Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has anyone owned/seen this guitar? I thought it was a limited release in the late 90's with the sunburst and peace versions, but I've never read or seen anything regarding it.

Yes Lanny it was a very limited release I think around '95 or '96 or so. Gibson released all 3 versions of Lennon's J-160E (original sunburst, "The Fool" psych painted version, and the stripped down "Bed In" version). They were released in sets of only 50, although I know a few dealers were breaking up the sets to sell specific models. At the time the set of 3 was going for $50,000!!!! The Hardrock Cafe in Cleveland has a set on display.

Thanks Jeff, wow! that's a lot more than I anticipated. I sure wish Gibson would consider making a few more for those of us with less than 50k (or 15k for one) burning in our pockets. I guess you could repaint a J-160E into a close approximation, but come on only 50 ever made????

Buy a used Lennon peace model and then email Jeff at FabGear.

Lennon's was hand painted.

Jeff will fix you up with an historically correct, dead nuts hand painted Fool.

Total cost of paint work with guitar purchase should top out around $2500.

Save $14K!

I am told the Gibson Ltd. edition Fool's were silk screened.

By all means, a hand-painted one from Jeff would be a way to go!

What kind of gall does it take to silk screen a "hand-painted" original and charge ~$16K+ for it?

Another example of consumer silliness and corporate greed.

Consumer silliness, good description. It's what drove the real estate market here in FL the last few years.

Everywhere Brian. I will admit we built a spec home to take advantage of the market. We sold just in time. I have clients moving in to spec homes because when they finished building they couldn't sell. CRAZY!

As for the guitar. I love it, but silk screened seems like a total disrespect for the original work.

I think the pickup on the Psychedelic version was moved to the bottom of the sound hole as well. Does anyone have one on which this has been done ? And what effect, (if any), does this different placement have on the sound?