Honoring the late John Lennon, Gibson Acoustic has announced three new limited-edition acoustic guitars: the 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160VS, the 70th Anniversary John Lennon Imagine, and the 70th Anniversary Lennon Museum J-160E. The new guitars arrive just in time for Lennon's 70th upcoming birthday.

At the request of Yoko Ono, Gibson Acoustic will be offering these three new models to celebrate everything-Lennon. Only a small quantity of these handmade acoustics will be made available.

Gibson writes in its announcement of these guitars that Lennon, who was born on October 9th 1940, still remains one of the most significant voices in the music of our times. In 1962, he was still an up-and-coming artist, and though he was one of two main singer / songwriters at the heart of The Beatles, he was scraping by on the little money the band was bringing in at that time. For his first quality American acoustic / electric guitar, Lennon had his sights set on a new Gibson J-160E; however, he didn't have the money to buy it. With the aid of a co-signed purchase from Beatles manager Brian Epstein (who also co-signed for band mate George Harrison's J-160E), Lennon made the guitar his own.

Recreated by the luthiers at Gibson's Montana acoustic guitar facility, the 70th Anniversary John Lennon models are available in three versions to represent the instrument at three periods in Lennon's life and career. The Museum J-160E model is shown at the bottom. Some of the main features for each model are listed here; for complete specifications, please visit Gibson's Web site.

70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160VS:

• Vintage Sunburst finish
• Limited quantity of 500 guitars
• Represents the guitar as it was when Lennon first acquired it and used it on several Beatles recordings from 1963 to 1964
• 70th Anniversary John Lennon MOP signature on the headstock
• 1960s laminated Sitka Spruce top
• Mahogany back and sides
• Classic vintage Sunburst lacquer finish
• Jumbo 1960s frets
• Gibson authentic P-90 pickups
• Historic adjustable bridge
• 70th Anniversary MOP engraved 12th fret birthdate of John Lennon
• $4,728 (MSRP)

70th Anniversary John Lennon Imagine:

• Soft White finish to reflect the sentiment of John's life and music during the recording of "Imagine"
• Thin, natural finish
• 70th Anniversary Certificate personally signed by Yoko Ono
• Anniversary John Lennon Abalone headstock signature
• 70th Anniversary MOP engraved 12th fret birthdate of Lennon
• 1960s laminated Sitka Spruce top
• Historic Gibson Ladder bracing pattern
• Mahogany back and sides
• Jumbo 1960s frets
• Historic adjustable bridge
• Gibson authentic P-90 pickups
• Custom hardshell case
• $10,748 (MSRP)

70th Anniversary Lennon Museum J-160E:

• Gibson Custom Shop label personally signed by Yoko Ono
• Limited quantity of 70 guitars (one for every year since John's birth in 1940)
• Authentic recreation of John Lennon's "Bed-In" caricature sketch
• 70th anniversary John Lennon MOP headstock signature
• 70th anniversary MOP engraved 12th fret birth date of John Lennon
• 1960s laminated Sitka Spruce top
• Historic Gibson ladder bracing pattern
• Mahogany back and sides
• Custom thin lacquer finish
• Jumbo 1960s frets
• Historic adjustable bridge
• Gibson authentic P-90 pickup
• Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case
• $15,048 (MSRP)

For more information about the 70th Anniversary John Lennon guitars, visit Gibson online at gibson.com.