Gibson J-160E Model Acoustic-Electric Guitar (1964), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 202925, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck; spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

Gibson's J-160E electrified flat-top was a fairly successful guitar in its time but is now remembered primarily as one of the iconic "Beatle guitars" of the 1960's. John Lennon and George Harrison both used 1962 J-160E's as recording and touring instruments extensively during the band's early '60's breakthrough period, and this particular Gibson model remains indelibly linked to the Beatles legacy both visually and sonically. This 1964 guitar was built the same year as John's second J-160E, which he acquired in summer 1964 after his first one was stolen during the Beatles' Christmas shows in December '63.

This guitar is identical to Lennon's 1964 model, with specific period features including adjustable bridge with a ceramic saddle with small screw ends, capped amber bonnet knobs, Kluson Deluxe tuners with double-ring keystone buttons and most notably a double soundhole ring pattern, which differs from the 1962 examples the group originally purchased. He used this instrument (and also the band's other, earlier J-160 which by that point was technically Harrison's) on all of the Beatles' recordings from the BEATLES FOR SALE LP through the end of the group, and also for much of his early solo career, by which point the top had been stripped to natural. It is almost certainly this guitar that is famously heard feeding back an extended A note at the beginning of "I Feel Fine"!

The J-160E was originally of the more specialized Gibsons of the 1950's. Designed specifically for country/western performers getting drowned out by their increasingly well-amplified bands, the fairly fancy 16" Jumbo sported the same electronics (a specially adapted P-90 pickup) and cosmetic features as the earlier small-body CF-100E. Unlike that guitar (and all other period Gibson flat tops) the J-160E features a laminated spruce top with a ladder-braced design, Gibson's engineers having found that the decreased top resonance helped reduce feedback when amplified. The J-160 is functional both as an acoustic and electric instrument. Purely as acoustic guitar the sound is thinner than most other Gibson flat-tops with a pronounced midrange emphasis; the sound is distinctive and very notable on many Beatle recordings. As an electric guitar the tone is fairly full if not particularly versatile; quite a few Beatle records feature this sound as well. This particular J-160E is a definitive Beatle-year guitar but also just a nice example of the model.
 
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). A perfectly original guitar with some light to average wear. The top has some typical checking, there is a patch of wear through the finish by the soundhole just above the pickguard some finish worn off on the edges of the neck. The top is very solid but has a noticeable arch, which is almost inevitable with this ladder braced model. There is plenty of (adjustable) saddle and this guitar is a very good player with the typical J-160 sound; crisp and somewhat dry with pronounced upper mids, definitely a guitar with "Rubber Soul"! Includes a nice original yellow-lined HSC. Excellent - Condition.

Item # 6460

$5,750.00