GALLOTONE CHAMPION VINTAGE 1950s SUNBURST SAME MODEL AS JOHN LENNON'S FIRST GUITAR

Very nice vintage 1950's Gallotone champion the same model as John Lennon's first guitar. Not that many of these around now in this nice original condition and highly sort after by fans and Beatles collectors. John Lennon did not make a bad choice when he bought the same model - as surprisingly it plays amazingly good for a beginners budget instrument - even with rusty string ! (see demonstration video at end of the photos ).

This particular example is in amazing all original untouched condition, has some extremely cool play wear, and has a period string strap and strings. 

The Gallotone company was a South Africa based instrument manufacture owned by the country's largest record company, Gallo Africa. Gallotone made budget instruments intended for the student market, and were exported to many countries during the 50's and 60's.

This guitar is the Champion model 3/4 size steel string flat-top acoustic made from laminated woods, and was "guaranteed not to split" as noted on its interior label. It has a sunburst finish with white pin striping on the body and the headstock.

What makes this guitar really special is its the exact same model as John Lennon's first guitar. John had taken delivery of his first guitar in March or April of 1957. His mother Julia bought it through an ad from a south London mail-order firm. Lennon paid £10 for the guitar, about a month before his future song-writing partner, Paul McCartney spotted him playing it in a gig with his band The Quarry Men at St Peters Church fete in Woolton, Merseyside, in 1957 and the rest is history (see photo of Lennon playing the same model).