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

 This section may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (March 2009)
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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.
    • A Rose, Morris model 1996, finished in Rickenbacker's Fireglo finish, and with a standard sound f hole.
  • A 12-string Framus acoustic
  • 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
  • Fender Telecaster
  • Gretsch 6120 (used on the Revolver sessions)
  • An Ovation acoustic
  • A custom Yamaha acoustic given to him by wife Yoko Ono
  • A 1965 Martin D-28 (bought in 1967)
  • Höfner Club guitar
  • Gibson Les Paul 25/50 (given to Julian for Christmas in 1974)
  • Fender Jazz Bass
  • Fender Bass VI

[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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