The Beatles unplugged: a guide to the Fab Four's acoustic arsenal
Most Beatles fans who play guitar obsess over the electric guitars and guitar amps that the band members played through various stages of their career.
However, with the exception of the Gibson J-160E acoustic-electrics that were seen throughout the entirety of the band’s existence, the acoustic guitars that they played don’t get as much attention, even though they played equally important roles in the acoustic songs they recorded, as well as those where acoustic and electric instruments were blended together.
George Harrison and John Lennon purchased a pair of brand-new Gibson J-160E guitars in 1962, and Lennon replaced his with a new 1964 model after his was stolen.
Although a J-160E doesn’t have the most stellar acoustic tone (the Beatles used theirs amplified as often as they recorded it acoustically), it managed to provide a good driving rhythm texture behind the band’s electric tones.
Source: Chris Gill/guitarworld.com
