One of Gibson's early attempts at a production acoustic-electric guitar, the J-160e was a round-shouldered dreadnought with a single-coil pickup installed at the end of the fingerboard. This guitar features two control knobs, a Mahogany body, 3-ply laminated top (the 1954 model is the only one with a spruce top), and Rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlays. Like the Epiphone Casino, this guitar's status has been greatly influenced by its use by the Beatles.

While production did continue through much of the Norlin era, the guitars from 1970 - 1979 do have some major changes to shape and construction.

Notable Players: John Lennon, George Harrison, Barry Gibb