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What was John Lennon's favorite instrument?

John Lennon played various guitars with The Beatles and during his solo career, most notably the Rickenbacker (four variants thereof) and Epiphone Casino, along with various Gibson and Fender guitars. His other instrument of choice was the piano, on which he also composed many songs.

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Instruments played by John Lennon

Replica guitars of those played by Lennon

John Lennon's musical instruments were both diverse and many, and his worldwide fame resulted in his personal choices having a strong impact on cultural preferences.

Overview [ edit ]

John Lennon played various guitars with The Beatles and during his solo career, most notably the Rickenbacker (four variants thereof) and Epiphone Casino, along with various 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 [B 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's musicianship went beyond guitar and piano, when he showed his proficiency on the harmonica in early Beatles records. His mother, Julia Lennon first showed him how to play the banjo and encouraged him to learn to play guitar, when they would practice together, "sitting there with endless patience until I managed to work out all the chords".[2] According to Lennon, it was Julia who introduced him to rock 'n’ roll and actively encouraged him to pursue his musical ambitions.[2] After Julia's death in 1958 the instrument was never seen again and its whereabouts remain a mystery.[3] Lennon also played keyboards besides piano (electric piano, Hammond organ, harmonium, Mellotron, harpsichord, clavioline), saxophone, harmonica, six-string bass guitar (either he or George Harrison, when McCartney was playing piano or guitar), and some percussion (in the studio).

Replica guitars [ edit ]

Rickenbacker makes several "Lennon" model electric guitars, Gibson makes a limited-edition replica of his J-160E[4] and an "inspired by" John Lennon Les Paul replicating the modified Junior. Epiphone also makes two "Lennon" edition guitars; the EJ-160e and the Inspired by John Lennon Casino.[5]

Piano [ edit ]

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[6] Lennon's Steinway piano on which he composed "Imagine"

Lennon composed his biggest solo hit "Imagine" on a Steinway upright piano.[6][7] In 2000, this piano was bought by George Michael at an auction for £1.45 million.[8] Later, the piano was on charity tour called the Imagine Piano Peace Project.[9]

Sound effects [ edit ]

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 their baby's heartbeat, for sounds on the Wedding Album and Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions.

Instruments [ edit ]

Guitars [ edit ]

Rickenbacker 325 ('58 model) Rickenbacker 325 ('64 model)

Rickenbacker 325 (four models): His original 1958 model, [10] modified with Bigsby vibrato and nonstandard control knobs, nicknamed "Hamburg." A 1964 six-string model, serial number DB122, nicknamed "Miami." A twelve-string model (similar to DB122), with a trapeze tail piece. Only used a few times in the studio, most notably on “Every Little Thing”. Lennon 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 Lennon's second Rickenbacker had some damage. Lennon used it for home studio use and it was given to Ringo Starr sometime later on. [11]

Epiphone Casino (Revolution model ) John Lennon's Gibson J-160E

Gibson Les Paul Junior

John Lennon model

Gallotone Champion

Hofner Club40 John Lennon Edition

John Lennon's Gretsch 6120 (S/N 53940)

Fender Bass VI

Vox V251 Guitorgan

The Beatles' 1966 Guild Starfire XII 12-string

Amplifiers [ edit ]

Pedals [ edit ]

Keyboards [ edit ]

Harmonicas [ edit ]

Various Hohner diatonic, chromatic, chord and bass harmonicas

Percussion [ edit ]

Headphones [ edit ]

AKG K240 Sextett

Other [ edit ]

See also [ edit ]

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