I woundnt recommend this guitar to any one looking for a good acoustic guitar. John lennons 1962 gibson jumbo j160e guitar the daily beatle. This guitar is actually more versatile than the original, with its solid top and updated bracing. Unlike that guitar and all other period gibson flat tops the j160e features a laminated spruce top with a ladderbraced design, gibsons engineers having found that the decreased top resonance helped reduce feedback when amplified. Unlike that guitar and all other period gibson flat tops the j 160e features a laminated spruce top with a ladderbraced design, gibson s engineers having found that the decreased top resonance helped reduce feedback when amplified. We find out how john lennons gibson j160e acoustic, which was. That new j 45 was a dreamguitar,perhaps one of the finest sounding acoustics ive ever played. The j 160e was gibson s second attempt at creating an acousticelectric guitar the first being the smallbody cf100e. American musical supply an authorized gibson internet retailer has been selected as one of gibsons very few authorized internet retail sites in the united states. To be frank, i have not been impressed by many of the gibson acoustics ive played mostly in terms of fit and finish. John lennons give peace a chance 1964 gibson j160e acoustic guitar history. This reissue model is sometimes called the the john lennon peace model. Epiphone limited edition ej160e acousticelectric guitar. Prince, tom petty, steve winwood, jeff lynne and others while my guitar gently weeps duration.
Or an electric that looks an feels like an acoustic. And ive seen a few positive mentions of the guitar on this forum. For updates on what gibson is doing about covid19, click here. Gibson j160e john lennon peace acoustic electric guitar. Gibson j160e vs std modern classic acoustic electric with case. Its a gibson montana j160e a beautifully rich and robust acoustic guitar, but with an included stacked p90 pickup. The adjustable bridge probably dosent help on the volume either. The j160e featured a 3ply laminated spruce top the earliest models in 1954 were solid, a solid mahogany back, laminated mahogany sides, and a neck that met the body at the 15th fret, allowing room for the pickup between the fretboard and soundhole. Left handed gibson j160e vintage sunburst, solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides. The story of john lennons lost gibson j160e acoustic. Th e j 1 60e was g ibson s second attempt at creating an acousticelectric guitar the first being the small body c f100e. They look basically the same as the vintage ones, but they are constructed quite differently, and do not sound at all the same. John lennon with his 1964 gibson j160e acoustic guitar, replete with two. Though there was a 2009 special edition 750 made which came with a coa and a later john lennon 70th model made in 2010, pricing is roughly the same as the standard reissue.
Derived from the wareras most prized flattops, this acousticelectric guitar yields the perfect blend of punchiness, midforward projection, and tasty harmonic overtones. Ej160e acousticelectric, the house of stathopoulo brings this vintage and hardtofind classic into the 21st century with a solid spruce top for a limited time. The very first models had solid spruce tops, but this was quickly dropped in favour of feedbackresistant laminates. Ive compared my 1971 j 50 to a modern brand new gibson j 45. View online or download gibson john lennon j160e imagine owners manual. Looking very much like the successful j45, the gibson j160e uses the same body shapes, but the construction is quite different.
Gibson flat top vintage acoustic guitars for sale ebay. Gibson john lennon j 160e imagine pdf user manuals. The gibson j 16 0e is one of the first acousticelectric guitars produced by the gib son guitar corporation. Gibson reasoned that they could come out with a larger bodied model based on the combination of the j45 acoustic guitar and the trapezoidal fingerboard inlays of. Gibson j 160 e 1967 sunburst guitar for sale guitarpoint.
Acoustic guitars deliver sound without electronic amplification and through the body of the instrument. The guitars arrived from selmer and were delivered to t. Looking very much like the successful j 45, the gibson j160e uses the same body shapes, but the construction is quite different. John lennons give peace a chance 1964 gibson j160e. Its dosent have the volume of the solid wood j 45, or the cf 100e in acoustic mode. The 70th anniversary john lennon j160e is built in the exacting image of the groundbreaking original j160e of the 1950s and 60s. May 27, 2016 then, one fine day, he discovers he has in his possession one of the most important lost guitars in rock history. The gibson j 160e was originally introduced in 1954 and lennons 1962 model featured a laminated sitka spruce top with mahogany for the back, sides and neck image credit. Excerpt from the new beatles gear the ultimate edition book that will be out october 2015. Vintage guitars info gibson collecting vintage gibson. Over the decades, the j160e has been embraced by a wide range of artists, both classic and contemporary, such as lightnin hopkins, elvis costello, paul weller and john lennon. Gibson flat top 6 string vintage acoustic guitars for sale. Recreated by the luthiers at gibsons montana acoustic guitar facility in periodperfect detail, the 70th anniversary john lennon models are available in three distinct.
Gibson currently makes many variations of the j 200. Sep 12, 2016 gibson introduced the j 160e in july 1954 as its second electrified flattop guitar. The receipt also reveals that epstein paid for the guitar in full almost exactly a year later. Todays gibson electric guitars represent the history as well as the future of the electric guitar. Supported by ladder bracing, the laminated spruce top is designed to resist feedback onstage. Epiphone ej160e john lennon electro acoustic guitar. This is the year maurice berlin retired and his son arnie berlin the in in norlin took over cmi. Although the gibson j160e was made famous by the beatles it does not have that. Epiphone brings back the j160e acoustic pmt online. The j160e was, from 1954, one of the earliest viable and successful electricacoustic guitars of the 20th century. Much as with the design of the archetypal jazz guitar, the es175, just a few years before, gibson applied a great deal of forwardlooking, outofthebox thinking to the design of the j160e in 1954. The gibson j160e is one of the first acousticelectric guitars produced by the gibson guitar. The story of john lennons lost gibson j160e acoustic guitar musicradar.
The j45, as the only largebodied gibson flattop produced through most of the war years, was quite successful. Gibson j160e news newspapers books scholar jstor january 2017 learn how and when to. They are not appreciated or understood by players who prefer the honky sound of a gibson jumboelvis, or a j160, or a dove, because they saw soandso playing one onstage, the same old stratles paul syndrome. The top and back are both laminate, while the sides are solid mahogany. One of the most significant dates in gibsonepiphone history, however, is 1965.
The gibson j 45 is a dreadnought style acoustic guitar manufactured by the gibson guitar corporation. A gibson is the instrument that everyone aspires to own. We find out how john lennons gibson j160e acoustic guitar, which was used to record some of the beatles legendary early hits, resurfaced in california last year, solving a 50year mystery. Gibson used, 1959 j160e sunburst mandolin brothers, ltd. What year was john lennon gibson j160e guitar made. Gibson is the only company that has made industrystandard models in every type of fretted instrument guitar, banjo, mandolin, etc. I have a gibson j160e from the 60s that has seen quite a bit of playing over the years. John lennons missing 1962 gibson j160e guitar in the exhibit clip3 ladies and gentlemen. The j 45 is part of gibson s roundshoulder jumbo line, begun in 1934 with the jumbo flattop introduced to compete with c. Curiously, the j50 does not reappear in the ledger books for more than two years. Great deals on gibson flat top 6 string vintage acoustic guitars. Description one of gibson s early attempts at a production acousticelectric guitar, the j 160e was a roundshouldered dreadnought with a singlecoil pickup installed at the end of the fingerboard. I understand that the j 160e has reached iconic status, thanks to it being a goto guitar for the beatles and some others. The basic concept behind the guitar was to fit a singlepickup into a normalsize dreadnought acoustic gu i tar.
Epiphone has resurrected one of gibsons most iconic acoustic guitars the j160e, made famous by john lennon and the beatles. Can you give me a little history on the j160e and what its value is today. I havent had the opportunity to play any, and im trying to decide if its worth springing the extra money over just getting the epiphone. The j 160 is functional both as an acoustic and electric instrument. The beatles gibson j160e replica by tokai john lennon. Im sure there is a good explanation for why it has a laminate top perhaps greater stability since the 160. Beatle people the beatles albums books about the beatles. Epiphone ej160e john lennon acousticelectric guitar. Early60s gibson catalogues list the j160e as the electric jumbo model hence the j and the e.
A guy, who was an unabashed gibson j45 fan had a writeup on the history of the guitar as part of his thesis for why they were so great. It had the look of a regular slopeshouldered gibson, like a j45 or southern jumbo, but was specifically engineered for optimum use as an electric. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The basic concept behind the guitar was to fit a singlepickup into a normalsize dreadnought acoustic guitar. All models, decal, 2 digit prefix followed by 6 digits. Andy babiuk, author of the book beatles gear all the fab fours. Andy babiuk of beatles gear book fame, recently discovered john lennons. A sacred artifact of pop and rock n roll history, lost forever. It was, in fact, the only guitar which has been featured on every beatles album. We find out how john lennons gibson j160e acoustic guitar, which was used to record some of the beatles legendary early hits, resurfaced in california last year, solving a. May 30, 2011 comparison of the sound of ej 160 and j 160 e. It became even more popular when the beatles chose to use it professionally. The history of napoleon buonaparte kindle edition by lockhart, john gibson.
The j160e used plywood for most of the guitars body. Unfollow gibson j 160 e to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Save money on used gibson acoustic guitars at guitar center. Doc watson, et al and working musicians of all ilks. The new epiphone ej160e is a limitededition version of the legendary gibson j160e, which was popularized by john lennon and george harrison in the beatles. Unfollow gibson j160 e to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Unfollow gibson j 160e to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Gibson acoustic southern jumbo original vintage sunburst. The gibson j series is a line of jumbo acoustic guitars manufactured by gibson guitar corporation. Buy gibson j 160e standard acousticelectric guitar. The gibson version is head and shoulders better than the epiphone version, btw.
Regardless, do not assume that these guitars have any monetary value, because they dont. The gibson montana j 160e is possibly the most important acoustic guitar of all time. Acousticelectric guitars free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Gibson j 160e 1964 sunburst guitar for sale retrofret.
As the author of the definitive book on groups gear, beatles gear all the fab. The j160 is functional both as an acoustic and electric instrument. View online or download gibson john lennon j 160e imagine owners manual. The original j160e was one of the first acousticelectric guitars on the market when it was released in 1954. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. This illustrious guitar, which model is associated with john lennon, is a very clean, first year example of gibsons second foray into the electricacoustic flattop guitar market the smaller body cf100e cutaway came out in 1951. The beatles gibson j160e replica by tokai john lennon,george harrison. Trusted for over 140 years for your paper and memory needs.
Vintage guitars vintage corner gibson brands forums. Some tinkering to the pickup and a three inch crack that has been repaired from treble side of fingerboard from the 15th fret to the pickguard. Whether youre belting out country rhythms or acoustic blues leads, the gibson acoustic southern jumbo original will deliver the goods. Because it was used extensively by george harrison and john lennon on an incredible series of innovative recordings by the beatles during the 1960s and early 1970s. First released in 1954, the gibson j160e standard acousticelectric guitar was made famous by artists such as the beatles. The history of napoleon buonaparte kindle edition by. One of the most iconic of all gibson guitars, this model is associated with john lennon of the beatles, who used it considerably and to good effect on the bands recordings. View all results for gibson j200 at sweetwater the worlds leading music technology and instrument retailer. Find the current blue book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. This guitar features two control knobs, a mahogany body, spruce top, and rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid in. Guitars, blue book of electric guitars, and blue book of guitar amplifiers.
The j160e guitars brassy, highoutput acousticelectric sound combined with punchy, warm acoustic tone accurately recreates the sound that led a musical revolution in the 60s. For the first time in gibsons history it was under the control of college educated bean counters rather than guys who knew the business of designing and building. Gibson j160e reissue 2000s sunburst price guide reverb. I ended up getting a proper j45 actually, in the interest of full disclosure, a j45 rosewood. The gibson j 160e is one of the first acousticelectric guitars produced by the gibson guitar corporation. Aug 22, 2011 recorded 22 aug 2011, comparison of j 160 gibson and ej 160 on a good quality mic. Its importance in beatles history cannot be overstated. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. Oct 21, 2008 the epiphone ej160e and modern gibson j 160e are both very different animals than the 60s j 160es used by lennon and harrison. I have a gibson j160e from the 60s that has seen quite a bit of playing.
The gibson j160e is one of the first acousticelectric guitars produced by the gibson guitar corporation the j160e was gibsons second attempt at creating an acousticelectric guitar the first being the smallbody cf100e. It is generally regarded as gibson s most famous and widely used acoustic guitar model. The guitar came with nickel wound strings, consistent with the way that john lennon used the gibson on which this guitar is based. Gibson is a manufacturer of acoustic guitars, and the vintage models produced by gibson are widely sought for their tone, action, look, and durability. A vintage yamaha fg 160 e acoustic electric guitar, based on the gibson. Contrary to what many players say, i think this guitar sounds great as an acoustic. Originally designed for country musicians, the j160e found favor with the beatles and other 60s rockers. Use this site for a pricing guide and source of information on all guitars.
One of the most famous beatles guitars, used on the recording of every beatles album ever made. The sj200 studio is the lowest model in the line, featuring walnut rather than maple back and sides, chrome hardware, a plain pickguard, natural finish and no fingerboard binding, but it retains the inlays and electronics of the j 200 standard. The story of john lennons lost gibson j160e acoustic guitar. The gibson j160e is one of the first acousticelectric guitar models produced by the gibson guitar corporation. The serial number is 8419xx, but it doesnt have the made in usa stamp. Then, one fine day, he discovers he has in his possession one of the most important lost guitars in rock history. Its a rock solid guitar, stays in tune, built like a train. I have a book, beatles gear that lists every piece of equipment ever used by. Just looking for some opinions on the newer gibson j160es. The new j160e a modern classic the gibson j160e modern classic roundshouldered acousticelectric guitar offers the look and sound of the original with a few modern touches. I ended up getting a proper j 45 actually, in the interest of full disclosure, a j 45 rosewood. Gibson j 160e 1964 sunburst guitar for sale retrofret vintage. Ej160e acousticelectric, the house of stathopoulo brings this vintage and hardtofind classic into. After the war, the j45 flourished on the market and was a favorite of blues players, flat pickers e.
However, lennons gibson was a laminate top instrument that was not really designed for unplugged use. Gibson j160e john lennon peace acoustic electric guitar with case. Maybe this accounts for lennon and harrison ending up with their j160es. Great deals on gibson flat top vintage acoustic guitars. The j 160e used plywood for most of the guitars body. Vintage guitars info gibson collecting vintage gibson guitars. Serial number 92771009 1991 gibson j 160 e, sunburst acoustic guitar, sticker reading matt umanov guitars new york on the back of the headstock. Gibson acoustic john lennon j160e peace acousticelectric guitar. Lost for over 50 years, john lennons beloved gibson j160e was. But i do miss the j 160e and its vibe occasionally.
In fact, the j160 acousticelectric was the only guitar to appear on every beatles album from please please me through abbey road. The guitar in question a gibson j160e happened to belong to john lennon. Jan 20, 2009 just looking for some opinions on the newer gibson j 160es. Gibson introduced the j160e in july 1954 as its second electrified flattop guitar. You will receive this rare and out of production 70th anniversary john lennon series j160e guitar that was signed by sean lennon and used by sean many times in concert. Students of history will note that the pearloid trapezoid pattern was subsequently provided the les paul model gold top starting. It had the look of a regular slopeshouldered gibson, like a j 45 or southern jumbo, but was specifically engineered for optimum use as an electric. Its dosent have the volume of the solid wood j45, or the cf 100e in acoustic mode. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the history of napoleon buonaparte. Gibson reasoned that they could come out with a larger bodied model based on the combination of the j45 acoustic guitar and the trapezoidal fingerboard inlays of the post1945 version of their l50 archtop guitar. One of gibson s early attempts at a production acousticelectric guitar, the j 160e was a roundshouldered dreadnought with a singlecoil pickup installed at the end of the fingerboard. Jul 19, 2011 i have a gibson j160e from the 60s that has seen quite a bit of playing over the years.