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  #1  
Old 11-29-2013, 12:01 PM
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Default What acoustic guitars did each of the Beatles play?

Hello,

I have seen Paul McCartney with a Martin though I'm unsure which model. And with an ovation, also unsure of the model.

First question: What acoustic guitars did Paul, John and George play?

Second question: did any of them play luthier-built guitars?

Thanks.
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Old 11-29-2013, 12:07 PM
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Well, many will chime in with more details.

Paul played an Epiphone Texan. Lennon played rhythm on a J 160e in the early days.

I associate George with a J 200 later on.

I never remember the Fab Four playing anything luthier built during their fabdom.
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Old 11-29-2013, 12:13 PM
FranK_S FranK_S is offline
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Here's an interview with Paul from a few years ago where he talks about some of the guitars he's played. Paul has never been a gear head.

http://www.musicradar.com/us/news/gu...ar-2004-515780
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Old 11-29-2013, 12:17 PM
willguitar willguitar is offline
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These...

http://www.thecanteen.com/fabguitars.html
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Old 11-29-2013, 12:19 PM
000-18GE 000-18GE is offline
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looks like Paul was playing a D-28 in the studio while recording Blackbird.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ItrE0mZQCw
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Old 11-29-2013, 12:24 PM
murrmac123 murrmac123 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Owen View Post

I never remember the Fab Four playing anything luthier built during their fabdom.
There were no luthier built acoustic guitars to be had during their fabdom ...
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Old 11-29-2013, 12:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murrmac123 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Owen View Post

I never remember the Fab Four playing anything luthier built during their fabdom.
There were no luthier built acoustic guitars to be had during their fabdom ...
That's not true. I know that George Harrison, for example, had a Greven.
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Greven OOO (Lutz/Brazilian)
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Circa OOO-12 (European Spruce/Mun Ebony)
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Old 11-29-2013, 01:33 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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To the best of my recollection:

John Lennon - Gibson J-160E, Framus Hootenanny 12-string, Martin D-28
George Harrison - Gibson J-160E, Ramirez classical (reissued as the GH Model), Martin D-28, Gibson J-200, Harptone jumbo (TMK acquired just before the breakup; he may also have owned the Zemaitis 12-string featured on the "All Things Must Pass" by this time as well)
Paul McCartney - Epiphone Texan, Martin D-28
Ringo Starr - Harptone jumbo (TMK acquired just before the breakup; an upgraded version was marketed as the RS-6 until circa 1975 and appeared on the cover of the "It Don't Come Easy" 45 single)
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Old 11-29-2013, 01:53 PM
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Steve--Thanks for that detail--I remember the Zeimitis from All Things. I too wonder if he played it earlier. It's the first luthier built guitar that I associate with the Beatles--and it may well have been played when he was Fab.
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Old 11-29-2013, 02:02 PM
guitargeak99 guitargeak99 is offline
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I can't seem to find the source at the moment, but I remember reading that John and George were given a pair of identical slope shouldered Gibsons in the mid-60's.
There are a number of photos that do picture them with these guitars.
Also, in the early 90's Paul was given an Olson guitar via Phil Keaggy.
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Old 11-29-2013, 03:17 PM
richard1 richard1 is offline
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There is a great website called beatgear cavern which has very detailed info on the Beatles, gear, songs, recording notes etc. and has a very active forum. You will find no end of interesting stuff there.

www.beatgearcavern.com
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Old 11-29-2013, 03:22 PM
kydave kydave is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bho View Post
That's not true. I know that George Harrison, for example, had a Greven.
The Beatles broke up years before John built his first guitar.
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Old 11-29-2013, 03:35 PM
ecguitar44 ecguitar44 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murrmac123 View Post
There were no luthier built acoustic guitars to be had during their fabdom ...
Bozo was building in the 60's.
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Old 11-29-2013, 03:52 PM
000-18GE 000-18GE is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kydave View Post
The Beatles broke up years before John built his first guitar.
Agreed, I don't think John was even working for Gruhn until the late 60s at best. I do think Harrison has a Greven now but he certainly didn't get it during the Beatles' "fabdom".
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Old 11-29-2013, 04:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 000-18GE View Post
Agreed, I don't think John was even working for Gruhn until the late 60s at best. I do think Harrison has a Greven now but he certainly didn't get it during the Beatles' "fabdom".
Alan Marshall (Northworthy Guitars) built a ukulele for George a few years before he died.
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