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FENDER | CATALOGUES | 1964 1965 | PAGE 5

Fender Bassman, Bandmaster, Tremolux, Concert and Pro amplifiers

Fender 1964/1965 catalog page 5

Fender 1964/1965 guitar catalogue. Page 5. Details of five Fender amplifiers: the Fender Bassman, Fender Bandmaster, Fender Tremolux, Fender Concert and Fender Pro.

The Fender Bassman is described as follows:

FENDER BASSMAN AMP The "Piggy-back" Bassman Amplifier incorporates two enclosed speakers with a separate amplifier chassis unit. The use of the enclosed 12" Heavy-Duty Custom Design Speakers with their special design baffles make the Bassman distortion-free, allowing the player to use his full bass notes and ample volume. Another new Bassman feature is the incorporation of dual channels: one a Bass channel, and the other Normal which may be used with guitar, accordion or other instruments. In addition, the Bassman is equipped with "tilt-back" legs for better sound distribution. The new Fender Bassman has rapidly become a favorite with bassists throughout the world, and is recommended to those players who desire the finest in electric bass, bass guitar and guitar amplification. Twelve tube performance. 2-12" heavy duty speakers. SIZE: Chassis Unit: Height 8", Width 221/4", Depth 9" Speaker Unit: Height 21- Width 32", Depth 111/2"

1964 1965 Fender guitar catalog page 5 - Fender Bassman, Bandmaster, Tremolux, Concert and Pro
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Fender Bassman, Bandmaster, Tremolux, Concert and Pro amps for sale

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1964 Fender Early Blackface Amp White knob Original Kurz Kasch makers mark

1964 Fender Early Blackface Amp White knob Original Kurz Kasch makers mark

Greenwood, Indiana, 461**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$35

This listing is for one (1) knob from a 1964 Princeton. Has the all important Kurz Kasch makers mark inside the shaft hole. Repros never feature this as Kurz Kash stopped manufacturing knobs in the 80's. Worn and dirty, but intact and ready to use. Lots of wear, dings, scrapes, etc. Sold as is.
... more
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1964 Fender Aston MiniMite Capacitors Pre-CBS Tube Amplifier W / Fender Ink Codes

1964 Fender Aston MiniMite Capacitors Pre-CBS Tube Amplifier W / Fender Ink Codes

Lufkin, Texas, 759**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$175

1964 Fender Aston MiniMite Capacitors Pre-CBS Tube Amplifier (2) 40uf @ 450v filter caps & (2) 25+25 mf @ 25v coupling capacitors. These are perfect for either re-stuffing to give your amp an all original look or you might get away with re-using them. I??ve had these for at least 25 years but I cannot recall which amp they came out of. It had to be either a Super Reverb or a Deluxe Reverb because those are the only two actual pre-cbs blackface amps I recall owning in the last 20 years. Both ... more
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Vintage 1964  10 in. Speakers for Fender Vibrolux  Reverb Amps

Vintage 1964 10 in. Speakers for Fender Vibrolux Reverb Amps

Peckville, Pennsylvania, 184**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$285

2 -Vintage 1964 10 in. Speakers for Fender Vibrolux Reverb Amp These are UTAH speakers (Most Oct -Dec 1964 have Oxford)These were pulled from a Dec 1964 Vibrolux I bought in 1998 from a VERY WELL TRUSTED CA dealer. That amp amp needed servicing and Tolex was beat, but I was buying it to rebuild a 1-15" Vibroverb clone. These weight 24 lbs. properly packed
I have owned over 9 of these Vibrolux Reverb amps since 1965 (see last picture, I was 13 then)
Shipped insured with ... more
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1965 Black Face Fender Deluxe Reverb Knobs

1965 Black Face Fender Deluxe Reverb Knobs

Baldwin, New York, 115**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$440

These seven knobs came off a 1965 black face deluxe reverb, Fender amplifier number 10 set screw very hard to fine the longer I keep them the more they seem to go up. What would you do if you were me? They need to be cleaned up. I??m not touching them I will insure them like I always insure thank you
... more
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fender amplifier vintage 1965 Blackface

fender amplifier vintage 1965 Blackface

San Jose, California, 951**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

1965 fender black face vintage amplifier in working condition.
... more
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Fender Champ Amp Vintage 1965 Blackface

Fender Champ Amp Vintage 1965 Blackface

Long Branch, New Jersey, 077**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1250

Fender Champ Amp
Vintage 1965 Blackface, new caps, JJ tubes, and new vintage style Weber speaker. Evaluated and renovated by 30th street guitars in NYC
... more
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1965 Fender Bassman amp head

1965 Fender Bassman amp head

Pittsford, New York, 145**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1395

Wow! A vintage '65 Fender Bassman head made by the pre-CBS "Fender Electric Instrument Co "Own a piece of American history and improve your tone!
Stamped "OC" and has "AA864" printed on the inside label, indicating a 1965 manufacturing date and including the sought-after AA864 circuitry This amp has just been serviced by a renowned amp tech who verified the circuit and did the maintainance service. He replaced the original leaking caps, the power cord, tubes, and fuse to make the amp safe ... more
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1965 Vintage Fender Bassman guitar amp

1965 Vintage Fender Bassman guitar amp

Wakefield, Rhode Island, 028**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1950

This vintage Fender Bassman guitar amplifier is a true gem for any musician or collector. Made in 1965, it boasts a powerful 50W two channel amplifier with vacuum tube technology, and features two 12" Special Design speakers. This stack-style amplifier produces a rich, classic sound that is perfect for any music style. Fender is well-known for producing high-quality musical equipment, and this model was no exception. It is a must-have for any serious guitar player or vintage gear enthusiast ... more
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1964 Fender Concert Blackface Amp +60s Fender Bassman Cabinet 2x12 Guitar Combo

1964 Fender Concert Blackface Amp +60s Fender Bassman Cabinet 2x12 Guitar Combo

Collegeville, Pennsylvania, 194**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

1964 Fender Blackface Concert Amp Head (Rare Mod) / w Matching Fender 1960s Bassman Cabinet / w 2x12 Guitar Speakers
This is a very rare and special Fender combo. There were no Concert amps issued in the 50 / 60s by Fender as a 'head only' unit so this one represents a rare exception. The head was made using the upper portion of an original Fender Concert amp cabinet that had had speakers in it at one time. Cabinet modification was done many years ago with quality in mind. The resulting ... more
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Vintage 1964 Blonde Fender Showman Guitar Tube Head AB763

Vintage 1964 Blonde Fender Showman Guitar Tube Head AB763

Spring, Texas, 773**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2150

Completely restored, recapped, new tube sockets, retubed matching pairs by Todd Sharp of Nashville Amplifier Service & Todd Sharp Amps. Very good condition, clean and performs beautifully. Punchy and powerful as expected from a proper example of this model. *No back panel. Prefer local sale
Shipping can be sketchy, and postage is a bit expensive due to the size and type of the box required plus insurance. Feel free to make your own shipping arrangements or pickup local, ??I??m happy to ... more
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1965 FENDER BASSMAN AMPLIFIER HEAD - ONE OWNER - I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 1965

1965 FENDER BASSMAN AMPLIFIER HEAD - ONE OWNER - I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 1965

Lake Worth, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2250

1965 Fender Bassman Head. I purchased this amp in 1965 new from Harris Music Store on clematis Street, downtown West Palm Beach, Florida and used it professionally for several years up and down the east coast. I used it once in a while ever since. In 2005 it needed work (for the first time) so I brought it to the Amp Shop, in WPB, FL. and they replaced caps and tubes and I had them install a attachment cord with a ground and a three-prong cord cap. (no need for the polarity switch the used to ... more
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1965 Fender Vibro Champ Vintage Black Panel Tube Amp 1x8, Class A, FEIC

1965 Fender Vibro Champ Vintage Black Panel Tube Amp 1x8, Class A, FEIC

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

$2400

Up for sale, a 1965 Fender Vibro Champ in excellent condition and in perfect working order. This Vibro Champ has the model's introductory features including the Pre-CBS-era "Fender Electric Instrument Co" faceplate and no-logo grill
This Black Panel-era Fender wonder delivers five watts of pure Class A tube tone. A surprisingly loud amp via the original Oxford alnico magnet 8" speaker, the Vibro Champ offers warm, dynamic cleans before pushing into smooth, lightly compressed tube overdrive ... more
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Fender Bassman Head 1965 Amplifier Bass Tub Amp Vintage Rare model AA165 Pre-CBS

Fender Bassman Head 1965 Amplifier Bass Tub Amp Vintage Rare model AA165 Pre-CBS

Nashville, Tennessee, 372**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2400

Retro Gear Shop is a high-end boutique store located in Nashville, Tennessee
Fender Bassman Head 1965
For sale is a rare vintage Fender Bassman Head 1965. This just got back from servicing by our techs and is fully functional, ready to go, sounds great! Model AA165 Pre-CBS
*Check out the pictures to make sure you like it. Pictures are of actual item for sale *
Flat rate shipping in the USA
Discounted international shipping flat rate.... more
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Fender Deluxe 1964 AB763 Tremolo 1x12" 2 6V6 Tube Vintage Guitar Amplifier

Fender Deluxe 1964 AB763 Tremolo 1x12" 2 6V6 Tube Vintage Guitar Amplifier

Mankato, Minnesota, 560**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499

PAWN AMERICA KEY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS :
Brand: FenderExact Year: 1964Model: Fender DeluxeMPN: AB763Country / Region of Manufacture: United States Features :
This 1964 vintage guitar amplifier stands out for its simplicity and exceptional tone quality. It's a non-reverb variant, distinguishing itself with just two preamp gain stages and a tremolo effect. This model is particularly rare and sought after, featuring a... more
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Fender Super Reverb 4x10 Tube Guitar Amplifier VINTAGE 1964

Fender Super Reverb 4x10 Tube Guitar Amplifier VINTAGE 1964

Anaheim, California, 928**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

This Fender Super Reverb 4x10 Tube Guitar Amplifier is a vintage piece from 1964 that will take your guitar playing to the next level. With its powerful vacuum tube technology, this combo amplifier is perfect for guitarists who want to achieve a classic sound. The four 10-inch speakers provide a full-bodied sound that is perfect for live performances and recording sessions. This amplifier is made by one of the most trusted brands in the guitar industry, Fender. Featuring a classic design, this ... more
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1965 Fender Bassman-Amp AA165 Tube Bass Amplifier Head #50012

1965 Fender Bassman-Amp AA165 Tube Bass Amplifier Head #50012

Burbank, California, 915**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2695

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eBay Template Design by OCDesignsOnline HomeAboutTestimonialsPoliciesContactSell your Gear 1965 Fender Bassman-Amp AA165 Tube Bass Amplifier Head #50012 ××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× Item DescriptionWORKING CONDITION: Very good - This amp is in very good working condition. There is a wide range of clean ... more
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1965 Fender Bassman-Amp Tube Amplifier Head Recovered Blonde #50272

1965 Fender Bassman-Amp Tube Amplifier Head Recovered Blonde #50272

Burbank, California, 915**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2995

ebay template
eBay Template Design by OCDesignsOnline HomeAboutTestimonialsPoliciesContactSell your Gear 1965 Fender Bassman-Amp Tube Amplifier Head Recovered Blonde #50272 ××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× Item DescriptionWORKING CONDITION: Excellent - This amp is in excellent working condition. Each channel works as it ... more
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1964 Fender Tremolux Amp

1964 Fender Tremolux Amp

Vauxhall, New Jersey, 070**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2999

Great sounding 1964 rare blonde tolex Fender Tremolux head and cabinet with original Oxford speakers
All original circuit except caps and tubes Death cap removed, 3 prong power cord installed and ground switch converted to NF bypass Amazing sound At some point this amp tolex was painted black, but has been refinished back to blonde Sale is final No returns or refunds
... more
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Vintage 1965 Fender Vibrolux Reverb Guitar Combo Amp w /  Cover

Vintage 1965 Fender Vibrolux Reverb Guitar Combo Amp w / Cover

Denton, Texas, 762**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

This is a Vintage 1965 Fender Vibrolux Reverb 35-Watt, Black Panel, 2-Channel Combo Tube Amplifier w / Cover!
The Black Panel Fender Vibrolux Reverb is one of the more desirable amps of the era. Fender discontinued the Brownface Vibrolux Amp in early '64, almost immediately replacing it with the Vibrolux Reverb. Sporting 35 watts of power from two 6L6 tubes in a 2x10" configuration, these amps broke up fairly early compared to the bigger 6L6 Fenders of the era thanks to their smaller ... more
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Fender Princeton Amp (non-Reverb) - All Original - 1964

Fender Princeton Amp (non-Reverb) - All Original - 1964

Jackson, Mississippi, 392**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

Here??s an amazing example of a super sought after amp. We??ve got a Fender Princeton Amp from Dec 1964 in great condition. Everything appears to be all original and functioning properly. It does still have the original 2-prong cord attached. The end of the cord has had some plastic fall away (as shown), so it has been taped over for safety in testing (as shown). Ran through all knobs, everything was working well, didn??t even have much dust scratching in the pots. Really a fantastic sounding ... 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

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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

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1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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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

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1973 Eko Ranger Folk

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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.