Justin Hayward

Hayward owned a cherry red 1963 model. “The first time I played that 335, I knew it was for me. I had one before I joined the Moodies, but had to sell it because I was broke. [The red 335] came from the factory exactly like that. When I first came to the U.S., I met the guys who made it in Kalamazoo.”

"One night, as I came off the stage (and just before I was to get paid) I passed this line of beautiful guitars and I suddenly stopped in my tracks. There, in front of me was a simple, honey coloured D28. It was well used but clean and immaculate with no damage or dings in the body. I could tell by the machine heads that it was from the fifties, but there was something about it that spoke to me (is that possible?). I picked it up and as soon as I played the first chord I knew – this was it – this was the guitar I had been waiting for. I have never been parted from it since that night. It has played on every recording since 1969 and it is my true friend. Whenever I do a session with other guitar players they recognise it’s quality and beauty, and without exception they long for the same good fortune that I had that night in the USA. I cannot find words to describe my feelings for it, all I can say is that I love it deeply. I keep it still in the case it came to me in, and I often think about it’s history before the night when I came off stage and saw it. Who could ever part with it? But it has the best home, and it is treasured. The bridge is straight, no off-sets at all on any strings, but the intonation is absolutely true. It’s remarkable – what superb craftsmanship! It is a joy. My Martin D28."

Hayward got his Guild 12-string from Lonnie Donegan.

Hayward owned a sunburst model which he used on "Ride My See Saw" and the albums ‘Days Of Future Past’ and ‘In Search Of The Lost Chord’.

Hayward playing a Collins D3 in this interview.