing video of Mark Knoppfler's guitars, thank you Mary!

[@Frank-wx2ym]

Mark Knopfler was the reason I started playing guitar at the age of 12. The solos in "Telegraph Road", "Tunnel of love", "Brothers in arms" and "Are we in trouble now", etc. are out of this world.

[@MarkusBoettner]

Absolutely agree with you, and I add the solo in Remembrance Day on the Get Lucky album. Mindblowingly beautiful.

[@cedricreymond4828]

same for me and I guess thousands of others....

[@FVT-tn8ji]

I just started to pick up the guitar, partly because I can't get enough of Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler :) I hope someday I can play my favourite Dire Straits songs, it will be a long journey!

[@mediaaccount6218]

Me too, the Alchemy got me good😂

[@mediaaccount6218]

How did you wangle that Mary?... what an opportunity, so jealous 😂

[@CaptChaos1964]

Definitely the best video I’ve seen regarding MK’s collection, I went along to Christie’s 2 days before the auction, it was a pilgrimage, doubt we’ll see any of these again, anyway, I was upstairs checking out the Hofner V2, I turned around and Mark was behind me with a small group of people, unbelievable, I tried to text my wife but my hand was shaking! I will never forget that day.❤

[@dmax9946]

Like this comment if you want to see Fender make the SPENDER-CASTER!

[@DavidLongo22]

Mark is one of the few guitarists who can bring me to tears with the sounds he creates. Extraordinary!

[@jasonlady9535]

Same. Makes me think of old friends, places I’ve lived, good times I’ve had. The Long Road makes me think of my deceased father, and when my aunt passed away last year, Why Worry was the song I played on repeat.

[@richardferguson6893]

Local Hero for me. I can never hear it with out getting a bit choked up at the very least.

[@jasonlady9535]

@@richardferguson6893 same for me. Going Home gets me in the feels, as does most of the Local Hero soundtrack. I played Wild Theme the last time we visited my dad’s gravesite.

[@chrisspittles]

Completely agree, try The War on Drugs... they do the same thing and have been likened to Dire Straits in various reviews.

[@DavidLongo22]

@@chrisspittles I will and THANK YOU!

[@es330td]

So jealous. Mark has been my immediate answer for favorite guitarist since I first heard "Brothers in Arms" when I was 15 in 1986. My Mexican made Fender Strat is the same red because of Mark. Was there some condition that you were not allowed to play any of his music on his guitar? I would have played at least the intros to "Smooching," "Romeo and Juliet" and "Sultans of Swing" if I was holding one of the master's instruments.

[@jacksonhall1446]

If she played any copyrighted music (other than her own), youtube would demonitize the video. It's a shame really... because Mary's cover of Sultans is stellar!

[@es330td]

@@jacksonhall1446 She could have done the intro chord progression from Sultans without playing it in rhythm. Dm-C-Bb-A isn't copyrighted.

[@andrewharper1609]

I would have thought copyright strikes.

[@RobertDePinto]

I don’t even play the guitar and this was fantastic. Always loved Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler. Fantastic video. Thank you.

[@andrewgewirtz8476]

Rudy Pensa clearly played a large part in Mark's guitar history. As you probably know, Rudy's still own's 2 guitar shops in New York; one in downtown NYC and the other in Westchester. Next time your travels bring you to the NY area you should make it a point to visit Rudy at his store. He has some beautiful new and vintage instruments and loves to talk guitar (and it would make a great video).

[@howlinguts]

A family visit to NYC this spring brought a walk through Soho and we stumbled upon Rudy's, just weeks after watching the Knopfler sale online. Howie Scher looked after us and was a gentleman and a delight to meet. It made my day and was the highlight of my whole visit.

[@rogb3199]

Rudy owned the store but John Suhr did all the guitar work. I used to be in touch with John so straight from the horse's mouth. I think John should get the star billing 😂😂

[@mattfreeman2648]

Well done for not playing the Sultans of Swing riff on the Strat - I don't think I'd have been able to resist doing that!

[@Lexcoaster]

Maybe she did, just not on camera. 😁

[@gustaf0902]

Smoke on the water ftw! 😂

[@stonebear]

WOW. The word in my head is "Rockumentary." This has a history professor's precision, a professional musician's enthusiasm, and a squeeing fangirl just below the surface peeking out from time to time, not enough to distract from the piece but to _add_ to it. Bl---y BRILLIANT. (And the fingerstyle bumper music is once again unmistakeable... definitely some Knopfler influence, but also ALL YOURS...) Thank you for sharing the opportunity of a lifetime. I work in the greasy underbelly of this biz, and when I post this at work it's gonna cause a stir...

[@ralfklonowski3740]

You are the perfect person to do this. In some ways, your aproaches to the instrument seem similar, with both of you ending up with a very personal fingerstyle kind of playing. Your presentation was spotless as always, albeit with a strong fangirl glint in the eye that made this vid even more entertaining. I was born in 1965. For me personally, "the" Mark Knopfler guitar will always be the silvery National Resonator that he used on Romeo and Juliet.

[@blackibex]

When I first heard the Brothers in Arms album in 1985 I was feeling otherworldly. Stuck since, the music of Dire Straits has accompanied me my entire life. And yes, it's the soundtrack to my life as well.

[@richtfingers]

Mary, this is an extremely well put together piece, beautifully filmed, expertly edited and as always professionally presented.

[@scratchanitch]

One of my favorite videos to date. For me, the guitar on Brothers in Arms is sublime. It's just amazing how we as humans can write and perform at that level.

[@charleswind8298]

A common theme among the Greats, is that they did “ everything wrong” !!!!!!!

[@Musician-Lee]

I can’t think of anyone better to show these guitars. So unpretentious. Magnificent!

[@ibassnote]

Clearly it is all in the hands, head and heart. Guitars are just tools. But in a great musician's hands they can become incredible windows into a soul.

[@GrantWright-t3r]

Lovely and insightful words !

[@colingrant7355]

Agreed, nicely put

[@Ottophil]

You forgot the 4th H, Health

[@MIDiver67]

I am a long time Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler fan. That said, I've never heard you play before this video. I think that if anyone would have the chance to play Knopfler's guitars, I'm glad it was you. You certainly do his style justice.

[@jaytee8188]

Mary just played how she normally plays throughout the vid, accomplished as ever, but as dull as our English weather.

[@colinkhan2936]

Geez Mary, what an honour to have had the chance to play those legendary guitars. And you did them justice; your fingerstyle technique is beautiful and Mark would be pleased. To play that MK1, the '83 Paul, and that Signature Strat must have been insane. I am officially JEALOUS!

[@nbt3663]

In think about this video, I don't think there is a better more honoring musician to have been given an opportunity to play these renowned instruments. Congrats Mary, you earned it.

[@jasonlady9535]

“The soundtrack of my life” Same, wholeheartedly. I can’t remember a time I wasn’t hearing Mark Knopfler’s music. My dad was a huge fan and growing up it was Dire Straits and Knopfler’s movie soundtracks on all the time, a tradition I’ve continued. Such gorgeous, moving, dramatic music. I’m not a musician but I thoroughly enjoyed this video. What a privilege to play those guitars! It’s great to see his music appreciated and acknowledged.

[@bisarowood]

As I'm waiting for the mail man to deliver Mark's latest LP vinyl this just made my day... I been a big fan from age 16 in France , now 54 I just finally got all the major Dire Straits records and It's still my favorite band of all times .

[@cheyne15]

Arrgh.... 12.35 I've tried so often over the years to correct this. The amp used in recording the song Brothers In Arms in Montserrat was a late 60s/early70s Marshall JTM45 head through a Laney 4x12 cabinet. I know this because I was there and it was my amp! The 'Laney amp' misnomer was accidentally started by Neil Dorfsman, who was the engineer/producer of the album, in a magazine article years ago and never corrected. Mark later bought the JTM45 off me and he still has it. Great presentation though Mary, thank you. - Ron Eve ex MK guitar tech.

[@MarySpender]

Interesting, thank you!

[@rickthelearner5631]

I've been Mark's fan since 1997 ever since I bought the On The Night live album. The Pensa-Suhr guitar was featured on the album sleeve photos. You're truly fortunate to hold and play Mark's guitar, Mary. I can only dream. To hold a piece of music history, it's exhilarating.

[@somedaygibson6894]

Mary, we have been living vicariously through your musical journey for sometime now, because you are so relatable. (Except of course, for your exceptional talent. )Another great installment. Thanks.

[@GnomeOrMrNiceGuy]

Brilliant video. You gave the instruments their own voice with your playing rather than trying to emulate Mark’s music. I think this helped demonstrate the differences between them rather than being distracted with “ooh it’s THAT MK song.” This is possibly the best video I have seen reviewing ‘significant’ instruments belonging to artists. Marvellous, and thank you.

[@AnseloSilver]

I was there and I saw you there recording this video, I thought you were a reporter but now I see more of you KZbin channel. A small of group and I had the pleasure of playing several of the guitars from this collection that day,... it made my day or it made my year!!! no luck for me on the auction day.

[@theoptimist9094]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for for DECADES! Amazing to hear the guitars in pure form and your pieces were just sublime. Suffice to say I’m jealous as anything but this was the perfect showcase! Thank you!!!!!

[@johnmcevoy3598]

Note how bright and clear the '59 LP is. Lovely playing as always, Mary.

[@edt3874]

What a fantastic and captivating watch, thank you! I will forever be envious of playing those beauties.

[@stephenlawson9877]

Sad thing is most of these instruments will just be hung on the wall never to be played again

[@TomMarvan]

I had the pleasure of running into Mary at Christie’s in London on the day of the auction and had a delightful chat while we queued for our auction paddles. Mary graciously thanked me for watching her channel and I did not have the chance to thank you, Mary, for your wonderful channel. A massive congratulations on your tremendous success, for this lovely, lovely video, and for the little chat! It was a great day.

[@caryconover]

This was a dazzling tour of a great collection. And your playing was entrancing!

[@JD-xh3ex]

whatever you played on the '59 LP.... was beautiful . Loved it.

[@mrinvader]

omg yes... and her runs were amazing all the way through!

[@63sgjunior]

Outstanding video Mary. Showing off the guitars and your talents was a stroke of genius.

[@tusker4954]

Wow! What a brilliant Video! Thank you @MarySpender. He (and you) are my heroes x

[@vaughnrobinson5933]

I’m not familiar with what you were noodling around with on Mark’s guitars, but, it brought me to tears each time you picked one up. Thank you for letting me know I’m still alive.

[@andrewharper1609]

My Dad was a major fan and used to put Dire Straits on almost every week when we used to drive out to my grandparents place on Sundays. I miss those times, they were simpler.

[@oraculodasacerdotisa]

I think and can say with certainty that you made our dreams come true by playing MK's guitars. I told a musician friend last week that my wish as a fan and knowing the sound of most of these guitars is that they are in the right hands, preferably musicians who will make them "cry and sing" for years to come.

[@FxnWaySheGoes]

Amazing, these guitars have provided me with fantastic sounds over the years, so lucky you got to play them!

[@WimBirdsman]

OMG MARK IS ONE OF MY FAV GUITARIST AND MY FAV KZbinR GO PLAY GUITAR OF MARK. I CANT BELIEVE IM SO HAPPY!!!! :)

[@dtkincaid]

What lovely playing, Mary. You certainly did justice to those iconic guitars.

[@THE______TRUTH]

Not gonna lie Mary, the main reason I subscribed to you is to watch your guitar and gear reviews. Nobody does it like, you. So much appreciation for the entire art of playing guitar. I love it and I find it weirdly relaxing.

[@scottgarner7290]

Great to see this finally up on KZbin- great production values very well written. So awesome you could share this experience with us.

[@davesuniverse5385]

Mark will always be my favorite 6 string Hero. I’ve seen him live in concert so many times, & going back to a time when Dire Straits first ‘hit the scene’. He’s always captivated me with his guitar presence & expression. Often as if he were just a mere observer of what he was singing about. All part of his personality that was formed in his younger adult years as a news reporter. In any case, all a perfect balance with his authentic vocal story telling. Always with a casual & subtle, yet wholesomely reserved lyrical emotion. I always found that he was a master at letting the guitar express his underlying emotional currents. One of my favorite shows was when I lived in Bucks county PA & he made the Sailing To Philadelphia tour at Tower Theater Philadelphia. How appropriate... 😉 The Last time I saw him was in Montreal in 2019 & he was still the capable & consummate 6 string gunslinger. I saw him numerous times in between & was always amazed. I somehow almost always managed to get amazing seats up close within the first 10 - 20 rows. I almost think that he may have recognized seeing me at numerous concerts over the years & often make eye contact while I cheer him & his band mates on. Regardless of the seating it was always an incredible show, even after only being able to get ‘nosebleed’ seats at the Onondaga War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, & after just returning home from a semester abroad in Europe. Cheers to MK & congrats on being able to feel some of that history in your own hands. Truly magical isn’t it 😉

[@pierlo5274]

This video made my day... your elegance, your voice, your science of guitar and the extreme pleasure to see you coming alive each time you start to play... You're a Lady, Madame Spender !

[@Zippy1415]

How incredibly cool that you got to play those guitars! Thanks for the most interesting descriptions also. Joy!

[@Allguitarinfo]

Awesome that you saw these and "Played" them. However Asking WHY would you play the guitars with the the same chording and fingerings .. ..not ONE SINGLE first position chord to hear the guitars ring out. the strings barely got touched..bummed..they are Rock N Roll machines NOT PARLOR guitars ..just sayin ..i woulda Rocked and Rolled that 59 Suhr ,and Strat like IT WANTED TO BE PLAYED ....lol..

[@merseybeat1963]

Mary..the 1983 Gibson Les Paul Standard Reissue Serial #006 you played. This is in 1983.. I worked on 7th Avenue at my dads Deli near 48th Street. My brother was going to 48th Street almost every day to see what was new at the guitar stores. These first Gibson 59" Reissue Les Pauls went to Manny's. There were 12 of them (0001 thru 0012) I went down there right away and the great sales guy we knew Benny said to me, most are sold going to Japan..there are two left. The one on display and the one still in box. I said I'll take the one in the box. Opened it, looked at it and bought it. It was Serial #0011. The one Mark Knopfler got was one of these first 12 reissue guitars, either the last one at Manny's, or one of the ones I was told were going to Japan. Mark Knopfler was in the neighborhood back then as I served him one evening he had a Tennis Racket on his back and was ordering chicken for his wife. My wife got his autograph.Nice guy. His Fiancé's family had taken care of the Plaza Hotel since before the Beatles first visit to America and her brother used to walk all the way over to order food from us (he was the nicest guy) and I was amazed to ask him about the Beatles visit. Manny's was good to hold back at least two those guitars to sell locally. I ended up selling that guitar through Mandolin Brothers 15-20 years later.

[@octopi9]

Lucky You. Knopfler'z the reazon I ztarted playin' guitar. (excuze my uze of the 'Z' key, i've juzt worn the one out between A & D-haha) Damn i'd die for that Penza! Check out the Zultanz of Zwing zolo'z from Bazel, Zwitzerland, 1992. Awezome. Waz the mizzion of my life to perfect theze!😘

[@Fontsman-14]

Bonkers money. Hope they are not just locked away as an investment. A guitar should be played and not mothballed.

[@andresilva8444]

I reckon that quartet of yours (GuitarMary, BassMay, DrumsMary & YokoMary) covered some Romeo & Juliet or Fade to Black or something? I wanted to go to the London preview but was out of the country at the time. One of my top influences, Old Mark

[@JC-KeepSmiling]

The tone of that Strat! 😍

[@derkiwi151]

“The Soundtrack to my life”. I like that. I could say the same. Thank you Mr Knopfler

[@maxpower571]

I am going crazy? Why didn’t you play Dire Straits songs on those guitars? What a wasted opportunity. That atonal plucking was a massive disappointment.

[@lukemckeelofficial]

Mary - thank you for making this. It genuinely brought me to tears. Ever since the day I first heard his music, Mark has been - and continues to be - my absolute favorite guitarist of all time. By a long shot. And easily one of my most cherished songwriters. I listened to "Brothers In Arms" again the other day after a long hiatus from that song, and it still *utterly* disarmed me. Just like every other time. That song is not beautiful. It is beauty embodied. As a fellow and forever Knopfler nerd...I salute you. Cheers 💜😌

[@morgant5160]

Thank you for taking us on the journey that was an amazing experience and your playing sounded great.

[@Vimps69.]

Congratulations Mary on getting to play such iconic instruments, and thank you for taking us along on your journey.

[@jonathanbarton1062]

Nice to hear Mary the lovely clean sounds from the guitars

[@mrmuttley]

The Pensa-Suhr would be the one I would have brought if I had the money.

[@perthyren601]

Incredible guitar players should be playing incredible guitars 🥰

[@ptjww9455]

Mark is the reason why I picked up the guitar. I grew up listening on and on to "Communiqué", which I think is their best sounding album, guitar-wise. But honestly, I'm surprised he decided to part with the Pensa-Suhr Mk1, as this instrument was so closely associated with him...and as he even called it "the love of his life". Strange way to treat the love of your life!!

[@iorch82]

Interestingly he kept for himself the Pensa MK2 and the black Pensa Suhr. I think it was a question of $$$$$ and market value.

[@shoominati23]

No joke, I thought Mary was about to have her Van Halen moment with that early Suhr 😂

[@richard3542]

The guitars don’t sound like Mark’s guitars

[@glengamble526]

That’s cause he’s not playing them. Every guitarist’s sound is informed by their touch.

[@NicoBellisarioMusic]

100k for a signature fender. Ok

[@snoopaka]

Mary, what a terrific video! I love the history, stories, and beautiful music. Two thumbs up for sure.

[@urbanslamal4900]

I absolutely love everything about this video!

[@mrinvader]

how did you hold it together when playing these????

[@josephhughes9490]

Mary you are the luckiest woman on the face of this earth for getting that opportunity. I am eternally jealous beyond words. In the great words of Mark " I should've learned to play the guitar 🎸 😂. And I did. Fantastic video Mary.

[@joewright7723]

This is fascinating. Wish I had gone to see these guitars.

[@midiman5045]

Great video Mary thanks for the info.

[@justcarcrazy]

I don't care what instrument made by whoever it is, it is the player that makes the music. And you, Ms Spender, are as skilled as any of your heroes.

[@warrengently6418]

Whenever someone like Mark Knopfler auctions off their lifetime collection of guitars it makes me feel the end is near and thus melancholy over the fact that these guitars will not be heard in their hands again.

[@WestCoastProf]

Your songs sound great on those guitars. Thanks for sharing this experience.

[@willmcbride4435]

Jaw dropping all around. Fantastic guitars. Owned by a legendary influential musician. Once in a lifetime opportunity to play (several!😮) Perfect guitar playing. A++

[@JurBols477]

I thought I had to say... its not the guitar... I hear Mary playing - of course Mary is there but the Mark Knopfler vibe is unmistakably there! I had the honor to shake Mark Knopflers hand and look him in the eye for a moment and thank him for his music - what an amazing man he is.

[@Wk193]

I went to see the guitars in London. It was so great. I was in there for about 3 hours. Pure butterflies in my stomach the whole time.

[@rustythoughts]

I just hope at least some of them end up in museums or even the hands of playing musicians rather than locked in investors vaults.

[@kaleomk]

Wow what a review! Thank you Mary

[@hinze55555]

In what heaven have you been there…. The video brings these vibes over too us tiny guitar ants 🤪👍👍👍👍

[@thebiblioholic]

Wow. That must have been an amazing experience.

[@morrisvanson3015]

What a privilege to be let loose on some of Mark Knopfler's guitars. The stuff dreams are made of .... 🩵

[@topgazza]

Watching play those guitars was a real joy. Superb