Red 333 Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 One possible, even likely explanation is that this guitar was built in 2001 but immediately AFTER Yoko Ono pulled her endorsement on the deal and Gibson Montana was then left with some of these guitars still in inventory... Gibson's arrangement with Yoko Ono and the Lennon estate was in place as late as 2010, when the 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160e's were produced. From the 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160e product page on Gibson.com: "At the request of Yoko Ono, Gibson Guitar is proud to offer three 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160E acoustic guitars to celebrate the legacy of this extraordinary artist. Accordingly, only a very limited number of these handmade acoustics will ever be available." 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160e The Peace models were also "produced in cooperation with Yoko Ono" as it says on the John Lennon J-160E Peace's product page on Gibson.com: John Lennon J-160E Peace Gibson's arrangement with Yoko and the Lennon estate ended much more recently (2014?), which is why the Epiphone John Lennon EJ-160e was only just discontinued and replaced with a non-signature model. There are runs of J-160e's with the same '60s specs (laminated top, ladder bracing, adjustable saddle, etc,) produced from time to time, without the Lennon signature or overt Lennon reference. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Gibson's arrangement with Yoko Ono and the Lennon estate was in place as late as 2010, when the 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160e's were produced. From the 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160e product page on Gibson.com: "At the request of Yoko Ono, Gibson Guitar is proud to offer three 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160E acoustic guitars to celebrate the legacy of this extraordinary artist. Accordingly, only a very limited number of these handmade acoustics will ever be available." 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160e The Peace models were also "produced in cooperation with Yoko Ono" as it says on the John Lennon J-160E Peace's product page on Gibson.com: John Lennon J-160E Peace Gibson's arrangement with Yoko and the Lennon estate ended much more recently (2014?), which is why the Epiphone John Lennon EJ-160e was only just discontinued and replaced with a non-signature model. There are runs of J-160e's with the same '60s specs (laminated top, ladder bracing, adjustable saddle, etc,) produced from time to time, without the Lennon signature or overt Lennon reference. Red 333 Thanks for that updated and more accurate info! It appears then, I was misinformed some years back regarding the Yoko Ono endorsement thing and also the longevity of the entire series. (Next time I won't trust my local dealer's staff for that kind of information.) That guitar in the photos is an oddball...it does lack the stamped serial number behind the head stock. BTW...Gibson Montana claims factory J-160E Lennon models with the adjustable bridge are normally ladder-braced and with laminated tops. An exception would have to be a custom-ordered guitar, not actually from that series and of course the 'standard' models. Fuller's Guitars in Texas also sold a version in quantities for some years, although those 'Fuller' examples lack the John Lennon name on the label and truss rod cover. Not certain about the top bracing configuration on these proprietary guitars, without input from an actual owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Fuller's Guitars in Texas also sold a version in quantities for some years, although those 'Fuller' examples lack the John Lennon name on the label and truss rod cover. Can't be sure how those 'proprietary' J-160Es were braced or what kind of tops, without input from an actual owner. The various runs of Fuller's J-160e reissues had laminated tops, ladder bracing, and adjustable saddles, as far as I Know. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy C. Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 The various runs of Fuller's J-160e reissues had laminated tops, ladder bracing, and adjustable saddles, as far as I Know. Red 333 Hey, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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