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Products Acoustic Instruments Round Shoulder Gibson Acoustic
Neck and Headstock
Neck Species
The neck of the 70th Anniversary John Lennon models are constructed from one solid piece of quarter-sawn, lightweight mahogany. The luthiers in Gibson's Montana plant carefully select the grain orientation of the mahogany used for necks to optimize tone and sustain. Neck Species Tonal Characteristics
The wood, construction, and headstock pitch all contribute greatly to the superior resonance, sustain, and overall tone of the 70th Anniversary John Lennon models. Neck Profile
The neck of the 70th Anniversary John Lennon models are carved to a rounded profile. Neck Profile Adhesive
Hot-hide glue is used to attach the dovetail joint, which is the traditional glue used to construct many of the greatest acoustic guitars of the 20th century. Joint
Gibson uses a compound dovetail joint fixed with hot-hide glue to attach the neck of the 70th Anniversary John Lennon models to the body at the 15th fret. This technique, traditional in cabinet making and high-end luthiery, creates a joint with superior strength to that of a single piece of wood.   Joint Angle
3° (+/- 15 seconds)
Headstock Angle (Pitch)
Just like the original J-45, and many other classic Gibson models, the 70th Anniversary John Lennon models' headstocks are carefully angled at Gibson's traditional 17 degrees. This subtle yet crucial element of the guitar's design increases pressure on the strings and helps them stay in the nut slots. An increase in string pressure also means there is no loss of string vibration between the nut and the tuners, which equals better sustain. Truss Rod
Gibson's traditional truss rod, found in nearly all of our guitars, is highly responsive to the individual adjustments you'll want to make to personalize and optimize string action and sustain. Truss Rod Logo
The Gibson logo is inlaid in mother-of-pearl across the top of a traditional advanced jumbo-style headstock, which also carries John Lennon's signature. Logo
Fingerboard and Nut
Fingerboard Species
The 70th Anniversary John Lennon models' bound fingerboard is made from select Indian rosewood. Frets
The frets are Gibson Montana's historically accurate jumbo fret wire, as on the original J-160E of the early '60s. Frets Tonal Characteristics
Rosewood fingerboards have been a favorite for more than a century and are legendary for their rich, round tone, attributes that blend beautifully with the depth and dimension of the 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160E's voice. Radius
Gibson's traditional 12" fingerboard radius is used for this guitar, which offers excellent comfort for both chording and single-note runs, and avoids any "choked-out" notes when strings are bent for blues, country and rock playing.
Inlays
The fingerboard of the 70th Anniversary John Lennon models carry custom mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays in the traditional positions, with John Lennon's date of birth inscribed in the 12th-fret inlay. Both the 70th Anniversary J-160E and the Lennon Museum model bear John's signature in mother of pearl on the headstock, while the Lennon "Imagine" model has a headstock signature of abalone to accent the white finish. Inlays Nut Width
The width of the nut on the 70th Anniversary John Lennon J-160E is approximately 1.725", which contributes to a roomy, comfortable fingerboard, suited to all playing styles. Nut Material
The 70th Anniversary John Lennon models carry a bone nut, a traditional component of quality flat-top acoustic guitars. Nut Material