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.
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]
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]
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.
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
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)[12]
Gibson SJ-200 In "The Beatles: Get Back", Lennon is seen playing this distinctive acoustic-electric guitar (sunburst finish, floral pick guard pattern and "moustache" bridge decor) on different songs.
Fender The STRAT: candy apple red "Strat" with 22 carat gold electroplated brass hardware bought in 1980.
1963 Fender Duo-Sonic #L22604 Bought from Manny's Music and later given to the band Man's lead singer Clive John's by Mal Evans and was used extensively in Man live shows and recordings.
Höfner Senator: according to George Harrison it was bought in 1960 and used for his songwriting purposes. Later given to roadie Mal Evans.
Guild Starfire XII: Given to him by Guild in August 1966, likely used on a 12-string guitar part on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Most likely used for his home studio, somehow it got to Yoko Ono's second husband Anthony Cox. Currently on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Gretsch 6120: (used on the Revolver sessions), used for songwriting purposes at his home studio but has been in Lennon's cousin David Birch's hands since 1967. Currently on display at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
A 1965 Martin D-28 (bought in early 1967 and taken to India in February 1968)
An Ovation acoustic.
A custom Yamaha acoustic given to him by wife Yoko Ono.
VoxGuitorgan, Lennon had received it as a gift from Dick Denny, the inventor of the instrument. Lennon eventually gave the guitar along with his Höfner Senator to road manager and friend Mal Evans. It was later auctioned.[16]
Sardonyx: a very rare semi-custom guitar built by Jeff Levin with custom electronics by Ken Schaffer. Lennon played the Sardonyx on Double Fantasy[17] and used it in session the day he was killed.[18]
Vox Continental used at Shea Stadium and in the studio. Broke after Shea Stadium. Several other singular and dual manual Continentals were seen in the studio and at John's home from 1966 to 1970.
