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Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by The Beatles. Every item links to its public source.
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What guitar does The Beatles play?

John Lennon was seen with Rickenbacker 325s, a Gibson J-160E and an Epiphone Casino. George Harrison played Gretsch Duo Jet and Country Gentleman guitars, a Rickenbacker 360/12 and his Rocky Strat. Paul McCartney played Hofner 500/1 and Rickenbacker 4001S basses, and Ringo Starr played a Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl kit.

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AllTop 5John LennonJohn Lennon and George HarrisonJohn Lennon and Paul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonPaul McCartneyRingo StarrStuart SutcliffeRingo Starr: drumsAmps
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What gear The Beatles uses: a sourced gear guide

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John Lennon

11 items

John Lennon and George Harrison

3 items

John Lennon and Paul McCartney

1 item

George Harrison

17 items

Paul McCartney

13 items

Ringo Starr

1 item

Stuart Sutcliffe

1 item

Ringo Starr: drums

3 items

Amps

2 items
Questions

About The Beatles's gear.

What guitar did John Lennon play in the Beatles?

A Rickenbacker 325, first a 1958 model bought in Hamburg in 1960 and then a black 1964 model, which stayed his main guitar into 1965. He also played a Gibson J-160E, an Epiphone Casino, a Sonic Blue Stratocaster and the Framus Hootenanny 12-string.

What guitars did George Harrison play in the Beatles?

A Futurama, then Gretsch Duo Jet, Country Gentleman and Tennessean models, a Rickenbacker 360/12, an Epiphone Casino, a Gibson ES-345 and SG Standard, his painted Rocky Stratocaster and a Fender Rosewood Telecaster on the rooftop.

What guitar did George Harrison play on the rooftop concert?

A prototype Fender Rosewood Telecaster made by Roger Rossmeisl, a gift from Fender that arrived at Apple in late 1968, which he played on the roof on 30 January 1969.

What bass did Paul McCartney play in the Beatles?

A left-handed Hofner 500/1 violin bass, first a 1961 model and then a 1963 model used through the Beatles years, plus a Rickenbacker 4001S from 1965 and a Fender Jazz Bass on some later sessions.

What drums did Ringo Starr play in the Beatles?

A 1963 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl kit bought at Drum City in London, used at more than 200 shows and on sessions for She Loves You and I Want to Hold Your Hand. He said he always wanted an American kit.

What amps did the Beatles use?

Vox amps, including the AC30 and AC100 with 4x12 cabinets live and the rare Vox UL730 on Revolver and Sgt. Pepper, then a Fender Bassman and Twin Reverbs during the Get Back sessions.

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The Beatles
About this guide · Last checked

The Beatles were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, the Liverpool band that changed pop music between 1962 and 1970. This guide covers the whole band's gear: Lennon's Rickenbackers and Casino, Harrison's Gretsches, Rick 12, SG, ES-345, Rosewood Telecaster and Rocky Strat, McCartney's Hofner and Rickenbacker basses, their Vox and Fender amps, and Ringo's Ludwig kits.

truerecs put this guide together from public videos, interviews and posts. Each item says how we know and links to the source. The Beatles didn't write it or choose anything on it. How we source gear guides.

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