J-160E · Acoustic
J-160E
An acoustic-electric dreadnought designed to be played amplified, with a laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, and a single-coil magnetic pickup. Famous as John Lennon's stage acoustic.
Quick Specs
- Model Family
- J-160E
- Production Years
- 1954–Present
- Body Shape
- Square Shoulder Dreadnought
- Neck Profile
- Round C
- Scale Length
- 24.75"
- Nut Width
- 1.725"
- Fingerboard
- Rosewood
- Pickups
- S
- Typical Weight
- 5 lbs
- Country of Origin
- USA
Overview
An acoustic-electric dreadnought designed to be played amplified, with a laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, and a single-coil magnetic pickup. Famous as John Lennon's stage acoustic.
Body
- Body Shape
- Square Shoulder Dreadnought
- Body Material
- Laminated Mahogany (back & sides)
- Top Material
- Laminated Spruce
- Binding
- Cream (top)
Neck
- Neck Material
- Mahogany
- Neck Profile
- Round C
- Thickness Notes
- —
- Fingerboard
- Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius
- —
- Scale Length
- 24.75"
- Nut Width
- 1.725"
- Number of Frets
- 20
- Fret Type
- Medium
Pickups & Electronics
- Neck Pickup
- —
- Bridge Pickup
- Single-Coil Magnetic
- Configuration
- S
- Controls
- 1 Volume, 1 Tone
Hardware
- Bridge
- Belly Up
- Tailpiece
- —
- Tuners
- Grover Vintage Open-Gear
Weight & Feel
- Weight Minimum
- 4.5 lbs
- Weight Maximum
- 5.5 lbs
- Typical Weight
- 5 lbs
- Left-Handed Available
- No
Who Is It For?
Players who want a vintage-style acoustic-electric for stage use with an amplified, plugged-in voice.
Strengths
Designed to be played amplified; classic stage-acoustic voice; John Lennon association.
Things to Consider
Laminate construction is less resonant unplugged; niche amplified acoustic tone.
Production History
- Production Years
- 1954–Present
- Country of Origin
- USA
- Notes
- Introduced in 1954 as an acoustic-electric dreadnought built to be played through an amp; famously used by John Lennon.
Similar Models
J-45
1942–Present- Family
- J-45
- Neck
- Round Shoulder C
- Weight
- 4.5 lbs
Gibson's iconic round-shoulder dreadnought, with a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Warm, dry and direct, it has been the working musician's acoustic since 1942.
Hummingbird
1960–Present- Family
- Hummingbird
- Neck
- Round C
- Weight
- 5 lbs
A square-shoulder dreadnought with a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a distinctive floral pickguard. Brighter and more strident than the J-45, with a strong strumming voice.
ES-335
1958–Present- Family
- ES
- Neck
- 60s SlimTaper
- Pickups
- HH
- Weight
- 8 lbs
The original semi-hollowbody — warm, woody resonance with the feedback resistance of a center block. A versatile classic.
Common Questions
- What is the J-160E?
- An acoustic-electric dreadnought designed to be played amplified, with a laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, and a single-coil magnetic pickup. Famous as John Lennon's stage acoustic.
- Who is the J-160E best for?
- Players who want a vintage-style acoustic-electric for stage use with an amplified, plugged-in voice.
- What neck profile does the J-160E have?
- The J-160E features a Round C neck profile. Learn more about the Rounded C.
- How much does the J-160E weigh?
- The J-160E typically weighs around 5 lbs.
- Is the J-160E still in production?
- Yes, this model is currently produced.
Source notes: Sample data — verify specifications before publication.