John Lennon's musical instruments

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Lennon's guitars.

John Lennon played various guitars with The Beatles and during his solo career, including the Rickenbacker (four variants thereof), Epiphone Casino, and various models of Gibson and Fender guitars.

His other instrument of choice was the piano, on which he also composed many songs. For instance, Lennon's jamming on a piano together with Paul McCartney led to creation of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in 1963.

“ We wrote a lot of stuff together, one on one, eyeball to eyeball. Like in 'I Want to Hold Your Hand,' I remember when we got the chord that made the song. We were in Jane Asher's house, downstairs in the cellar playing on the piano at the same time. And we had, 'Oh you-u-u/ got that something...' And Paul hits this chord [E minor] and I turn to him and say, 'That's it!' I said, 'Do that again!' In those days, we really used to absolutely write like that—both playing into each other's noses.[1] ”


Lennon also played harmonica (his first instrument), banjo (his mother gave him lessons before he switched to guitar), other keyboards besides piano (harpsichord, harmonium, mellotron, clavioline), six-string bass (either he or George Harrison, when McCartney was playing piano or guitar), and some percussion instruments (in the studio).

Contents

[edit] Replica Guitars

Rickenbacker makes several "Lennon" model electric guitars, Gibson makes a limited-edition replica of his J-160E[2] and an "inspired by" John Lennon Les Paul replicating the modified Junior.[3]

[edit] Piano

Lennon composed his biggest solo hit "Imagine" on a Steinway piano he bought for his home in England. This piano was bought by George Michael at an auction by Yoko Ono for £1.45 million.[4] Later, the piano was on charity tour.[5]

[edit] Sound effects

Lennon used a variety of sound sources for his songs, such as radios, sound effect records, resonators, and even his own heartbeat. He recorded his, Ono's and a their baby's heartbeat for sounds on the Wedding Album and Unfinished Music No.2: Life with the Lions.

[edit] Instruments

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[edit] Guitars

  • Epiphone Casino (In 1968 Lennon had his sunburst Casino professionally stripped of its paint, removed the pickguard and changed the tuning machines to gold grovers) [6]
  • Rickenbacker 325 (four models):
    • His original 1958 model, modified with Bigsby vibrato and nonstandard control knobs, nicknamed "Hamburg."
    • A 1964 6-string model, serial number DB122 (or the "Miami" model)
    • A 12-string model (similar to DB122), with a trapeze tail piece. Only used a few times in the studio. John used it at home for songwriting purposes.
    • A Rose, Morris model 1996, finished in Rickenbacker's Fireglo finish, and with a standard sound f hole. Used after John's second Rickenbacker had some damage. John used it for home studio use and it was given to Ringo sometime later on.
  • A 12-string Framus Hootenanny acoustic used during the Help! and Rubber Soul sessions and used on Polythene Pam.
  • Gibson Les Paul Junior which was modified with the addition of a Charlie Christian pickup
  • Gibson J-160E Electric/acoustic guitar
  • 1962 Fender Stratocaster finish in Sonic Blue used from 1965-1968, was stolen in 1968.
  • Fender Telecaster
  • Höfner Senator: according to George Harrison it was bought in 1960 and used for his songwriting purposes. Later given to roadie Mal Evans.
  • Guild Starfire XII: Given to him by Guild in August 1966, never saw studio usage. Most likely used for his home studio, somehow it got to Yoko Ono's first husband Tony Cox. Currently on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Gretsch 6120: (used on the Revolver sessions), used for songwriting purposes at his home studio but has been lost ever since late 1966.
  • An Ovation acoustic
  • A custom Yamaha acoustic given to him by wife Yoko Ono
  • A 1965 Martin D-28 (bought in early 1967 and taken to India in February 1968)
  • Höfner Club guitar, used after his Gallotone Champion suffered some damage.
  • Gibson Les Paul 25/50 (given to Julian for Christmas in 1974)
  • Fender Jazz Bass
  • Fender Bass VI
  • Vox GuitarOrgan, John had received it for an advertisement but somehow the deal never came about and John eventually gave the guitar along with his Höfner Senator to road manager and friend Mal Evans.

[edit] Amplifiers

[edit] Pedals

[edit] Pianos & Keyboards

[edit] Harmonicas

[edit] Percussion

[edit] Other

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Beatles Ultimate Experience. Retrieved September 1, 2004.
  2. ^ "John Lennon J-160E Peace". Gibson Musical Instruments. http://www.gibson.com/en%2Dus/Divisions/Gibson%20Acoustic/Signature%20Artist/John%20Lennon%20J%2D160E%20Peace/. Retrieved 2008-02-26. 
  3. ^ Bosso, Joe (2007-08-17). "A Look at Gibson's John Lennon Les Paul Junior". Gibson Musical Instruments. http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/NewModels/JohnLennon/. Retrieved 2008-02-18. 
  4. ^ George Michael buys Lennon's piano
  5. ^ IMAGINE: John Lennon Piano on Tour with Mission of Healing and Hope
  6. ^ http://www.epiphone.com/story.asp

[edit] External links

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