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GIBSON | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Gibson advertisement (1972)

Gibson Offers a World of Sound

Gibson Flattops

Gibson offers a world of sound. It's a world that starts with a far-reaching search for the finest raw materials the earth has to offer. Distance is no object. The only important consideration is quality. Quality worthy of the skilled master craftsmen who blend these materials into the perfect guitar and add the honored Gibson name. We could simplify things quite a bit by using the most conveniently available materials in making a Gibson. But then we'd have to change the name, because it wouldn't be a Gibson anymore. It would be just another guitar. Does all this really make a difference in the sound of a guitar? Stop in at your local Gibson guitar dealer and play one. It makes a world of difference.

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    Gibson advertisement (1972) Gibson Offers a World of Sound

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    1958 Les Paul Standard Neck Gibson factory installed in 58 on 53 Goldtop see ad

    1958 Les Paul Standard Neck Gibson factory installed in 58 on 53 Goldtop see ad

    Hopewell, New Jersey, 085**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $96395

    From the private collection of Sound Investments USA LLC

    1958 53 Goldtop Les Paul electric guitar sn. 8 3078
    It has a 1958 Gibson factory installed neck (put on in 1958) on a 1953 Les Paul Goldtop
    If you own a $400, 000 00 58 Les Paul that needs a 1958 original neck, then this guitar is for you!
    I have priced it for just that. I will consider reasonable best offers
    Ok here is the history of this guitar as told by the original owner. I am the second owner and While I had... more
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    Vintage 1968 Gibson ES-335 "Boob Logo" Pickguard Narrow Bevel ES-345 ES335 1967

    Vintage 1968 Gibson ES-335 "Boob Logo" Pickguard Narrow Bevel ES-345 ES335 1967

    Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $245

    Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
    A fantastic and completely original
    Vintage Gibson 1968 "Boob Logo" ES-335 or ES-345 pickguard
    Very nice vintage Gibson guard!
    This is the rare, correct guard for your vintage 1968 ES-335 or 345
    For that year and that year alone, Gibson embossed nearly all pickguards with the Gibson logo and a very cool art deco design now called the "boob logo"
    Very nice patina from decades of use
    Get it back to stock, ... more
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    VINTAGE 1969 USA Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar String NUT Original Part EB O 1 2

    VINTAGE 1969 USA Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar String NUT Original Part EB O 1 2

    Plano, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $149

    ORIGINAL  1969 USA Gibson bass string nut from a parted EB-3 , String grooves are original size, see pics for dimensions, original patina,   Original 1969 Gibson, Thanks for looking!


    ... more
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    Vintage 1958 Gibson GA-9 Combo Amp Black Tolex

    Vintage 1958 Gibson GA-9 Combo Amp Black Tolex

    Santa Clarita, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $800

    Vintage original 1950s Gibson GA-9 combo amp. Absolutely fantastic warm and fat blues tones.
    Serviced and working great with a good 3 prong chord so no shocks or sound issues. Has a replaced Eminence speaker. Emblem not original
    Perfect for recording and gigging
    ... more
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    1979 Vintage Aria Pro II LC-500 Les Paul Custom Style MIJ Japan W Gibson Dimarzi

    1979 Vintage Aria Pro II LC-500 Les Paul Custom Style MIJ Japan W Gibson Dimarzi

    Oak Park, Illinois, 603**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $890

    This is a VERY well made to Gibson spec in Japan 1979 Aria Pro II LC-500 with upgrades. The entire electronics array is Gibson, the neck pickup is a vintage DiMarzio PAF Classic, Bridge Pickup is out of a 90??s Les Paul Custom. Pancake body construction like Gibsons of the era, proper 70??s volute, long tenon neck, 60??s style neck profile. Frets are fine, fret end bibs intact, original acorn truss rod nut intact. There??s obviously signs of use / play on the guitar, it??s 45 years old, but ... more
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    Vintage 1960s Gibson Witchhat Knob Set Witch Hat SG Standard ES-335 ES175 1968

    Vintage 1960's Gibson Witchhat Knob Set Witch Hat SG Standard ES-335 ES175 1968

    Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $245

    Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
    A completely original and fantastic
    Vintage Gibson 1967 - 1979 "Witchhat" knob set(Silver Inserts)
    Rare and correct for that awesome 1966-1969 Gibson! This is an awesome matched set in super nice shape. Please note - the font on the "VOL" knobs is slightly different on the inserts. The number font is the same and this set is matched from the same guitar - thank you!
    No damage, No cracks, no splits
    Correct ... more
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    1968 Gibson ES-175 D Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst w /  Pat # Pickups

    1968 Gibson ES-175 D Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst w / Pat # Pickups

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

    $7500

    Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson ES-175D in exceptional condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. A clean vintage example, this ES-175 boasts its original "patent sticker" humbuckers, delivering a detailed and dynamic range of tones. Acoustically, the fully hollow maple body delivers a big, open sound with both the immediate attack and clarity of maple, and an airy, smooth quality befitting the hollowbody construction. These patent sticker humbuckers both meter in the mid... more
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    Gibson Standard 58 Les Paul Goldtop 1958 Reissue 1971 1 of 25 rarest Les Paul

    Gibson Standard 58 Les Paul Goldtop 1958 Reissue 1971 1 of 25 rarest Les Paul

    Hopewell, New Jersey, 085**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $10695

    Gibson Standard 58 Les Paul Goldtop 1958 Reissue 1971 With original hang tag and blank guarantee card returnable to Kalamazoo
    Being offered from the private collection of Sound Investments USA LLC

    CONDITION AND PRICING PLEASE READ:
    All electronics work and are original . very clean guitar. The Frets are ok but here is what my luthier said. The neck is slightly bowed on low E side and straight on high E side which he states can be fixed by replacing frets and compensating for ... more
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    1977 Vintage Fender Gibson Guitar Potentiometer CTS 250k

    1977 Vintage Fender Gibson Guitar Potentiometer CTS 250k

    Salina, Kansas, 674**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $115


    Pulled from vintage parts collection... more
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    1959 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul 1x12 Combo Tweed

    1959 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul 1x12 Combo Tweed

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

    $2829

    Up for sale is an amazing sounding and coveted 1959 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul 1x12 Combo amplifier in its original tweed covering. I've always thought these are some of the best amps to come out of this era and at a fraction of the price of a Tweed Deluxe how could you say no? This example has had a 3 prong cable installed, has an aftermarket Tone Tubby TTC12-8 speaker installed, and an assortment of vintage tubes. Transformers are coded 166933, 133933 and 133937 all dating to 1959. Cosmetically ... more
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    Vintage 1960s Gibson ES-175D "narrow bevel" Pickguard Guard ES-175 1966 1967 .

    Vintage 1960's Gibson ES-175D "narrow bevel" Pickguard Guard ES-175 1966 1967 .

    Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $245

    Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
    A fantastic and original
    Vintage Gibson ES-175D Narrow Bevel Pickguard with the original mounting bracket
    Original 1960's Gibson ES-175D narrow bevel pickguard
    Original Mounting Bracket included!
    This will fit your mid / late 60's ES-175D double Humbucking model perfectly
    The REAL DEAL in killer shape!
    Great original condition with minimal pickwear and almost zero warping
    An incredible and rare ... more
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    1969 Gibson EBO Control cavity plate cover Eb3 Bass

    1969 Gibson EBO Control cavity plate cover Eb3 Bass

    Buffalo, New York, 142**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $150

    See pictures ask questions

    No returns or exchanges on used parts
    ... more
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    1967 GIBSON EB2-C: MADE IN KALAMAZOO, MI (WITH ORIGINAL HARD CASE) (HA2037500)

    1967 GIBSON EB2-C: MADE IN KALAMAZOO, MI (WITH ORIGINAL HARD CASE) (HA2037500)

    Harrison, Arkansas, 726**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2995

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    1963 Gibson EB-0 Vintage Short Scale SG Bass Cherry w /  Mudbucker, Case

    1963 Gibson EB-0 Vintage Short Scale SG Bass Cherry w / Mudbucker, Case

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

    $3900

    Up for sale, a 1963 Gibson EB-0 in perfect working order, 100% original save for a refret and carved bone nut, and complete with a hardshell case. Introduced in 1959 in response to declining sales of the EB-1, the EB-0 originally came with a Les Paul Junior style body, quickly superseded by the SG style body (like the example seen here) in 1961. Lightweight at 7lbs 7oz with solid mahogany construction, this bass delivers pure, fat low-end thump courtesy of the famous "Mudbucker" pickup. The rich... more
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    Very Cool  1964 Vintage Gibson B25 Natural Acoustic Guitar in Case

    Very Cool 1964 Vintage Gibson B25 Natural Acoustic Guitar in Case

    Van Nuys, California, 914**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2650

    Very Cool 1964 Vintage Gibson B25 Natural Acoustic Guitar in Case. All original, No broken parts, Original bridge. Some Coating wear on the back of the neck. Straight neck, low strings action. The guitar produce amazing deep sound. Comes in the nice case.... more
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    1964 Vintage Gibson J50 ADJ Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar excellent condition

    1964 Vintage Gibson J50 ADJ Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar excellent condition

    Hopewell, New Jersey, 085**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $6300

    1964 Vintage Gibson J50 ADJ Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar excellent condition
    This 59 ½ year old guitar Vintage Gibson J50 ADJ was barely played! Awesome condition. The pictures don??t do her justice. There are very few signs of use or age for that matter. Please see the pictures
    SN#168237 places her at 1964 almost 60 years old. The action is on the lower side, and she has a straight neck, rounded shoulders and a sweet body! Just grab her by the G string and you won??t want to let go.... more
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    1968 Gibson J-45 Adj B

    1968 Gibson J-45 Adj B

    Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $8695

    1968 Gibson J-45 B, Rare factory Black finish with White guard, Added vintage DeArmond Pickup and jack, Stamped ??2?? on the back of the headstock, Bought from the family of the original owner, Hang tag, Very cool guitar, EC, Original semi hard case.... more
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    1974 Gibson SG Special Walnut

    1974 Gibson SG Special Walnut

    Farmingdale, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2499

    p @media screen and (max-width: 560px){ } @media screen and (max-width: 780px){ } @media(min-width: 930px){ } @media(min-width: 1200px){ } a a#fav:hover{ color: #fcbf45; } a @media screen and (max-width: 560px){ a } a a a a a a a a a Add us to your Favorite Sellers! ??
    Questions? We can help!
    Contact us today!
    30-Day Money Back
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    1966 Gibson ES-330 TDC Cherry Vintage Electric Guitar Excellent w / Pro setup OHSC

    1966 Gibson ES-330 TDC Cherry Vintage Electric Guitar Excellent w / Pro setup OHSC

    Hopewell, New Jersey, 085**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $5825

    1966 Gibson ES-330 TDC Cherry Vintage Electric Guitar Excellent condition straight neck & very low playing time on this one. She sports a pro setup with low action. The Original Hard Shell Case well worth $500 on its own. Excellent Condition and new strings 10's. In this condition they are rare as this is one of 1151 Cherry ES-330 TDC's produced in 1966. The serial number is 887311. The neck joint at the 16th fret confirms she was born in 1966. Polished , neck lemon oiled, new set of ... more
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    1965 Gibson EB-2 Bass a very special ordered EB-2 in a factory Argentine Gray !

    1965 Gibson EB-2 Bass a very special ordered EB-2 in a factory Argentine Gray !

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

    $8995

    The Gibson EB-2 Bass was invented in 1959 & made famous by many players. This example is oh-so rare & very special ordered by its 1st owner & is 1 of the coolest special ordered EB-2??s from 1965. Its beautiful slightly faded original ??Argentine Gray?? custom color finish is what this is all about & its so frickin rare. Its 1 of only 2 of this color known to exist. Its 1 piece mahogany neck feel delicious. No volute nor Made in the USA stamp. She??s got a perfect orange label ... more
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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.