A 12-string acoustic used by the Beatles only in the studio, but at the heart of iconic songs like Help!, Norwegian Wood and Girl. Rediscovered in 2024 and sold for a record-breaking price.
Among the new instruments introduced during the Help! sessions – and later in Rubber Soul – was a German-made Framus model 5/024 “Hootenanny” 12-string acoustic, built in 1964. John Lennon bought it towards the end of that year, likely inspired by his recent encounter with Bob Dylan and the growing interest in acoustic folk music.
John, and occasionally George, used it in the studio on memorable recordings such as Help!, I’ve Just Seen a Face, Norwegian Wood, It’s Only Love and Girl. But it's in You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away, during one of the most memorable scenes from the Help! film, that the guitar is shown on screen, played by John himself.
Unlike other instruments, the Framus was never used live and, by late 1965, John gave it away to fellow musician Gordon Waller of the duo Peter & Gordon. It was then passed on to their manager. Forgotten in a country attic for more than 50 years, it was accidentally rediscovered during a house move in 2024, sparking huge interest among Beatles fans. After a careful restoration in California—and verified by expert Andy Babiuk—it was auctioned by Julien’s for approximately $2.9 million, becoming the fifth most expensive guitar ever sold and the most valuable Beatles guitar ever to appear at auction.
The guitar shown in our photo is a Framus 05/024 Hootenanny 12-string in Vintage Tinted Nitro finish, part of a limited 2025 reissue. But the Hootenanny wasn't the only 12-string acoustic made by Framus: you can also spot a vintage 1970 Framus 5/296 Texan (12) in our video for Help!.
