Vintage Guitars
I'm happy with this
This website uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse traffic. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. See terms and conditions
FENDER | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Fender advertisement (1972)

The Naked Truth

Fender Amplifiers

1972 advert for Fender amplifiers.
strip a Fender amp down and you'll begin to understand why more of them are sold than all other amps put together

More

    Fender advertisement (1972) The Naked Truth

    Other related vintage advertisements

    Fender Amplifiers - The Worlds favourite Recording Machine
    Fender Amplifiers - The Worlds favourite Recording Machine
    Early seventies Fender advert featuring the telecaster guitar but primarily promoting Fender amplifiers
    Fender amps are the number one selling amps in the world. For business and pleasure, turn ...
    Fender Amplifiers - The Worlds favourite Blending Machine
    Fender Amplifiers - The Worlds favourite Blending Machine
    1973 advertisement for fender PA systems

    Fender

    Vintageguitarandbass.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.
    Vintage 1974 Fender Musicmaster Natural Bass Guitar

    Vintage 1974 Fender Musicmaster Natural Bass Guitar

    Benicia, California, 945**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1200

    This bass guitar is super fun to play. It plays great up and down the neck. The frets are in great shape with about 80% fret life left. It's super punchy with the single pickup. The pickup is aftermarket along with the pots are non-original. The pickguard is a replacement. Overall, this is a solid, funky fender bass that you can enjoy! If you are in the market for a bass that packs a punch, this is the one you want!
    The neck is straight and the truss rod turns in both directions.
    ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage Fender DeVille 212 Tube Guitar Amplifier *PICKUP NJ*

    Vintage Fender DeVille 212 Tube Guitar Amplifier *PICKUP NJ*

    Toms River, New Jersey, 087**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $800

    Up For Sale Today:
    Vintage Fender DeVille 212 Tube Guitar Amplifier
    Amp is pre-owned, shows some wear from age and use ( scuffs, scratches as well as a repair to side ( see pictures)
    Amp works 100%
    Please see pictures for more detail
    This amp is available for Local Pickup Only!
    NJ 08753
    Our Policy:
    MAKE SURE YOU READ THIS
    · We will only ship to the address you used when checking out. Make sure you change or update your shipping address before you pay. Do ... more
    eBay logo
    vintage fender duo sonic guitar 1963

    vintage fender duo sonic guitar 1963

    Atlanta, Georgia, 303**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1850

    All hardware and electronics are original. The body was damaged and professionally repaired 20+ years ago the paint was not so professional. Was recently appraised at big house guitars in Atlanta. Estimated value $2100-$2700.... more
    eBay logo
    1967 Fender Guitar & Amplifier Service Manual

    1967 Fender Guitar & Amplifier Service Manual

    Andover, Connecticut, 062**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $65


    Nice original 1967 FENDER GUITAR & AMPLIFIER SERVICE MANUAL showing various Guitars & amps. Very good condition with creasing on upper RH side. No writing or marks. There are 15 pages of content. Measures 8-1 / 2" x 11 " . Dated MARCH 1967. An excellent collectible Fender item. Photos are considered part of the description & condition. Please look at the photos and ask questions prior to bidding / buying. Sold as is - no returns
    PLEASE VISIT MY EBAY ... more
    eBay logo
    Fender Princeton 1963 Brown Ship World Wide

    Fender Princeton 1963 Brown Ship World Wide

    Port Clinton, Ohio, 434**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $4500

    Hi, I am selling a 1963 Fender Princeton Tube Amp. This has a changed handle and grounded power cord added. I will add photos of the chassie later tonite. This is in great condition and sounds great. Please understand * Buyer must contact us within 24 hours and pay for shipping, handling, and insurance. I ship worldwide, but please understand the shipping cost is for USA . There will be additional costs for international shipping. Please ask all questions if you have any concerns prior to ... more
    eBay logo
    Lefty Fender Telecaster 1978-79 barnfind

    Lefty Fender Telecaster 1978-79 barnfind

    Woodland Hills, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $3150

    Not everyday you'll find a true barn find guitar and certainly not it being a late 1970s lefty Telecaster. Truly a very unique guitar that besides the bridge pickup rewind and the plastic selector switch tip it is all still original and everything works as it should. Yes it took some serious elbow grease to get this Telecaster cleaned up and preserve everything that was there and here we are a really cool looking guitar. This Telecaster has a alder body and it's like most of the late 70s Teles... more
    eBay logo
    1962 Fender Jazzmaster Vintage Pre-CBS Offset Guitar Fiesta Red, Slab Board

    1962 Fender Jazzmaster Vintage Pre-CBS Offset Guitar Fiesta Red, Slab Board

    Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $35000

    Up for sale, a 1962 Fender Jazzmaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with an era-correct hardshell case. Produced in the first quarter of 1962 and boasting a slab rosewood fretboard, this Jazzmaster features its original "double custom color" finish, with Fiesta Red over a basecoat of Dakota Red. Notably rare even for a Pre-CBS custom color Jazzmaster, the non-matching headstock and tortoise pickguard further differentiate this model from later examples ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage 1970??s Fender Blue Label Oxford 10J4-6 10?? Speakers Pair - cone tears

    Vintage 1970??s Fender Blue Label Oxford 10J4-6 10?? Speakers Pair - cone tears

    Canyon, Texas, 790**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $129

    original working 10?? speakers, 32 ohms each, has a few cone tears as shown that will need sealed before use, sold as is -- $20 S / H to U S.

    ?? We really try to offer a complete 5 star service. If for some reason there is a problem with any transaction please give us the opportunity to remedy it

    ??


    Powered by eBay Turbo Lister
    The free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items
    ... more
    eBay logo
    1964 Fender Precision Bass guitar Pre CBS Vintage Tobacco Burst refinish

    1964 Fender Precision Bass guitar Pre CBS Vintage Tobacco Burst refinish

    Evergreen, Colorado, 804**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $7995

    1964 Fender Precision Bass
    All original except for Refinished body (Tobacco Burst), Tone potentiometer and Hard case. The refinish was done many years ago and has a lot of nice age and wear.
    The original tortoise shell pickguard has some missing bits and is wavy but hey, it's original (as is the metal shielding plate beneath. )
    Rosewood fretboard is beautiful and frets are in good shape. Truss works as it should. No issues.
    The bass plays great and sounds as you would expect for a... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage 1964 Fender Musicmaster Brazil rosewood fretboard

    Vintage 1964 Fender Musicmaster Brazil rosewood fretboard

    Cottage Grove, Minnesota, 550**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1899

    Dakota Red, a really good refin. Here is a fun one. It??s a great-looking, super lightweight vintage Fender mutt! The body is an original ??64 body and ??A?? neck, the fretboard is Brazilian Rosewood. The body was routed for a humbucker at one point in its life. The pickup is a great-sounding ??66 Music Master pickup. The caps and pots are period correct too. It??s nice and light at 6 3 pounds and sounds great! Sorry, no case.... more
    eBay logo
    1961 Fender Deluxe Tweed Narrow Panel Vintage Tube Amp 5E3 w /  Victoria Cover

    1961 Fender Deluxe Tweed Narrow Panel Vintage Tube Amp 5E3 w / Victoria Cover

    Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $9500

    Up for sale, a 1961 Fender Deluxe in exceptional condition and in perfect working order, featuring the original Victoria Luggage canvas cover, well-kept tweed, an extremely original circuit, a vintage Jensen P12Q speaker, and a complete vintage tube set. This is one of the very last Tweed-era Deluxe amps produced before the Brown Panel amps were introduced just months later in the '61 model year
    Few circuits are more desired and emulated than the narrow panel Tweed 5E3, and this amp delivers... more
    eBay logo
    Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster - Sea Foam Green w /  Maple FB - Used

    Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster - Sea Foam Green w / Maple FB - Used

    Winchester, Virginia, 226**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1890

    ProAudioStar DJ GEAR INSTRUMENT GEAR LIVE SOUND RECORDING MICROPHONES HEADPHONES ACCESSORIES SOFTWARE LIGHTING BUNDLES Authorized Dealer
    Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster - ... more
    eBay logo
    1966 FENDER STRATOCASTER TELECASTER 6 F TUNERS WITH BUSHINGS AND SCREWS

    1966 FENDER STRATOCASTER TELECASTER 6 F TUNERS WITH BUSHINGS AND SCREWS

    Boston, Massachusetts, 021**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $235

    HR{color: #000000;} itemimage{} stencilbottom{background:} stenciltop{background:} stencilleft{background:} stencilright{background:}a:link navlink, a:visited navlink, a:active navlink, a:hovera:link standardheaderlink, a:visited standardheaderlink, a:active standardheaderlink, a:hovera:link customheaderlink, a:visited customheaderlink, a:active customheaderlink, a:hovera:link customlink, a:visited customlink, a:active customlink, a:hover... more
    eBay logo
    Fender Precision Bass 1972 - Natural

    Fender Precision Bass 1972 - Natural

    Rochester, New York, 146**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $4499

    Weight: 9 75lbsThis 1973 Fender Precision bass has it all! The natural body is in excellent condition. The neck and maple fretboard have little playwear despite the age of the instrument. It truly makes you remember that old line: "age is just a number "
    This bass has it all, it is in immaculate shape and would look good in any collection, but it is also a great guitar to pickup and play. This bass plays like butter
    Almost everything on this bass is original, the one exception is the ... more
    eBay logo
    PRE-CBS 1963-66 FENDER PRECISION BASS OR TELECASTER KNOBS (2) VERY CLEAN & NICE

    PRE-CBS 1963-66 FENDER PRECISION BASS OR TELECASTER KNOBS (2) VERY CLEAN & NICE

    Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $269


    FREE USA SHIPPING!
    Her is a beautiful matched set that is from a 1954 Fender Telecaster. Also perfect for Precision Bass. This is a classic design with with the rounded dome top and some uniform wear on the knurling but barely a hint of on the tops of the barrels. Correct for 1952 thru 1961 models, when Fender 'squared off' the tops of the knobs. Some would argue that this design was being phased out as early as 1956 but I have seen original P-Basses and Teles up through 1961 that had ... more
    eBay logo
    1969 Fender Precision Bass Ocean Turquoise Vintage Bass w /  Case

    1969 Fender Precision Bass Ocean Turquoise Vintage Bass w / Case

    Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $5000

    Up for sale, a 1969 Fender Precision Bass in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. Professionally refinished by Copasetic Customs in Ocean Turquoise Metallic nitro lacquer, this P Bass retains largey original hardware, outfitted with new electronics
    Resonant and acoustically balanced at 8lbs 14oz, this Precision bass is strung with fresh 45-100 roundwound strings, loaded with a Fender Pure Vintage '62 black bobbin pickup. The instrument delivers a ... more
    eBay logo
    1966 Fender Precision Bass

    1966 Fender Precision Bass

    Encinitas, California, 920**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $12000



    1966 Fender P-Bass in factory custom color Candy Apple Red !

    Beautiful golden age P-bass that plays and sounds incredible

    All original save for a repro pickup cover and the original owner had diamonds inlaid on the fingerboard but has since been replaced with factory dot inlays

    This is a FANTASTIC Fender bass and you will not be disappointed

    Thank you for looking!
    ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage Fender Stage Lead Electric Guitar Amp 1x12 250 Watts - Early 80s

    Vintage Fender Stage Lead Electric Guitar Amp 1x12 250 Watts - Early 80's

    Fredericksburg, Virginia, 224**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $285

    @import ; .buya-main .buya-main a:hover{ text-decoration: underline; } .buya-main .buya-main .buya-main .buya-main .bravo-logo .buya-main .bravo-logo a:hover, .buya-main .bravo-footer a:hover{ text-decoration: none; } .buya-main .bravo-logo .buya-main .buya-main .logo2 .buya-main .logo2 .buya-main .logo2 .buya-main .buya-main .buya-main .description .buya-main .description ... more
    eBay logo
    1968 Fender Telecaster Custom

    1968 Fender Telecaster Custom

    Encinitas, California, 920**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $21000


    Greetings

    Up for grabs is a killer 1968 Fender Custom Tele
    This is a GOOD ONE!

    No issues , all original with original buldwin "Fender" export case

    The Feb '68 " B " neck on this tele is outrageous - you will NOT put it down.

    It is a fabulous playing and sounding guitar

    Email with any questions!

    Thx for looking
    ... more
    eBay logo
    1966 Fender Mustang Bass Daphne Blue

    1966 Fender Mustang Bass Daphne Blue

    Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $4861

    Up for sale is a super cool and wonderful sounding 1966 Fender Mustang Bass in its original Daphne Blue finish. Short scale 4 string bliss! Neck is stamped 17DEC66B, visible pots are coded 3046631 dating to the 31st week of 1966. Pickup is replaced and is from a 1980s Fender Bullet Bass and one pot has been worked on and has a partially open back. Overall in very good condition and comes with a vintage non original case. Weight: 7lbs. 9oz
    ... more
    eBay logo

    Find more Fender at vintageguitarsforsale.co

    There are 0 comments on this page so far. Add your comment

    Comment on this article

    Anti-spam question - to catch web robots

    Contact
    info@vintageguitarandbass.com

    mailing list

    Follow

    Facebook  Instagram  YouTube

    Other Great Sites

    Recent posts on vintage guitar and bass

    1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

    1971 Selmer guitar catalogueScan of 1971 Selmer guitar catalogue showing the range of electric and acoustic guitars distributed by the company: guitars by Gibson, Yamaha, Selmer, Hofner and Suzuki. 1960s Selmer had always placed Hofner at the front end of their catalogues, no doubt these were the better sellers - but into the 1970s Hofner were slipping somewhat and only appear at the tail end of this publication, pride of place going to Gibson, and to a lesser extent Yamaha. In fact this is the last Selmer catalogue to include the many Hofner hollow bodies (Committee, President, Senator etc) that had defined the companies output for so many years - to be replaced in the 1972 catalogue by generic solid body 'copies' of Gibson and Fender models. A number of new Gibson models are included for the first time: the SG-100 and SG-200 six string guitars and the SB-300 and SB-400 basses.

    1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

    1968 Selmer guitar catalogueScan of 1968/1969 Selmer guitar catalogue (printed July 1968), showing the entire range of electric and acoustic guitars distributed by the company: guitars by Hofner, Gibson, Selmer and Giannini. Selmer were the exclusive United Kingdom distributors of Hofner and Gibson at the time, and this catalogue contains a total of 18 electric guitars, 7 bass guitars, 37 acoustics, and 2 Hawaiian guitars - all produced outside the UK and imported by Selmer, with UK prices included in guineas. This catalogue saw the (re-)introduction of the late sixties Gibson Les Paul Custom and Les Paul Standard (see page 69) and the short-lived Hofner Club 70. Other electric models include: HOFNER ELECTRICS: Committee, Verithin 66, Ambassador, President, Senator, Galaxie, HOFNER BASSES: Violin bass, Verithin bass, Senator bass, Professional bass GIBSON ELECTRICS: Barney Kessel, ES-330TD, ES-335TD, ES-345TD, ES-175D, ES-125CD, SG Standard, SG Junior, SG Special GIBSON BASSES: EB-0, EB-2, EB-3 - plus a LOT of acoustics branded Gibson, Hofner, Selmer and Giannini

    1961 Hofner Colorama I

    1961 Hofner Colorama IHofner Colorama was the name UK distributor Selmer gave to a series of solid and semi-solid guitars built by Hofner for distribution in the UK. The construction and specifications of the guitars varied over the period of production, but by 1961 it was a totally solid, double cutaway instrument, with a set neck, translucent cherry finish, six-in-a-row headstock, and Hofner Diamond logo pickups. Available as a single or dual pickup guitar, this sngle pickup version would have been sold in mainland Europe as the Hofner 161.

    1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

    1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)Commodore was a brand applied to a series of guitars produced in Japan at the well-respected Matsumoku plant from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s - and sold primarily (perhaps exclusively?) in the United Kingdom. The models bearing the Commodore name were all guitars available from different distributors with different branding. Although there may have been some minor changes in appointments (specifically headstock branding) most had the same basic bodies, hardware and construction. Equivalent models to the Commodore N25 (and this is by no means an exhaustive list) include the Aria 5102T, Conrad 5102T(?), Electra 2221, Lyle 5102T, Ventura V-1001, Univox Coily - and most famously the Epiphone 5102T / Epiphone EA-250.

    1960 Hofner Colorama II

    1960 Hofner Colorama IIThe Hofner Colorama was the name given by Selmer to a series of solid (and semi-solid) body Hofner guitars distributed in the United Kingdom between 1958 and 1965. The Colorama name actually applied to some quite different guitars over the period, but in 1960 it was a very light, semi-solid, set necked guitar with one (Colorama I) or two (Colorama II, as seen here) Toaster pickups. Although an entry-level guitar, it was very well-built, and a fine playing guitar; certainly a step up (at least in terms of craftsmanship) from many of the Colorama guitars that would follow, and a good deal of the guitars available in Britain circa 1960.

    1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

    1971 Epiphone 1820 (ET-280) bassBy the end of the 1960s, a decision had been made to move Epiphone guitar production from the USA (at the Kalamazoo plant where Gibson guitars were made), to Matsumoto in Japan, creating a line of guitars and basses significantly less expensive than the USA-built models (actually less than half the price). The Matsumoku factory had been producing guitars for export for some time, but the 1820 bass (alongside a number of guitar models and the 5120 electric acoustic bass) were the first Epiphone models to be made there. These new Epiphones were based on existing Matsumoku guitars, sharing body shapes, and hardware, but the Epiphone line was somewhat upgraded, with inlaid logos and a 2x2 peghead configuration. Over the course of the 70s, the Japanese output improved dramatically, and in many ways these early 70s models are a low point for the brand. Having said this, there are a lot worse guitars out there, and as well as being historically important, the 1820 bass can certainly provide the goods when required.

    1981 Gibson Marauder

    1981 Gibson MarauderProduction of Bill Lawrence's Gibson Marauder began in 1974, with production peaking in 1978. But by 1980 the model was officially discontinued, though very small numbers slipped out as late as spring 1981. Over 7000 examples shipped between 1974 and 1979, and although no totals are available for 1980 and 1981, it is unlikely production reached three figures in either of these years. These final Marauders were all assembled at the Gibson Nashville plant, and had some nice features not available through the later years of production, such as a rosewood fretboard, and in this case, an opaque 'Devil Red' finish. It's a great looking and fine playing guitar!

    1971 'Pick Epiphone' Catalog

    1971 Pick Epiphone catalogWhen Epiphone production moved from Kalamazoo to the Matsumoku plant in Japan, a whole new range of electric, flattop and classic acoustic guitars was launched. Between late 1970 and 1972 the new models were launched and refined. This 'folder' catalog contains various inserts released over these years detailing four electric six-strings (ET-270, ET-275, ET-278, and thinline EA-250), three bass guitars (ET-280, ET-285, and thinline EA-260), three folk/steel acoustics, four jumbo flattop acoustics, two 12-string jumbos, four classic acoustics, and a banjo.

    1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

    1981 Gibson Specials Pre-Owners Manual'Gibson Specials' was part of the June 1981 pre-owners manual series, but unlike the other folders contained a mish-mash of different guitars: limited editions, test marketing and close outs. "You will find the unusual, the brand-new, and the bargain within this folder". End of line 70s guitars like the Marauder, S-1, and L-6S Custom mixed in with brand new models the The V, The Explorer and the Flying V Bass.
    It was the largest folder in the series, with 24 inserts, (19 guitars and 5 basses): Guitars: 335-S Standard, Melody Maker Double, Marauder, L-6S Custom, S-1, RD Artist, Firebird, Firebird II, Flying V, Flying V-II, The V, Explorer, Explorer II, The Explorer, The "SG" Standard, Les Paul Artist, Les Paul Artisan, ES-335 Heritage, ES-175/CC Basses: Grabber, G-3, L-9S, RD Artist Bass, Flying V Bass

    1970s Shaftesbury 3263 bass

    1970s Shaftesbury 3263 bassRose-Morris were selling Shaftesbury-branded Rickenbacker copy instruments from the late 1960s right through the 1970s. The 3263 bass was one of the first models, (alongside the 3261 six string and 3262 twelve string) available from late 1968 until about 1974. The earliest incarnation was a set neck bass, produced very briefly in Japan. But production quickly moved to Italy. This bolt-on neck example was built by Eko, in Recanati, using the same hardware and pickups as fitted to Eko, and Vox basses built around the same time. It's certainly a fine looking bass, and not a bad player either.

    1961 Hohner Zambesi

    1961 Hohner ZambesiThis very early, and pretty rare British-built guitar is branded Hohner London. Hohner were, of course, a German company, better known for their harmonicas and accordions, but they were keenly expanding into guitars at the birth of the 1960s. This model, along with the Hohner Amazon and (particularly) the Hohner Holborn, bear some similarity with Vox guitars of the same period; furniture manufacturer Stuart Darkins constructed bodies and necks for both brands, with Fenton Weill assembling them using their hardware and pickups. These guitars do have some hardware peculiarities, and they are not the most adjustable of instruments, but they actually play very nicely, being solidly built out of some very nice woods. Check out the video on this page.

    1963 Vox Super Ace

    1963 Vox Super AceThe Vox Super Ace was a mid-priced British solid body electric guitar, produced by JMI at their factory in Dartford, Kent. It was broadly modelled on the Fender Stratocaster, and a sibling model to the dual-pickup Vox Ace. Both the Ace, and Super Ace (along with several other models), were redesigned in 1963 with a new body shape, headstock style, and pickup layout - only increasing the resemblance to the aforementioned Fender. The Super Ace had a 1963 price tag of £47 5S. It's a pretty nice playing guitar with some lovely sounds - check out the videos on this page, and in the Vintage Guitar and Bass supporting members area

    1966 Vox New Escort

    1966 Vox New EscortThe Vox New Escort was Vox's version of the Fender Telecaster, at a time when American guitars were out of reach for most British musicians. It was made by JMI in England, for the British market, and unlike the majority of other models, didn't have an Italian-made equivalent. But the New Escort wasn't a slavish Fender copy, adding Vox's stylish teardrop headstock to the tele-style body, with a stop tailpiece and two Vox V2 single coil pickups. And it's a pretty substantial, and nice playing guitar, with a very comfortable neck. Check out the images, specifications, and watch a video of it in action. There is also extra content in the vintageguitarandbass supporting members area.

    1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

    1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin CareCatalog scan. The 1969 Fender Lovin' Care catalog consisted of 48 pages of electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, steel guitars, acoustic guitars, banjos and keyboards. Like the previous catalog, this featured the company's guitars in a variety of interesting settings around California, from the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, to the Hollywood Bowl. Several instruments were making their first appearance amongst it's pages: the Telecaster bass, Montego and LTD jazz guitars, and the Redondo acoustic. It was the final catalog appearance, however, of the Electric XII, Bass V, Duo-Sonic, Coronado I and Coronado Bass I.

    1973 Eko Ranger Folk

    1973 Eko Ranger FolkThe Eko Ranger series of guitars was incredibly popular in the second half of the 1960s and through the 1970s, selling in very large numbers. The Ranger Folk was 1 1/4" smaller, and 1" shallower than the Ranger VI and XII - and with a narrower waist. Not a bad guitar; a little quiet, but pretty playable. These were great value in 1973, and because they sold so many, they are easy to find and excellent value today.

    1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

    1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitarThe Symphonic bass was built in the UK, by Vox parent company JMI. It was the Vox equivalent to the Fender Precision bass, and was one of the most expensive Vox guitars produced. It was actually a great playing bass, rather similar to the Precision in feel and sound, but was probably just too expensive compared to an actual Fender and consequently sold poorly. When Vox hit financial problems in 1968, unsold guitars and basses were passed on to Dallas Arbiter, who briefly sold the excess Symphonic bass stock as model 4537. This bass, although with a neck date of February 1966, was most likely one of the unsold Vox guitars sold on by Dallas Arbiter. Check out the bass, and the two video demos through 1960s Ampeg and WEM amplifiers.

    1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

    1968 Shaftesbury catalogThe 1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog was just four pages long, and contained four guitar models: the six string Barney Kessel-style 3264; and three Rickenbacker-styled semi-acoustic models: the six-string 3261, the twelve string 3262 and the 3263 bass. Shaftesbury was the house-brand of major UK distributor Rose-Morris, and seems to have been launched as a response to the company's loss of it's distribution deal with Rickenbacker. The guitars were mid-priced, and built in (initially) Japan, and later Italy, by Eko

    1970 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns Celebrated Classics' catalog

    1970 Rose_Morris catalog1970 Rose-Morris catalog, dated April 1970. It featured 6 electric guitars, 32 acoustic guitars, 3 basses and 1 steel guitar. It contains the following instruments, over 20 pages: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3262, 3264, 3265, 3400; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Colorado, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12; Aria 1674, 1675, 1676, 1679, 1680, 1695, 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk; Rose-Morris 15-11, Kansas, Georgian, Florida; Suzuki 1663, 1664, 1665, 3054, 3055, 3060; Tatay 1713, 1714, 1715; Peerless 3052; Steel guitar: Aria 3425

    1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

    1971 Rose_Morris catalogThe sixteen-page 1971 Rose-Morris catalog featured electric guitars by Rose-Morris' own brand, Shaftesbury, and budget brand Top Twenty; aswell as acoustics by Eko, Aria, and for the first time Ovation. The catalog contains the following instruments: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3264, 3265, 3400, 3402; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Ovation: Balladeer, 12 String, Glen Campbell, Glen Campbell 12 string; Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12, Colorado, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Studio 'L'; Rose-Morris Florida; Aria 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk

    1972 Fender Precision bass

    1972 Fender PrecisionA detailed look at an early 1970s Fender Precision bass guitar in custom black finish, with rosewood fretboard. 1972 list price, $307.50. The Fender Precision had been shipping since at least very early 1952 - with just one re-design circa 1957. This example, then, shows a model already two decades old, but barely changed since the '57 revamp. Fender got it right first time around, and although there are numerous minor cosmetic differences, the essence of this bass is effectively the same as it was in '52: a simple, single pickup instrument with a GREAT sound. Check out the demo video through an old Ampeg B15. It's no wonder this is the bass that everybody wants!

    1967 Vox Stroller

    1967 Vox StrollerThe Vox Stroller was the brand's entry level electric solid body guitar, fitted with just one pickup and a fixed tailpiece. Although aimed at student guitarists, it wasn't a terrible instrument, but did lack somewhat in adjustability, having no accessible truss rod and only a floating rosewood bridge. But this example is actually quite an improvement on earlier versions, with a standard 1/4" jack and a solid mahogany body. 1967 price £18 2s. JMI ceased UK guitar production in late '67, and combined with decreasing demand for the Stroller, this surely must be one of the last examples shipped.

    1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

    1963 Vox Clubman Bass left handedA nice example of the Vox Clubman II bass, built by JMI in Dartford, Kent in 1963. This is a lightweight bass, short (30") scale and very easy to play. It is an early example, and as such has a thin black scratchplate and side mounted, coaxial output jack. JMI offered left handed examples of their solid body Vox guitars and basses at 10% premium. Production numbers are unclear, but left-handed examples rarely come up for sale

    1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

    1977 Gibson ES Artist prototypeNot to be confused with the Gibson ES Artist launched by Gibson in 1979; this ES Artist was an early model designed by the Gibson research and development team in Kalamazoo in 1977, the instruments themselves constructed by Gibson artist Chuck Burge. It was planned for launch as a high end semi acoustic with 335-style construction (central maple block) and innovative circuitry - but was pulled at the last minute, being deemed too expensive. Apparently, several examples were produced with varying specifications, though exactly how many actually left the Kalamazoo plant is unclear. Certainly two guitars were sold to LaVonne Music by Gibson in around 1980. Read more about the development of this guitar, with details from Chuck Burge and the story of it's sale to LaVonne music

    1959 Hofner Committee

    1959 Hofner CommitteeThe Hofner Committee was a truly beautiful guitar produced in Germany, primarily for the UK market. It was a large bodied (initially 17 1/2") guitar with a carved spruce top, available as an acoustic or electric guitar. By the early sixties the carved top was replaced with a laminate, and although still a very fine guitar, the earlier carved top examples, with frondose headstock (like the example shown here) are far more highly prized amongst musicians and vintage guitar collectors.

    1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean

    1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins TennesseanThe Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean, or model 6119 was Gretsch's best selling hollow body of the 1960s. This wonderfully faded example from 1965 was originally Dark Cherry Red, but has turned a mid-orange brown. The original color, however, can be seen underneath the pickup surrounds. 1965 specs: maple body, two-piece neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard and Hi-Lo 'Tron single coil pickups. Nickel plated Gretsch Bigsby tailpiece.

    1965 Gretsch 'For the Spectacular Sound of the Times' guitar and amp catalog

    1965 Gretsch catalogThe 1965 Gretsch catalog, or catalog #32, featured 10 hollow body electric guitars, including the newly launched Gretsch Viking; four solid body electrics, including the Astro Jet - making it's only catalog appearance; just one bass, the single pickup PX6070; nine acoustics and 12 tube amplifiers. Pride of place went to the Chet Atkins Country Gentleman that adorned both the front and back covers. 24 pages, six of which are in full color.

    Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends

    Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret endsLoose frets are especially problematic in certain old guitars, but are generally very easy to fix. You'll be amazed at the difference you can make with just a few tools, a bit of knowledge, and a little time. Fixing loose frets can eliminate fret buzz, remove sharp fret ends, and greatly improve the tone of any guitar. If your luthier bill will be greater than the value of your guitar, definitely time to have a go yourself!

    1966 Hagstrom 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog (Merson USA)

    1966 Hagstrom guitar catalogHagstrom guitars were distributed in the mid-1960s United States by Merson of USA. This eight page 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog, printed in two-colors contained six solid body electrics, three solid body basses, two electric acoustic guitars, two electric acoustic basses and five acoustics.

    1965 Hofner President

    1965 Hofner PresidentThe President was produced by Hofner in Bubenreuth, Germany, specifically for Selmer, who distributed the brand in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other commonwealth nations. The President was a hollow body electric acoustic, available as a full body or thinline, and with blonde or brunette finish. It was a great playing guitar that sold fairly well in the second half of the 1950s, throughout the 1960s, and into the very early 1970s. The example shown here is a full-body depth guitar in blonde - and as a 1965 guitar, one of the last to feature the rounded Venetian cutaway. From late 1965 until 1972, the President sported a sharp Florentine cut. Naturally, such an electric acoustic suggests jazz and blues, but many of the original British Hofner President players were part of the rock 'n roll, skiffle and beat scenes of the late 50s and early 60s.

    1963 1964 Fender catalog

    Fender 1963 catalogue"The Choice of Professional and Student Musicians Everywhere" This eight page catalogue was included as an insert in the 1963 annual "school music" issue of Downbeat magazine (September 1963). As well as keyboards and pedal steels, this catalog contains seven guitars, three basses and ten amplifiers - from student guitars such as the Musicmaster and Duotone to professional models like the new Jaguar.