Australian Guitar

TOP GEAR

IF YOU WANT to imitate the sound of the Beatles by acquiring the exact same models and vin-tages of gear that they used, good luck. The guitar and amp models the Beatles played are some of the most collectible and expensive items on the vintage market today, especially items that match the same exact years, like their 1962 and ‘64 Gibson J-160E acoustic-electrics, 1957 Gretsch Duo Jet, or a 1963 Rickenbacker 325. Similarly, vintage Vox tube amps from the Six-ties fetch a pretty penny, and the hybrid solid-state/tube Vox models like the 7120 and UL730 are exceedingly rare, although fortunately the silverface Fender amps they used in the latter years are still somewhat reasonably priced.

Manufacturers often produce limited reproductions of the guitars the Beatles played, but usually these are expensive collector's items aimed at boomers with large bank accounts. Occasionally an affordable run of instruments will emerge, particularly around notable anniversaries, but these items also get snatched up quickly.

With the exception of the rare Vox hybrid amps and most Rickenbacker guitars and basses (which

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Australian Guitar

Australian Guitar5 min read
Probiotic Rock
The group’s name comes from a buzzword promoted by fitness trainers and doctors. Now, Gut Health is causing a buzz of their own beyond Melbourne’s music community, releasing two EPs and three singles in the last 15 months. After playing industry expo
Australian Guitar4 min read
Tone King Royalist MkIII 1x12 Combo
Introduced nearly 10years ago, the original Royalist was the first amp from Tone King dedicated entirely to classic British tones. Prior to that — both under the sole stewardship of founder Mark Bartel, from 1993 to the early ’00s, and during much of
Australian Guitar3 min read
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom
Epiphone’s latest limited-edition release focuses on a particular 1963 Gibson SG Custom that was special-ordered and obviously treasured by its original owner and is now part of Joe Bonamassa’s collection of prized vintage guitars. Finished in Dark C

Related Books & Audiobooks