John Lennon’s guitar playing was integral to The Beatles’ sound and his solo work. On guitarplayers.net, we delve into the fascinating world of John Lennon’s guitars, exploring the instruments that shaped his iconic music and influenced generations of guitarists. Understanding what guitars Lennon played provides insight into his creative process and the evolution of his sound, from early rock and roll to experimental psychedelic music. If you’re looking to learn more about guitar gear, explore musical instruments, and find song tabs, join the guitarplayers.net community today.
1. What Was John Lennon’s First Guitar?
John Lennon’s first guitar was a Gallotone Champion. In 1957, John Lennon acquired this acoustic guitar after seeing an advertisement in Reveille magazine. The Gallotone Champion, made by the Gallo company of South Africa, was known for its durability. His mother, Julia Lennon, facilitated the delivery of the guitar to her house, circumventing his Aunt Mimi’s disapproval. According to Sotheby’s catalogue, Julia Lennon allowed her son’s new guitar to be delivered to her home, rather than that of disapproving Aunt Mimi.
1.1 What Made the Gallotone Champion Significant in Lennon’s Early Career?
The Gallotone Champion played a pivotal role in Lennon’s early musical development. It was on this guitar that Lennon started his first band, The Black Jacks, later renamed The Quarrymen. This band’s performance at the St. Peter’s Parish Fete in Woolton, Liverpool, on July 6, 1957, marked the meeting of Lennon and Paul McCartney.
1.2 What Happened to Lennon’s Gallotone Champion?
After The Beatles achieved success, Lennon entrusted the Gallotone Champion to his Aunt Mimi. The guitar was later auctioned, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Olive Mount Learning Disabilities Directorate in Liverpool. Mimi Smith had a brass plaque mounted on the headstock, memorializing her advice to Lennon: “Remember, you’ll never earn your living by it.”
John Lennon's Gallotone 'Champion' acoustic guitar sits with restaurant waitress Jade Wilde at the announcement of the guitar's second auction by Sotheby's in London 24 August 1999 at the Hard Rock Cafe, a special piece of early Beatles memorabilia.
1.3 Where Can You See the Gallotone Champion Today?
After being auctioned, the Gallotone Champion went on display at Boston’s Museum of Fine Art in the fall of 2000.
2. Did John Lennon Ever Play a Dallas Tuxedo Guitar?
John Lennon purportedly acquired a 1958 Dallas Tuxedo. This tobacco-sunburst solid-body guitar is shrouded in mystery. According to Beatles lore, Lennon may have stolen it from another act at a Carroll Levis talent show in Manchester in November 1958, when Johnny and the Moondogs were heading home from Manchester after competing in a Carroll Levis talent show.
2.1 What is the “Manchester Mystery Guitar” Connection?
The Dallas Tuxedo is often referred to as the “Manchester Mystery Guitar” because of the circumstances surrounding its acquisition. Paul McCartney and George Harrison claimed Lennon stole the guitar that night. Lennon allegedly hid it in the loft at Mendips, his Liverpool home.
2.2 Where Was the Dallas Tuxedo Found?
The guitar remained unseen until 1996, when workmen found it in the loft of Mendips, along with two banjo magazines. It was later given to Alan Stratton, whose uncle bought Mendips. Despite lacking photographic evidence, many consider this guitar a strong candidate for the purloined Manchester guitar.
3. What Hofner Guitars Did John Lennon Own?
John Lennon owned several Hofner guitars. He is known to have owned a 1958 Hofner Senator and a 1959 Hofner Club 40. While photos of Lennon playing the Hofner Senator are scarce, the Hofner Club 40 was one of Lennon’s earliest guitars.
3.1 What is Known About Lennon’s 1958 Hofner Senator?
The 1958 Hofner Senator, serial number 4697, was reportedly purchased by John Lennon during his Hamburg days. However, there are no confirmed photos of Lennon playing this guitar. George Harrison verified its provenance in a letter to Lily Evans.
3.2 Where is Lennon’s Hofner Senator Now?
After being purchased at a Christie’s auction in July 2009 for $337,226, the Hofner Senator is now in the lobby at AEI Music in Seattle, Washington. It has also been on loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
John playing the Hofner Club 40 at The Casbah Coffee Club with Cynthia Lennon watching from the front row, before the Beatles existed.
3.3 What is the Significance of the 1959 Hofner Club 40?
Lennon purchased his Club 40 on August 28, 1959, just a day before the first Casbah performance. A hire-purchase receipt from Hessy’s Music shop details the sale to John Lennon, with his Aunt Mimi as the guarantor. This guitar disproves the story that Mimi bought Lennon his first guitar for £17. In 2007, Hofner commemorated their 120th Anniversary by releasing a limited edition “John Lennon” Club 40 guitar, with only 120 made worldwide.
4. What Rickenbacker Guitars Did John Lennon Play?
John Lennon famously played Rickenbacker guitars, most notably the 1958 Rickenbacker Capri 325 and the 1964 Rickenbacker 325. These guitars became synonymous with The Beatles’ early sound.
4.1 What is the Story Behind the 1958 Rickenbacker Capri 325?
Lennon purchased his first Rickenbacker, a 325 Capri model serial number V81, in Hamburg, Germany, in 1960. George Harrison recalled that Lennon was drawn to the guitar because of its short scale neck. Photos taken by Astrid Kirchherr at the Hamburg Dom Funfair in October/November 1960 show Lennon holding his Rickenbacker.
4.2 What Modifications Were Made to Lennon’s 1958 Rickenbacker 325?
The 1958 Rickenbacker 325 underwent several modifications. Originally, it had two controls, but later, Rickenbacker retrofitted it with two additional potentiometers. The guitar was also refinished in black. Ron DeMarino restored and repaired the guitar in 1972, addressing issues with the electronics and wiring.
4.3 Where is Lennon’s 1958 Rickenbacker Capri 325 Today?
The last public performance with the 1958 Rickenbacker 325 was at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1964. The original machine heads and pickguard were later auctioned by Ron DeMarino.
4.4 What is Known About the 1964 Rickenbacker 325 “Miami”?
The 1964 Rickenbacker 325, serial number DB-122, replaced the 1958 Rickenbacker Capri 325. It was delivered to Lennon at the Deauville Hotel during The Beatles’ visit to America. Dorothy “Dotty” Tandle, an employee at Rickenbacker, assembled and finished this custom order guitar.
Lennon playing his Rickenbacker 325 on the Ed Sullivan show in 1965.
4.5 What Happened to Lennon’s 1964 Rickenbacker 325 “Miami”?
Lennon dropped the 1964 Rickenbacker 325 at the 1964 Hammersmith Christmas show, cracking the headstock. This guitar is currently housed in the John Lennon Museum in Tokyo, Japan (though the museum closed on September 30, 2010).
4.6 What is the Significance of the 1964 Rickenbacker 325-12 String?
The 1964 Rickenbacker 325-12 String was used by Lennon in concert at the Boston Gardens in Massachusetts on September 12, 1964. It was also played on a Dutch TV show in 1964.
4.7 What About the 1964 Rickenbacker 325 Model 1996 “Beatle Backer”?
After Lennon damaged his 1964 Rickenbacker 325 Jet-glo, it was replaced with an Export version 325FG by Rose Morris Model 1996. He later gifted this guitar to Ringo Starr.
4.8 How Much Did Lennon’s 1964 Rickenbacker 325 Model 1996 Sell For?
This guitar was auctioned off by Ringo Starr at Julien’s Auctions for $910,000.
5. What Gibson Acoustic Guitars Did John Lennon Use?
John Lennon used Gibson J-160E acoustic guitars extensively throughout his career. These guitars were essential to The Beatles’ early recordings and Lennon’s solo work.
5.1 How Did Lennon Acquire His First Gibson J-160E?
In 1962, John Lennon and George Harrison bought identical Gibson J-160E guitars from Rushworth’s in Liverpool. Due to their similarity, the guitars were often mixed up.
5.2 What Happened to Lennon’s Original Gibson J-160E?
Lennon’s first J-160E got switched with Harrison’s at some point and was stolen at the 1963 Finsbury Park Christmas show. Lennon later ordered two more Gibson J-160E acoustic guitars.
5.3 What is the Story Behind Lennon’s 1964 Gibson J-160E?
In 1964, Lennon acquired a replacement Gibson J-160E, which he took on The Beatles’ historic visit to America. In 1967, The Fool painted the guitar with a psychedelic design, which Lennon later sanded down to its natural finish in 1968.
1964 Gibson J 160E Sanded back to a natural top – Montreal 1969 – Give Peace a Chance.
5.4 What Markings Did Lennon Add to His 1964 Gibson J-160E?
Lennon carved characters of himself and Yoko into the top of the guitar, celebrating their “Bed-ins” in Amsterdam and Montreal in 1969.
5.5 Where is Lennon’s 1964 Gibson J-160E Today?
This guitar is still owned by the Lennon estate and is currently on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
5.6 What Gibson J-160E Did Lennon Gift to Bob Dylan?
Around Christmas 1968, Lennon gifted Bob Dylan a 1966 J-160E sunburst. After Lennon’s death, Dylan gave it to guitar tech Cesar Diaz. It is now on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in NYC.
5.7 How Much Did Lennon’s “Lost” Gibson J-160E Sell For?
Lennon’s stolen acoustic guitar was sold for $2.4 million at auction. This 1962 J-160E Gibson guitar was used by Lennon to record classics such as “P.S. I Love You” and “Love Me Do.”
6. What Classical Guitars Did John Lennon Own?
John Lennon owned a 1964 Ramirez A-1 Classical Guitar, described as a Ramirez A-1 purchased around the same time that George bought his Studio model.
6.1 How Did Lennon Use His Classical Guitar?
John was often seen with George’s Ramirez Studio Model classical guitar at his home.
7. What is the Story Behind Lennon’s 1964 Framus Hootenanny 12-String?
John Lennon played a 1964 Framus 5/024/12 Hootenanny 12-String, purchased in 1965. He used this guitar in The Beatles’ movie Help!.
7.1 Which Songs Featured the Framus Hootenanny?
The acoustic Framus “Hootenanny” was used by the band in 1965 for recordings, sessions, and performances of songs including “Help!”, “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away,” and “It’s Only Love.”
7.2 What is the Expected Sale Price for Lennon’s Framus Hootenanny?
The Framus is expected to fetch $600,000–$800,000 at a Julien’s Auctions sale at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.
8. Did John Lennon Ever Play a Fender Stratocaster?
John Lennon did play Fender Stratocasters, including a mysterious black Stratocaster and a 1961 Sonic Blue Fender Stratocaster.
8.1 What is Known About the “Mysterious Black Stratocaster”?
A photograph from 1965 showed John playing a black Stratocaster with a matching black headstock during a rehearsal at Donmar Warehouse. It is believed that Ivor Arbiter, who had the Fender franchise in the U.K., may have repainted it.
8.2 What About Lennon’s 1961 Sonic Blue Fender Stratocaster?
Mal Evans purchased two Sonic Blue Stratocasters for John and George in 1965. The serial number of John’s guitar is unknown.
9. What Epiphone Guitars Did John Lennon Play?
John Lennon played a 1965 Epiphone E230TD Casino. This guitar became one of his favorites and was used extensively in The Beatles’ later years.
9.1 When Did Lennon Acquire His Epiphone Casino?
John purchased the Casino in London in 1966.
9.2 Which Albums and Performances Featured the Epiphone Casino?
The Epiphone Casino was used on The Beatles’ final tour in 1966 and for the classic albums Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was also used for the stripped-down “Revolution” version, The White Album, Abbey Road, the rooftop concert for the Let It Be film, and his first solo work with the Plastic Ono Band.
1966 Candlestick Park, John Lennon playing his Epiphone Casino.
10. What Other Guitars Did John Lennon Use?
John Lennon used a variety of other guitars throughout his career, including a 1964 Gretsch G6120DC, a 1966 Guild Starfire XII, a 1965 Martin D-28, and several custom instruments.
10.1 What is the Story Behind Lennon’s 1964 Gretsch G6120DC?
Lennon used a Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 during the “Paperback Writer” session. In 1967, he gifted this guitar to his cousin David Birch, who later loaned it to The Beatles Story in Liverpool for display.
10.2 What is Known About Lennon’s 1966 Guild Starfire XII?
Guild gave Lennon a Guild Starfire XII in August 1966, though it never saw studio usage. It is currently on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu, Hawaii.
10.3 When Did Lennon Play a 1965 Martin D-28?
In December 1969, Lennon took this guitar along on a visit to Toronto.
10.4 What is the Significance of Lennon’s 1966 Vox V251 Guitar-Organ Hybrid?
This was a prototype of an experimental guitar that never quite made it. John Lennon was given one in a bid to secure an endorsement. It sold for $305,000 at a Sotheby’s auction on June 24, 2014.
10.5 What Other Notable Guitars Did Lennon Play?
Other guitars played by John Lennon include:
- Ovation 1651-7 Legend Acoustic Guitar
- National Reso-Phonic TriCone Steel Resonator
- Hofner 5140 Hawaiian Standard lap steel guitar
- 1963 Black Fender Telecaster
- 1956 Les Paul Junior
- 1960 Les Paul Standard
- Sardonyx 800 DII Guitar
- Hamer “Special”
- 1980 Red Fender Stratocaster
- Cream Fender Telecaster with a Bigsby style Tailpiece
- Yamaha CJ-52 Dragon Acoustic Guitar
- Yamaha CJ-52
- Fender VI 6 String Bass Guitar
- Circa 1959-60 Beatles John Lennon’s Presidents HOFNER Guitar
- 1963 Fender Duo-Sonic
- 1966 VOX Kensington
- 1957 Hofner Club 50
11. FAQs About John Lennon’s Guitars
11.1 What was John Lennon’s favorite guitar?
While John Lennon played many guitars throughout his career, the Epiphone Casino and the Rickenbacker 325 are often cited as his favorites, as they were used extensively in both The Beatles and his solo work.
11.2 How many guitars did John Lennon own?
John Lennon owned dozens of guitars throughout his career, ranging from acoustic models like the Gibson J-160E to electric guitars like the Rickenbacker 325 and Epiphone Casino.
11.3 What guitar did John Lennon play on “Imagine”?
While there isn’t definitive information on the exact guitar used for the recording of “Imagine,” photos from the “Imagine” recording sessions show a Cream Fender Telecaster with a Bigsby tailpiece.
11.4 What kind of acoustic guitar did John Lennon play?
John Lennon played several acoustic guitars, including the Gallotone Champion, Gibson J-160E, and Martin D-28.
11.5 What guitar did John Lennon use on the rooftop concert?
John Lennon used his 1965 Epiphone Casino on the rooftop concert for the Let It Be film.
11.6 What was the last guitar John Lennon played?
One of the last guitars John Lennon played was a candy apple red Fender Stratocaster with 22-carat gold electroplated brass hardware, photographed by Annie Leibovitz shortly before his death.
11.7 What happened to John Lennon’s stolen guitar?
John Lennon’s stolen 1962 J-160E Gibson acoustic guitar resurfaced after 50 years and was sold for $2.4 million at auction.
11.8 Did John Lennon play a Fender Telecaster?
Yes, John Lennon played a 1963 Black Fender Telecaster, often seen during his performances with Elton John.
11.9 What is the story behind John Lennon’s Sardonyx guitar?
The Sardonyx 800 DII guitar, built by Ken Schaffer, was played by John Lennon on the Double Fantasy album, making it one of the rarest guitars associated with him.
11.10 Did John Lennon play bass guitar?
While primarily known as a guitarist, John Lennon occasionally played bass guitar, including a Fender VI 6 String Bass Guitar.
Exploring the guitars of John Lennon provides a unique lens through which to view his musical journey and creative genius. At guitarplayers.net, we offer a wealth of resources for guitar enthusiasts, from detailed articles and gear reviews to lessons and a vibrant community forum.
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