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Solo forums => John Lennon => Topic started by: on November 27, 2008, 03:55:01 PM

Title: Lennon's guitars
Post by: on November 27, 2008, 03:55:01 PM
okay, since Lennon became my favourite musician he was also IMO greatest rhythm guitarist. "twist and shout", "revolution" etc are masterpieces so I wanted to make this thread of his guitars.

some photos, if somebody have more, please post in this thread, thank you  :)

Rickenbacker 325 (black)
(http://www.musicroom.com/images/catalogue/fullsize/BA20.jpg)
(http://www.celebrityrockstarguitars.com/rock/lennon_files/RicLennonBlack.jpg)
(http://www.miniguitars.com/acatalog/lennon_rickenbacker_325_black_fs.jpg)
(http://www.guitarsandeffects.com/guitarimages2008/rickenbacker_325v59lennon/rickenbacker_325v59blacklennon_005.jpg)
(http://www.hedshopboys.com/sitebuilder/images/325V63_Close-338x454.png)
(http://www.hyperactivepc.com/beatledom/beat1.jpg)
(http://www.carverdoug.com/guitars/images/john_lennon_02.jpg)

Gibson "John Lennon" Les Paul Custom
(http://www.modernguitars.com/imagefiles/gibson/lennoninspired.gif)
(http://images.guitarsale.com/products/full/Gibson/759431.jpg)
(http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/6/5/0/505650.jpg)
(http://cucharasonica.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/untitled.JPG)
(http://www.guitarsite.com/news/images/guitar/Lennon-LPJ-detail-2.jpg)
(http://www.klik-n-shop.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/Lenon-body.jpg)
(http://www.klik-n-shop.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/Lenon-fulcndy.jpg)
(http://www.kgsr.com/EI/T/Pics/Channels/KGSR/john%20lennon-001.jpg)

Epiphone Casino (white)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/2434616808_d60c34daf0.jpg)
(http://www.sorouche.com/journal/uploads/entries/LennonGuitar.jpg)
(http://andyleewhite.com/images/johnepiad.jpg)
(http://www.coolguitarz.com/images/guitars/100_1566.jpg)
(http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/7/7/1/274771.jpg)
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p312/JERMDADDY/Epiphone%20Archtop/CasinoArchTopnatural.jpg)

1965s  Epiphone Casino
(http://www.guitarfact.com/graphics/EpiphoneCasino.jpg)
(http://andyleewhite.com/images/john.bmp)
(http://apple-scruffs.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/epiphone-casino3.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/jlcasino.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/casinoback.jpg)

1961s Fender Stratocaster (strat)
(http://www.geocities.com/guitarists.gear/images/jl_strat.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/johnstrat67.jpg)
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p312/JERMDADDY/fender%20american%20electrics/62stratturquoise003.jpg)

Epiphone EJ160E
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p312/JERMDADDY/epiphone%20acoustics/1.jpg)
(http://www.beatles-revival.cz/fotky/Epiphone-John-Lennon.jpg)
(http://www.axeheaven.com/Images/ProductImage_1038.jpg)

gibson sg
(http://www.abcsounds.co.uk/images/gibson-sg-standard.jpg)
(http://www.millionyen.com/images_java/instruments/guitars/GibsonSG.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Gibson_SG_Special_Faded.jpg)

1964s Gibson J-160E
(http://www.thecanteen.com/foolgib2.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/j160-2.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/herejohn.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/jlgibson.jpg)

Ramirez A-1
(http://www.thecanteen.com/jlramirez.jpg)

Framus 12-string "Hootenanny" acoustic
(http://www.beatlweb.com/instrumentos/imagenes2/Framus%2012-%20string%20-Hootenanny-%20acoustic.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/framus2.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/framus.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/johnframus.jpg)

Gretsch 6120 (Nashville)
(http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/prodimages/1964%20chet%20atkins%20nashville%20large.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/gretsch3.jpg)

"Russian" acoustic
(http://www.thecanteen.com/bellrussian3.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/russians.jpg)

Guild Starfire XII
(http://www.thecanteen.com/guild.jpg)
(http://www.vintage-guitars.se/1966_Guild_Starfire_IV_cherry.jpg)

1966s Vox Kensington
(http://www.thecanteen.com/voxcustom.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/kensington03.jpg)

1965s Martin D-28
(http://www.thecanteen.com/jlmartin02.jpg)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Jane on November 27, 2008, 09:04:39 PM
Thank you for the treat!
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: HeyJude18 on November 27, 2008, 11:39:05 PM
The white Epiphone's always been my favourite :) Thanks for the pics!!
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Kaleidoscope_Eyes on November 27, 2008, 11:51:09 PM
A treat indeed!
Love the Gibson J 160-E!
Very cosmic  8)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: freakchic9 on November 28, 2008, 02:09:17 AM
Framus 12-string "Hootenanny" acoustic.

HOOTENANNY!
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Kaleidoscope_Eyes on November 28, 2008, 06:41:14 AM
^ Yea, you gotta wonder sometimes eh?  :P
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: colleengirl95 on November 30, 2008, 02:29:43 AM
That's a lot of guitars.... but there's one that really caught my attention the Gibson John Lennon Les Paul custom did i geet the name right ? I dunno why i liked it  :)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: BlueMeanie on November 30, 2008, 10:56:52 AM
When did he play an SG?
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: on November 30, 2008, 11:06:35 AM
Quote from: 483
When did he play an SG?

I haven't many sources, but during "hey bulldog" or "lady madonna" sessions he used that guitar, in both videos of "hey bulldog" and "lady madonna" he was seen with that guitar, but I guess it was probably George's guitar, I don't know really, maybe George was the only who used sg maybe not.
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: on November 30, 2008, 11:30:26 AM
okay here some more what I forgot to put in this thread, some oldness:

Gallotone Champion (one of his first guitars)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/gally1.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/quarry.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/galla1.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Gallotone_Champion_guitar_body.jpg/180px-Gallotone_Champion_guitar_body.jpg)
(http://www.mimmorapisarda.it/Beatles/GALLOTONE%20CHAMPION.jpg)

Hofner Club 40
(http://www.thecanteen.com/club5.jpg)
(http://www.thecanteen.com/club40b.jpg)
(http://www.weirdvintageguitars.com/hofner/hofner_images/hofner_020_r1_c1.jpg)
(http://www.mandoweb.com/78-7389.jpg)

1960s Hofner Senator
(http://www.thecanteen.com/hof.jpg)
(http://www.johnjohnrecords.com/img/myguitars/hofner.jpg)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Penny Lane on November 30, 2008, 12:00:12 PM
Great thread...so detailed!  Thanks for sharing it with us.

Cynthia Lennon mentioned that John had a black Yahama guitar with a pearl dragon design.  Their son Julian loved it; it was his favorite guitar out of his father's collection.  Do you have a pic of that?

Also...  I hope you will consider doing a Paul McCartney guitar thread too, if you can.  I've always been head-over-heels in love with his Hofner viola bass, but I know he has other guitars as well.   :)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: on November 30, 2008, 12:57:24 PM
Quote from: 1620
Great thread...so detailed!  Thanks for sharing it with us.

Cynthia Lennon mentioned that John had a black Yahama guitar with a pearl dragon design.  Their son Julian loved it; it was his favorite guitar out of his father's collection.  Do you have a pic of that?

Also...  I hope you will consider doing a Paul McCartney guitar thread too, if you can.  I've always been head-over-heels in love with his Hofner viola bass, but I know he has other guitars as well.   :)


Julian with the John's yamaha guitar. he looks awesome, though I thought that he is Sean in this photo:
(http://bp3.blogger.com/_KonjJtJ10io/Ru3D0V7L1dI/AAAAAAAABB8/cuNahV54bws/s320/julianyamaha.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/YAMAHA_Dragon_Guitar.jpg)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: colleengirl95 on November 30, 2008, 01:11:42 PM
cool guitar! :)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Penny Lane on November 30, 2008, 08:49:45 PM
Thanks for posting the pic of the dragon guitar! :)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Jane on November 30, 2008, 09:40:06 PM
How beautiful they all are! You do know a lot! Are you a connoisseur of guitars? Which guitar do you yourself play?
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: on December 01, 2008, 11:58:02 AM
Quote from: 1393
How beautiful they all are! You do know a lot! Are you a connoisseur of guitars? Which guitar do you yourself play?

well, I'm just a beginner so far. I really love playing with the guitar, but I don't have a much time to learn those chords. I have two guitars, one acoustic (Fender DG-5BLK) and one electric (black strat). my dream is gibson les paul with Jimmy Page's signature. I know it's impossible, it's hard to find and it costs some bucks (I mean many... MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY bucks, more than a bucks, by far more)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Casbah on December 01, 2008, 01:57:42 PM
Actually, the "White" Epiphone that is referred to here in this thread is actually the sunburst guitar that you see later on in the thread. John had the sunburst guitar sanded down to the bare wood,  since he had heard it would improve the tone. He then had a thin layer of lacquer sprayed on it. So it's actually a natural wood finish.


Another point is the 2nd picture of the 325 is a 12-string version of the 325 that John owned, but rarely played. You can hear it on the opening and lead of "Every Little Thing" Or so I've read.

This is a fantastic thread! Thanks for putting it together :)

Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Bobber on December 01, 2008, 02:29:45 PM
This book (Beatle Gear by Andy Babiuk) must be a treasure for you. It's discussed in here: http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/m-1130877014/
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Xose on December 22, 2008, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: 1458
...Ramirez A-1
([url]http://www.thecanteen.com/jlramirez.jpg[/url])...


Sorry, but I'm afraid this is not a Ramirez.

This one is a Ramirez:

Quote from: 1458
...Jose Ramirez Guitarra de Estudio
([url]http://www.thecanteen.com/GeorgeRamirez.jpg[/url])
([url]http://www.thecanteen.com/Bored.jpg[/url])...


...and also is this one:

http://www.hofner.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=38

Best!! ;)

Xose
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: on December 22, 2008, 12:08:31 PM
Quote from: 1785

Sorry, but I'm afraid this is not a Ramirez.

This one is a Ramirez:



...and also is this one:

[url]http://www.hofner.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=38[/url]

Best!! ;)

Xose


why you thought about, that this is not ramirez a-1 and jose ramirez de estudio? I google it and typed on each guitar how did they look, and they looks exactly the same as in those 3 photos with George and John
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Xose on December 22, 2008, 12:39:40 PM
Quote from: 1458

why you thought about, that this is not ramirez a-1 and jose ramirez de estudio? I google it and typed on each guitar how did they look, and they looks exactly the same as in those 3 photos with George and John

I'm afraid I can't agree.

Loo at the details:

1) Roseta (=the ornaments around the hole) are not the same in George's and John's guitars.

2) Purflings (=the edges around the top) are not the same in George's and John's guitars.

3) Bridges are also not the same (=more 'rounded' in the case of George's ramirez, more 'squared' in the case of John's guitar...)

Besides, Ramirez workshop in Madrid says that John's is not a Ramirez guitar (=as it is George's and mine...)

Best ;)

Xose
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Deb on January 17, 2009, 12:58:20 AM
Those are great photos!   I saw some of John's guitars at an RRHF special exhibit, including the Rickenbacker that he played on the Ed Sullivan Show.  
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: raxo on July 08, 2010, 11:29:37 AM
We all know that John used his stratocaster in the studio in, at least, 1965 ...

(http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/7014/86941979.jpg) (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/86941979.jpg/)

(http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4892/76303659.jpg) (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/76303659.jpg/)

(http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5575/75163232.jpg) (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/75163232.jpg/)

(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9678/73839739.jpg) (http://img175.imageshack.us/i/73839739.jpg/)




... and in 1967 (Sgt. Pepper's sessions) ...

(http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3967/pepperp.png) (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/pepperp.png/)




... but how many had seen him playing it on a stage?

(http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/2662/astoria1965.jpg) (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/astoria1965.jpg/)



It's suposed to be a soundcHECK! ... for their concert at Astoria Finsbury Park (December 11, 1965) ...
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: nimrod on August 07, 2011, 09:14:42 AM
What Id like to know is when did John START to play the Casino ? was it Rain/Paperback Writer ?

I know he still used it on Imagine.
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Paul Petraitis on November 23, 2011, 02:49:57 PM
Hi everybody! This my first post at the ripe old age of 61 I'm writing a history of the 60's Blues Boom. But the Beatles aren't a blues band you say. But they opened the door for groups like the Stones, Animals, Kinks, Yardbirds etc who were more blues-based and had the affect of turning us Yanks onto the blues and R&B that was already here in the US. As a guitar player (since 1964)I'm very much into the gear and the backline of the various groups in the different years. Some Beatles sites offer tantalizing bits of gear info but as a historian I want to know more. So imagine my delight when I came over to tour the UK with my band The Richard Black Project in 1994 (our 2nd tour)and I ran into the lads at the old Clissold arms in Swansea (Terry Williams et al) and Clive Johns said "Here Paul, wanna play one of Lennon's guitars?" and he hands me this 1960 Fender Musicmaster, kind of a cream color finish, going a little green with age. I said "I've read all the Beatle books and this isn't in any of 'em!" "Right" he says" this one wasn't in his hands too long, he sold it to a guy down the road shortly after he got it and now it belongs to a guy in Swansea here." As a Beatle fan I'm excited but as a historian I'm skeptical, this is unsubstantiated bar talk...after a few more John Smith Bitters I go up with my bass player Brian and Terry and we play the Pirates "Please Don't Touch" and, as they say, the crowd goes nuts and everyone wants to tell me their best Pirates story which is great. I love Mick Green but I'm still holding this Lennon guitar and it plays great. One pickup, pretty hot, like my old Strat that I've brought along to gig on. I give it back to the owner , remember to take a picture of it while Clive plays it and then back to chatting and drinking. Years pass, we return to the Clissold arms one more time in 1995, when I come back in '96 with my band Paul's Broken Radio we stay pretty much in and around London and don't make it up to Swansea to see my friends or ask about the "Lennon guitar". Fast forward to this year and I'm learning that John got himself a Fender Deluxe amp in October of 1960, but that's when the lads are in Hamburg according to every calendar that I've seen. So I'm wondering ; did John get this Fender (its a 3/4 sized instrument "ideal for students and adults with small hands" says the Fender catalog in 1959)in a "package deal" at Hessey's the week before going to Germany and sell it to get money to buy his first (again 3/4 scale) Rickenbacker? OR did John go to Hamburg and buy his Fender equipment there? There's only one picture that I've found that shows John holding what looks like a light colored Fender guitar and its in the Merseybeat article on  "A Beatle Named George" on the 3rd page. The boys are wearing leather jackets and jeans. Can anybody help me? Does Tony Bramwell remember the Fender?
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: nimrod on November 24, 2011, 12:48:01 AM
this is all news to me Paul sorry I cant help, welcome btw  ;)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Casbah on March 06, 2012, 10:28:06 AM
Can you show us that picture?
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: peterbell1 on March 06, 2012, 02:23:22 PM
(http://triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/archives/images/george2.jpg)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 06, 2012, 09:13:09 PM
^


(http://www.beatlesource.com/savage/1961/61.03.27%2007.02%20top%20ten/06%20unknown/2.jpg)

Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: peterbell1 on March 06, 2012, 09:57:26 PM
A SLIGHT improvement in the quality of that photo there (  ;D ).

In my tiny, useless, grainy image, it still looked like it could be a Fender-type guitar.

In HG's photo it has clearly been "transposed and transmogrified" into a Ric 325!!!!

Back to the drawing board  ;D
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 06, 2012, 10:16:22 PM
You just gotta love Stanley J. Krammerhead III, Jr.!!

But that picture shows us that The Beatles were Joni Mitchell fans...


(http://i43.tinypic.com/t69gk7.jpg)



 ;)
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: peterbell1 on March 06, 2012, 10:35:33 PM
But that picture shows us that The Beatles were Joni Mitchell fans...

I did notice that - very strange, although John seems to be smirking a little, so I assume it's just some in joke of the moment.
What I found more strange was that Beatles have two bass guitarists.
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 06, 2012, 10:48:45 PM
What I found more strange was that Beatles have two bass guitarists.

How else could they achieve the prime cultural exponents of Aeolian cadenzic cosmic stanza form?
Title: Re: Lennon's guitars
Post by: peterbell1 on March 06, 2012, 11:02:41 PM
How else could they achieve the prime cultural exponents of Aeolian cadenzic cosmic stanza form?

I think it was the trousers ...