2010 Gibson 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160E Vintage Sunburst

Gibson introduced the acoustic/electric J-160E in 1954, but the model’s real debut happened soon after John Lennon and George Harrison bought a pair of them in Liverpool in the fall of 1962. Some of the Beatles biggest early hits were written on those guitars; and, although John’s was lost while on tour in 1963, the model has forever become associated with the Beatles star.

In 2010, on the 70th Anniversary of John Lennon’s birth, Gibson teamed up with Yoko Ono to create a trio of John Lennon Tribute 160E guitar models, each based on John’s first 1962 J-160E. Production of this 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160E VS was limited to just 500 instruments, and this example remains in mint condition.

Like the originals, this 160e is built with a ladder-braced plywood Sitka top (for feedback reduction) and features a P-90 pickup in the bridge and top-mounted volume and tone controls. The back and sides are mahogany, the bridge is adjustable, and fingerboard is inlaid with pearloid trapezoid markers. The neck has a low/wide carve and a full 1-11/16” nut width. October. 9, 1940 engraved on the 12th fret inlay (Lennon’s Birthday).

The guitar comes with a serial numbered Certificate of Authenticity that’s signed by Gibson’s then-Master builder, Ren Ferguson, and a Lennon Peace guitar strap. It is in unplayed condition and has just been set-up here at Folkway.

With original hardshell case