Gibson J-160E Sunburst (1967, Private Stock)

`67 Gibson J-160E Sunburst, the John Lennon model, original P-90, additional Seymour Duncan soundhole pickup – Meister Ede's tour guitar from Ede's Private Stock and more.

Gibson introduced the J-160E in 1954. It was one of the first acoustic guitars to come with a pickup straight from the factory: a P-90 sits under the top at the end of the fingerboard, along with one volume and one tone control. To keep the guitar from feeding back too easily on stage, Gibson built it with a laminated spruce top and ladder bracing. Neck, back and sides are mahogany. The result is a sound all of its own: dry, mid-focused and assertive, both acoustically and through an amp.

The J-160E became famous through the Beatles. John Lennon and George Harrison got their first J-160Es in 1962 and played them on stage and in the studio on many Beatles hits. Lennon's first J-160E was stolen at the end of 1963, and he replaced it with a newer one in early 1964. He also played that guitar at the 1969 Bed-Ins for peace. That is why many people still know the J-160E as “the John Lennon model”.

Our J-160E dates from 1967 and is completely original, including the original case. The only addition: Ede had a Seymour Duncan soundhole pickup installed as well. So besides the original P-90, the guitar has a second pickup that captures the acoustic sound right at the soundhole.

Ede bought the J-160E completely on impulse, while on tour with Tom Beck in Hamburg. There was some time left between two dates, and this guitar was standing at No.1 Guitar Center. It has been travelling with him ever since. The live photos show Ede on stage with the J-160E.

More photos of the guitar to follow.

An original J-160E from the 60s, the Beatles' model, from Ede's Private Stock.