Framus Hootenanny 2025: John Lennon’s 12-String Acoustic is Back
Sound like your favorite Lennon songs from 'Help'!
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The traditional German acoustic guitar manufacturer Framus has come up with something special for the Framus Hootenanny 2025: it’s the 12-string guitar used by John Lennon for ‘You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away’. Available in two colours and two string configurations.
John Lennon and the Hootenanny
It’s the early sixties and the folk wave has taken over the pop world. Dylan, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson – quietly plucked or strummed like a madman, folk music was everywhere. Framus, a major manufacturer of acoustic guitars at the time, caught wind of this and built the Hootenanny, a cross between jazz guitars and the company’s concert models.
The Framus 5/024 Hootenanny was born. In the early sixties, John Lennon developed a growing fascination with Bob Dylan’s songwriting for which an acoustic guitar was a must. So, Lennon got himself a twelve-string Hootenanny. He wrote ‘You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away’ on it and recorded the song for the album ‘Help’. The Hootenanny can also be heard on the songs ‘Help’, ‘It’s Only Love’ and ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’.
As it can go for such a legendary instrument, Lennon gave his Hootenanny to Gordon Walter of the duo Peter & Gordon, who were produced by Lennon and McCartney, after the recording was done. After 1965, the trace was lost for more than sixty years. As is so often the case, this model only recently resurfaced. It was sold at auction in 2024 for a whopping $2.85 million.
Framus Hootenanny 2025: Six and Twelce Strings
Framus went bankrupt in the seventies. In 1995, the traditional manufacturer was brought back to life in Markneukirchen in the Vogtland region, not far from the original founding location of Luby u Chebu in the Czech Republic. And with the Framus Hootenanny 2025, the company is continuing the old tradition.
The series includes six six-string and six twelve-string models. Each is available in vintage tinted or vintage sunburst, with a range of finishes including high gloss, satin or nitrocellulose lacquer. Built in the Round Shoulder Dreadnought form, the solid Sapele body provides a warm, focused foundation, while the solid Sitka spruce top ensures a very direct response.
Also included are 19 nickel silver frets, a rosewood fretboard (25.3″ scale), and a bone nut – classic features! In addition, the ivory-colored binding and wooden rosette add a touch of class to the Framus Hootenanny 2025. Vintage-style closed nickel tuners with ivory tuning pegs and a classic black pickguard complete the look.
How much do the Framus Hootenanny 2025 guitars cost?
Depending on the finish and strings, the Framus Hootenanny 2025 models are available at Thomann* between 999 and 1,199 euros. The six-string models come with a set of D’Addario XTAPB1253 (.012 – .053) strings, while the twelve-string models come with D’Addario XTAPB1047-12 (.010 – .047). A matching Hootenanny case is included.
More on the new guitars from Framus
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