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Epiphone Casino
Paul
McCartney was the first Beatle to acquire an Epiphone Casino.
His was an ES-230TD model, manufactured in 1962. In 1964,
when McCartney acquired the guitar, it would have retailed
for around $480 or around $3,300 in today's money when converted
to US currency.
McCartney used this guitar on several Beatles recordings.
The guitar solo on Ticket To Ride, for instance, was played
by Paul on his Casino. This was the first time that anyone
other than Lennon or Harrison had played lead guitar on a
Beatles session.
According to Melody Maker, Lennon commented:
"Hey, Listen. Hear that play by Paul? He's been doing quite
a bit of lead guitar work this week. Gear. I reckon he's moving
in."
McCartney also played the Casino on the track Another Girl
from the Help! album. He also used the Epiphone Casino frequently
during the Revolver sessions in 1966, and Harrison and Lennon
also acquired Casinos that year.
Lennon can be seen playing his on the promotional clips for
Rain and Paperback Writer. He also used it on the Beatles'
legendary roof-top performance in 1969.
Later in his career, during the recording of Sgt. Pepper,
Paul McCartney switched between the Casino and a Fender Equire
when recording the solos for Good Morning Good Morning and
Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite.
A faithful reproduction of the Epiphone Casino guitar used
by the Beatles is available from Musician's
Friend. Musician's
Friend offers a 45-day full refund guarantee.
Epiphone Texan FT-79 (1964 model)
Paul McCartney bought his Epiphone Texan in 1964, and ended
up using it for much of his acoustic work including the recording
of Yesterday.
Converted to US currency, a Texan retailed for around $250
or $1,700 in today's money.
The guitar was right-handed, so McCartney would have turned
it upside down and strung it left-handed.
A faithful reproduction of the Epiphone Casino guitar used
by the Beatles is available from Musician's
Friend. A
left handed version is also available. Musician's Friend
offers a 45-day full refund guarantee.
Epiphone EJ-160E
This guitar is a reproduction of the
Gibson J-160E which was used extensively by both John Lennon
and George Harrison.
The
Gibson J-160E guitar featured on many Beatles performances
and recordings. It is, for instance, the guitar that created
the feed-back noise right before the opening guitar riff
on I Feel Fine. According to George Martin, the producer,
the feedback noise was intentional.
John also used this guitar extensively throughout the revolver
sessions. Other Beatles recordings featuring the Gibson
J-160E include You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, A Day
In The Life, Lovely Rita, All Together Now, Glass Onion,
Julia and Hey Jude. John also played this guitar during
bed-in for peace sessions in Montreal and Amsterdam in 1969.
It is owned today by Yoko Ono.
The Epiphone EJ-160E is available from Musician's
Friend.
Musician's Friend offers a 45-day full refund guarantee.
Further
reading: "Beatles Gear" by Andy Babiuk
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