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KRAMER | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Kramer advertisement (1977)

Kramer Sticks its Neck Out to Give You the Perfect Instrument

Kramer Guitars, Kramer Basses

Kramer introduced new materials into their guitars in the late seventies - this advert highlights the aluminium necks, ebolite fret boards, and the T-neck shape
Kramer solid body electric guitars and basses represent a breakthrough in design that allows you to break-through to the ultimate in your performance. It's something totally new that leaves all the others behind and makes conventional guitar necks obsolete

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    Kramer advertisement (1977) Kramer Sticks its Neck Out to Give You the Perfect Instrument

    Kramer, Kramer Basses

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    1977 Kramer 250B Natural Bass Guitar  Aluminum Neck w /  Split Tuning Fork

    1977 Kramer 250B Natural Bass Guitar Aluminum Neck w / Split Tuning Fork

    Farmington, Michigan, 483**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $3000

    This  RARE Kramer 250B aluminum neck was my father's pride and joy. It was very well kept and was bought in 1977. It is in excellent condition. And the sound is magnificent.
    ... more
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    AMAZING RARE VINTAGE 1982 USA KRAMER VOYAGER LIGHTNING BOLT FACTORY FLOYD ROSE

    AMAZING RARE VINTAGE 1982 USA KRAMER VOYAGER LIGHTNING BOLT FACTORY FLOYD ROSE

    Boulder, Colorado, 803**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $10000


    Here's a incredible find from the original owner who purchased this 1982 Kramer Voyager Series Patent Pending black guitar with the lightning bolt design and a very early custom ordered factory Floyd Rose system, Utterly original with OHSC. The owner was a local guitar hero who worked at the music store and a self-admitted Eddie Van Halen fan. He ordered it with two humbucking pickups and standard electronics. The instrument is in Excellent condition with only some light fabric swirl and a ... more
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    1984 Kramer American Series Pacer Carrera Gloss Black Finish Electric Guitar

    1984 Kramer American Series Pacer Carrera Gloss Black Finish Electric Guitar

    Richmond, Virginia, 232**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2000


    1984KramerAmerican SeriesPacer CarreraGloss Black FinishElectric GuitarUsed - Excellent Condition
    The Kramer brand was popularized by the legendary Eddie Van Halen back in the '80s and has remained a staple in hard rock and heavy metal ever since. The Kramer Pacer has been used by not only Eddie himself, but by other noted shredders such as George Lynch, Joe Satriani, and Mick Mars of Motley Crue! The Pacer Carrera was made from 1982 to 1986 and features two black humbuckers with a ... more
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    1978 Kramer DMZ 3000 Natural

    1978 Kramer DMZ 3000 Natural

    Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2199

    Just in this great 1978 Kramer DMZ 3000
    Quick Details
    Weight 10 2lbs
    Nut width 1 11 / 16th "
    Depth at 1st fret 0 86 "
    Depth at 12th Fret 0 94 "
    This DMZ 3000 is in great shape with minimal wear for its age. The body is in great shape with a few small dings but nothing major. The Clear is cracked by the body seam on the back of the guitar by the neck bolts. it is not the wood just the clear from flex over the years
    The Dimarzio pickups are original to the guitar as well ... more
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    1980s 1985 Kramer Baretta USA VH Maple Striped Customized Paul Unkert Grail Hft

    1980s 1985 Kramer Baretta USA VH Maple Striped Customized Paul Unkert Grail Hft

    Houston, Texas, 770**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $7900

    1985 USA Kramer Baretta   Customized by Paul Unkert in 1987. Paul gave the Baretta a classic Van Halen stripe job. Mounted the original MJ Seymour Duncan 16 78k directly to the body. Added early prototype Floyd Rose locking nut. Includes the original 1985 Floyd Rose tremolo system made in Germany with tremolo bar   Paul made the modifications while working for BC Rich in New Jersey in his home shop. Roughly 7 guitars were customized and EVH striped by Paul during this period before ... more
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    Vintage 1980s Kramer 1st Model ESP Made Focus 3000 D Guitar Body Japan MIJ

    Vintage 1980s Kramer 1st Model ESP Made Focus 3000 D Guitar Body Japan MIJ

    Mobile, Alabama, 366**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $200

    Body from a 1980s Kramer Focus 3000 D electric guitar. This was one of the first models made by ESP in Japan. It is a 1st version and had the 1st model Floyd Rose tremolo with no fine tuners. Also note the output jack was in the pickguard as opposed to the later versions that had a Stratocaster type body jack. Has one very fixable issue. The tremolo post hole on the bass side has elongated slightly. It's probably best to dowel the existing hole and re-drill it. Body has it's share of use ... more
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    1980 Kramer DMZ4001 Bass a very early 100% original clean example ready to enjoy

    1980 Kramer DMZ4001 Bass a very early 100% original clean example ready to enjoy

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1995

    From the company??s launch in 1976 until the early ??80s, Kramer used aluminum necks with wooden inserts for its guitars and basses. The DMZ series was the second wave of Kramer basses which launched in 1978. Like other aluminum-based Kramers, the DMZ basses were phased out as Kramer shifted to more economical wooden necks. This is a very nice clean & collectable bass with a unique aluminum neck. It feels alive in your hands! It??s all original w / its cream covered DiMarzio pickup w / a ... more
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    1985-86  KRAMER FERRINGTON KFS-2 Electric / Acoustic Guitar Red W / OHSC

    1985-86 KRAMER FERRINGTON KFS-2 Electric / Acoustic Guitar Red W / OHSC

    Bellingham, Washington, 982**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $950

    1985-86 KRAMER FERRINGTON KFS-2 Electric / Acoustic Guitar Red W / OHSC. Early run of a classic design this Ferrington had lots of pro players stepping up and endorsing these for live performance. This one is in excellent condition with just a couple tiny nicks and a high spot by sound hole. Very hard to get real great pics with the red color. Looks kinda orange or pink in pjcs but nice red color in person. It looks and sounds like it did when made. No bridge problems and neck is very clean ... more
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    1980s Kramer Japan Focus 6000 Electric Guitar Black

    1980's Kramer Japan Focus 6000 Electric Guitar Black

    Flushing, New York, 113**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1299

    ALL ORIGINAL MIJ 1980's KRAMER FOCUS 6000. In excellent condition with no significant paint chips
    If you need more pictures, please don't hesitate to ask.... more
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    1983 Kramer USA Pioneer 4 String Bass Guitar Original Black C Plate W / HSC

    1983 Kramer USA Pioneer 4 String Bass Guitar Original Black C Plate W / HSC

    Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 207**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $700

    This 1983 Kramer USA Pioneer Electric Bass Guitar is a top-quality instrument that would make a great addition to any musician's collection. The body is solid black with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard, making it a visually stunning piece. It comes with a cable and a hard shell case for easy transportation

    The Pioneer PJ Bass has a four-string configuration and is right-handed. The brand is Kramer and the series is Pioneer. The model year is 1983, and it was made in the ... more
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    1978-79 Kramer DMZ 4001- 4 String Bass Guitar Modified

    1978-79 Kramer DMZ 4001- 4 String Bass Guitar Modified

    Livonia, New York, 144**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2995


    Please Read our entire auction before bidding
    up for grabs is a Kramer DMZ 4001- 4 string bass guitar the bass has been modified w / a bridge P / u being added with what appears to be a DiMarzio G series Pickup from the mid 1970's & rewired to have series or parallel Pickups, hence the added 2 micro switches & the 3 way switch making this, if not better than the DZM6000 Bass is in very nice condition w / 2 small nicks on it comes w / a beat up fender case for shipping . Bass ... more
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    1980s Kramer Baretta USA Custom Painted Fully Redone German Floyd Rose. Duncan,

    1980's Kramer Baretta USA Custom Painted Fully Redone German Floyd Rose. Duncan,

    Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1250

    1980's Kramer Baretta USA Custom Painted Fully Redone German Floyd Rose. Duncan sh68 distortion pickup CTS pot. brand new. Killer custom paint job. New headstock logo applied. I do not have the original neck plate. But I have one another that works. Will ship FedEx ground fully insured with tracking shipping to the lower 48 states only. No Alaska Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam or PO boxes international shipping provided by eBay global
    ... more
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    Kramer Striker 700ST 1980s P-Bass Style Made in Korea PJ Pickups - Nice!

    Kramer Striker 700ST 1980's P-Bass Style Made in Korea PJ Pickups - Nice!

    San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $300

    1980??s. Great bass in this price range, Grover tuners, PJ Pickup configuration. Great condition for its age
    Please see photos for condition... more
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    VTG Kramer Focus 3000 1980??s Black Modded W /  scalloped neck japan Unique & RAD!

    VTG Kramer Focus 3000 1980??s Black Modded W / scalloped neck japan Unique & RAD!

    Austin, Texas, 787**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $500

    This guitar is awesome, it has had a ton of mods, including some sort of hot rail pick-ups, I cannot find a brand on the back of them, looks like it was modded in the 80??s-90??s so who knows . made in Japan, the biggest mod is the scalloped neck, it is a light scalloping, and it is very well done, I have seen really bad scallops in this one is great. It is missing the locking too part to the nut, but when it has strings on it, I played it, and it sounded good . strings were old tho. I don??t ... more
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    1980 Kramer KXG-20 Vintage Aluminum Neck USA-Made Guitar 100% Original w /  Case

    1980 Kramer KXG-20 Vintage Aluminum Neck USA-Made Guitar 100% Original w / Case

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

    $2500

    Up for sale, a 1980 Kramer KXG-20 in exceptional, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. An early USA-made Kramer produced shortly after Gary Kramer??s departure from Travis Bean, this KXG-20 is engineered for heavy gain, with a solitary DiMarzio humbucker and aluminum neck construction
    This guitar has the distinct articulation, note attack, and ringing sustain that comes with an aluminum neck design, and the tonewood complement is ... more
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    1980 Kramer DMZ 6000B Bass an exceptional example w / stunning Walnut & Maple !

    1980 Kramer DMZ 6000B Bass an exceptional example w / stunning Walnut & Maple !

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2495

    This one is a special top line early production 1979 Kramer DMZ 6000B Bass. One of our favorite throwback Kramers. Back in the 70s, they came along with a truly forward thinking design. Kramer crafted this aluminum-necked marvel from extremely colorful walnut & maple laminations & sporting a stunning crown inlaid ebony fingerboard. The neck has a fast, playable C profile. This guitar has the original cream colored DiMarzio P & J pickups and the original Schaller tuners. It looks very... more
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    1985 Kramer Pacer Imperial R2 Non-scarf Joint Banana!

    1985 Kramer Pacer Imperial R2 Non-scarf Joint Banana!

    Fairfax, Virginia, 220**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1500

    Although it??s in player??s condition (please use photos and ask questions for any concerns or interests) it plays incredibly well. Seldom found without a scarf joint, this Kramer Pacer Imperial has a solid maple shaft. No concerns of stability issues like the scarf joint neck Kramers had. It also has an R2 nut instead of the R5 size which is also more common of this era.

    Neck is straight and the frets have about 70% life, the action is low and silky smooth!

    Everything on ... more
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    Kramer Focus 2000 Electric Guitar 1980??s in original condition with hardcase

    Kramer Focus 2000 Electric Guitar 1980??s in original condition with hardcase

    Melbourne, Florida, 329**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $785

    Kramer Focus 2000 Electric Guitar with hard case. This made in Japan Focus 2000 is in good condition with original Kramer hard case. The made in Germany Schaller tremolo system includes the locking nut, adjustment hex wrenches, tremolo fine tuners, the original tremolo sway bar and Schaller sealed tuners with straight-mount screw holes made in West Germany. The guitar has a straight maple wood neck with little wear to the frets or rosewood fret board and has the recessed amplifier jack input ... more
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    1978 Kramer 650B Artist Series Electric Bass Guitar With Case

    1978 Kramer 650B Artist Series Electric Bass Guitar With Case

    Godfrey, Illinois, 620**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $3895

    1978 Kramer 650B Artist series bass in immaculate condition. I have personally owned this bass for over 20 years and it has never left the studio. I searched foe years to find one this nice. It plays beautifully. It is missing one knob no big deal, if I find it I will put it on. If not, you can easily get one. It plays like no other bass I have ever owned. Shipping is $125 in 48 states insured and you must sign for it whomever gets this instrument, will be glad they did. Its beautiful.... more
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    1978 Kramer 450B Fretless Bass

    1978 Kramer 450B Fretless Bass

    Lee's Summit, Missouri, 640**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1498

    This is the Kramer 450 B, made in the USA. It is very clean, with a rare black factory finish. The pickups have an early Kramer logo engraved on them. Professionally inspected in our shop. Included original hardshell case.... more
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    Find more Kramer, Kramer Basses at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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    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.