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GIBSON | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Gibson advertisement (1977)

Before Gibson Designed The S-1, Ron Wood Had His Guitars Customized

Gibson S-1

1977 advert for the S-1, featuring Ron Wood. A very similar advert was put out the previous year; featuring Ron Wood, alongside Rod Stewart
The guitars that Ron Wood has played with Jeff Beck. Rod Stewart & Faces and now the Rolling Stones were customized to the point that the names on the pegheads were meaningless. But this isn't the case with Ron's new Gibson S-1 guitar. Its a genuine Gibson right oft the production line.
Ron s forte is loud, hard, powerful rock & roll. and the three high frequency pickups put out everything he needs. They re flexible too, under the control of a four position pickup/phase selector switch, plus a bypass switch that shuts off everything but the lead pickup. So. Ron can evoke the mood he needs for a mournful Maggie Mae, or make the music burn for Gimmie Shelter..
Ron Wood can afford the most expensive customized guitar. But instead he plays the best. A factory made Gibson S-1 —the quitar that s priced for just about anyone. Available in Natural, Sunburst and Black

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Gibson advertisement (1977) Before Gibson Designed The S-1, Ron Wood Had His Guitars Customized

Other related vintage advertisements

Gibson S-1 - Before Gibson Designed The S-1, Ron Wood Had His Guitars Customized
Gibson S-1 - Before Gibson Designed The S-1, Ron Wood Had His Guitars Customized
1976 advert for the S-1, featuring Ron Wood and Rod Stewart. A very similar advert was put out in 1977; compositionally identical, though with updated picture of Ron Wood, and without Rod Stewart
Gibson S-1 - Gibson Guitars. To the Tune of $399 and Up
Gibson S-1 - Gibson Guitars. To the Tune of $399 and Up
Gibson electric guitars begin with the Marauder at $399. And it begins where most of its competitors leave off—with high power electronics, a full range pan pickup potentiometer and the same...

2025 Vintage Guitar price guide 2025 Vintage Guitar price guide

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Gibson S-1

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Gibson Vintage 1950 ES-125 Project Guitar ES 125 1950s

Gibson Vintage 1950 ES-125 Project Guitar ES 125 1950's

Petaluma, California, 949**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$995



Vintage 1950 Gibson ES-125 Project Guitar
Good Condition with WearOriginal FinishMahogany neck is straightNut width 1 11 / 16thFretboard Good Condition with some Cowboy WearTruss rod worksSee PhotosFON 5512No CaseShipping Lower 48 $110 00All others email for quoteWe Ship Worldwide... more
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GIBSON 1955 ES-175D BLONDE MOTOWN CELEB UNCIRCULATED 1 OWNER w /  PROVENANCE

GIBSON 1955 ES-175D BLONDE 'MOTOWN' CELEB UNCIRCULATED 1 OWNER w / PROVENANCE

Ferndale, Michigan, 482**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$12450

Gibson ES-175D
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Here we have a 1955 Gibson ES-175 D Blonde archtop guitar in amazing condition. The guitar looks and basically is original except it was restored by it's only owner Johnny Bassett 30 years ago. By the way, Johnny was a good customer for over 3 decades as we would repair his amps and do a set up or a guitar a repair here and there for him. As a matter of fact I did a ... more
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Gibson Vintage 1960s Gibson ES-175 ES-150 J-45 J-50 Case 1964 1965 1966 1967-69

Gibson Vintage 1960's Gibson ES-175 ES-150 J-45 J-50 Case 1964 1965 1966 1967-69

Petaluma, California, 949**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$595

** Vintage Mid-Late 1960's Gibson ES-175 150 J-45 J-50 16" Case *
Good Condition
See Photos
Fully Insured Shipping to the Lower 48 States $120 00
We Ship Worldwide
International Buyers ask for Quote
071025 1... more
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Vintage 1963 Gibson ES-175D Original Sunburst Finish, Dual PAF, ES-175 Killer!

Vintage 1963 Gibson ES-175D Original Sunburst Finish, Dual PAF, ES-175 Killer!

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

$4995

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic
Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer a killer:
1963 Gibson ES-175D
1963 is a great year for vintage Gibson guitars - this incredibly cool 175 was made during the heart of the "magic years" of American guitar craftsmanship, by the same hands in the same year as the highly coveted 335's, SG's and others. 63 and 64 have also become known for being Gibson's return to a fatter neck profile that they ... more
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Gibson 1961 ES-125TC Archtop Electric Guitar #23247 - Used

Gibson 1961 ES-125TC Archtop Electric Guitar #23247 - Used

Durham, North Carolina, 277**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2800

Store About Policies Contact Store About Shipping Financing Support Contact... more
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Vintage 1939 Gibson ES-150 Charlie Christian Amazing Original Condition ES-150CC

Vintage 1939 Gibson ES-150 Charlie Christian Amazing Original Condition ES-150CC

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

$12995

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offIter, for your consideration,
A fantastic
Vintage 1939 Gibson ES-150 "Charlie Christian" Model!
These guitars really need no introduction. this example, being 86 years of age and the first commercially offered electric guitar, is quite quite special.
This example, fully original save a set of correct open gear nickel tuners, is the finest example of a vintage ES-150 we have ever come across. These stunning popularity of these guitars in ... more
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1956 Gibson ES-140T 3 / 4 Sunburst

1956 Gibson ES-140T 3 / 4 Sunburst

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

$4729

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Questions? We can help!
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1960s-1970s Vintage Gibson Reflector Volume Knob EB-0 / SG / Les Paul Custom

1960s-1970s Vintage Gibson Reflector Volume Knob EB-0 / SG / Les Paul Custom

Jacksonville, Florida, 322**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$97

Up for sale is a 1960s-1970s Gibson Les Paul / ES / EB Reflector Volume Knob!
VERY GOOD working and cosmetic condition!
Buy it Now before anyone else or Submit Your Best Offer
SHIPPING: USA - $9 WORLDWIDE - $25
... more
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1960s-1970s Vintage Gibson Reflector Tone Knob EB-0 / SG / Les Paul Custom

1960s-1970s Vintage Gibson Reflector Tone Knob EB-0 / SG / Les Paul Custom

Jacksonville, Florida, 322**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$97

Up for sale is a 1960s-1970s Gibson Les Paul / SG / EB Reflector Tone Knob!
VERY GOOD working and cosmetic condition!
Buy it Now before anyone else or Submit Your Best Offer
SHIPPING: USA - $9 WORLDWIDE - $25
We Ship Overseas!... more
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Vintage, Early 1960s Gibson Guitar ES-120T

Vintage, Early 1960's Gibson Guitar ES-120T

Volant, Pennsylvania, 161**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1800

Vintage, Early 1960's Gibson Guitar ES-120T Vintage, Early 1960's Gibson Guitar ES-120T
From an estate. 41 inches long, 16 inches wide  
We do combine shipping on multiple purchases to save you $
READ THIS BEFORE YOU BUY FROM US!
Every return is a loss for a seller! Not just in shipping fees, but in the time it takes... more
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RARE 1981 Gibson ES-175CC Archtop Electric Guitar Antique Sunburst ~ 100% Orig. VG

RARE 1981 Gibson ES-175CC Archtop Electric Guitar Antique Sunburst ~ 100% Orig. VG

Collingswood, New Jersey, 081**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9450

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Music, Instruments Jewelry: Antique / Vintag??e MENSJEWELRY: CAMEOSJewelry: 1940-1980's VintageJewelry: 1910 - 1939 Art DecoJewelry: 1837-1910 VictorianJewelry: 1895-1910 Art NouveauJEWELRY: Necklaces, Pendants WATCHES & WATCH ACCESSORIES JEWELRY: Brooches & PinsJEWELRY: EarringsJEWELRY: BraceletsJEWELRY: LocketsJEWELRY: Charms & BraceletsJEWELRY: SetsJEWELRY: RingsJEWELRY: SILVERCHINA & PORCELAINRELIGIOUS ... more
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1975 Vintage Gibson L6-S / S-1 Midnight Special Neck Plate Nickel 1970s

1975 Vintage Gibson L6-S / S-1 Midnight Special Neck Plate Nickel 1970s

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

$89

Steel construction, nickel finish, normal light vintage wear with patina, original 1970s USA Gibson part, (1) plate only, no mounting screws, thanks for looking!
... more
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Gibson ES-175D 1969   single owner guitar  w /  case

Gibson ES-175D 1969 single owner guitar w / case

North Canton, Ohio, 447**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4650

The Gibson ES-175 (1949??2019) is a hollow body Jazz electric guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. The ES-175 became one of Gibson's most popular guitar designs
Shipped signature required to US buyer with established history. This will be shipped ground at the beginning of a work week.... more
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Vintage 1950s Gibson Kluson Strip Tuners - NO Line - Les Paul Junior, ES-125 LG

Vintage 1950's Gibson Kluson Strip Tuners - NO Line - Les Paul Junior, ES-125 LG

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

$175

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A completely original and fantastic
Vintage 1950's Gibson / Kluson "No line" Strip Tuner Set
Correct for your early / mid 50's Gibson Les Paul Junior or Special
Also correct for the ES-125, LG-1 acoustic and many others!
This set has a new set of tuner buttons installed. Great working condition with very little wear to the original casings. Original screws included as pictured!
GET IT BACK TO STOCK, GET ... more
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Vintage 1967  Gibson Guitar ES-120T in Very Good Condition

Vintage 1967 Gibson Guitar ES-120T in Very Good Condition

Memphis, Tennessee, 381**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

1967 Gibson ES120 in Very Good Condition. The neck is straight and the action is low. Frets are in good shape with plenty of life left. Electronics function perfectly. Non-original Kluson type tuners. Serial # 118488. Comes with non-original case (back latch is broken)
Make: Gibson
Model: ES120
Year: 1967
Scale length: 25 "
Weight: 5lbs 6oz
Nut Width: 1 6750 "
Neck Width at 12th fret: 2 0830 "
Neck Thickness at 1st fret: .8285 "
Neck Thickness at 12th ... more
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Vintage 1950 Gibson ES-125 Archtop Electric Guitar, Hollowbody ~  Player Condition

Vintage 1950 Gibson ES-125 Archtop Electric Guitar, Hollowbody ~ Player Condition

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

$1750

Up for sale is an original vintage 1950 Gibson ES-125 archtop guitar. I'm selling it for my dad who bought it from the bass player of my teenage rock band in 1990 in Phenix City, Alabama. It has been stored in a climate-controlled environment ever since
Condition:This guitar has the original pickup & knobs. It plays like a dream and has a straight neck and no buzzing frets. The electronics all work great. The tuners are non original re-issue Kluson Single Line replacements because ... more
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Gibson Vintage 1957 Case ES-175 ES-295 125 J-45 J-50 L-5 SJ 1959 1958 1950s

Gibson Vintage 1957 Case ES-175 ES-295 125 J-45 J-50 L-5 SJ 1959 1958 1950's

Petaluma, California, 949**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1425

** Vintage 1950's Gibson ES-175 125 295 J-45 J-50 SJ and Others 16" Case *
Excellent Condition
All Latches Function Correctly
See Photos
Fully Insured Shipping to the Lower 48 States $120 00
We Ship Worldwide
International Buyers ask for Quote
062625 1... more
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1968 Gibson ES-125 DC Vintage Hollowbody Guitar Sunburst w /  P-90s, Case

1968 Gibson ES-125 DC Vintage Hollowbody Guitar Sunburst w / P-90s, Case

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

$4200

Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson ES-125 DC in near-mint condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. An uncommon vintage Gibson archtop, the ES-125 DC is the cutaway / two pickup iteration of the ES-125 platform (as the DC - Double Pickup, Cutaway - suffix would suggest). What sets this model apart is its full depth body, measuring 3 3 / 8 " , much rarer than Gibson's thinline archtops of the era, and essentially making this guitar akin to a mid-1950s ES-175 with more ... more
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1965 Gibson ES-125TC Thinline Hollow-Body Electric Guitar Sunburst P-90s 1960s

1965 Gibson ES-125TC Thinline Hollow-Body Electric Guitar Sunburst P-90's 1960s

Jacksonville, Florida, 322**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2797

? Up for sale is a 1965 Gibson ES-125TC Sunburst?? a vintage thinline hollow-body electric guitar with classic '60s mojo and warm, articulate tone
The ES-125TC is a single cutaway, fully hollow electric built in Gibson??s golden-era Kalamazoo factory. With its slim profile and single P-90 pickup, it delivers vintage blues, jazz, and rock tones with sweet resonance and a raw edge when pushed. This guitar is lightweight, comfortable, and full of vintage character ?? perfect for collectors ... more
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1964 Gibson ES-125 or SG Junior Wiring Harness Assembly Vintage 1960s

1964 Gibson ES-125 or SG Junior Wiring Harness Assembly Vintage 1960's

Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$275

This listing is for an Original Vintage 1964 Gibson wiring harness. This harness came out of a 1964 Gibson ES-125 The harness comes as pictured and includes the potentiometer, Sprague Bumble Bee Capacitor and Jack. The pots are both dated to 1964. Interestingly the harness has 1 CTS potentiometer and Centralab pot. The date codes are 1346414 & 1376416 and are 250k The harness will also work for a Gibson SG Junior but the lengths of the wires may need to be slightly modified to fit The ... more
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Recent posts on vintage guitar and bass

1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass

1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass The Hagstrom Swede bass, or model HB 903, was only built in small numbers: just 1479 basses shipped between 1971 and 1976. Unlike the current range of Hagstrom guitars, the 1950s-1980s Hagstroms were built in Sweden. This example comes from 1973 and is pretty typical: translucent cherry finish, mahogany body, mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard. It's a really nice bass, beautifully appointed with a very wide tonal range, and a great playing feel. It is relatively heavy though for a mahogany instrument, mostly due to its thick solid body. Very cool bass, and certainly one of the very best basses produced by Hagstrom.

1973 Shaftesbury 3400

1973 Shaftesbury 3400 This example of the Shaftesbury 3400 was produced by Japanese manufacturer Matsumoku who made some great quality guitars in the 1970s and 1980s. This is a slightly later example, and has some features not seen on earlier 3400s. Although nice guitars, these are not in the same league as the Gibson Les Paul it was emulating (no set neck, no carved maple top); but they are far better than many of the entry-level Les Paul copies available in the mid-1970s - for example the Shaftesbury 3400 has gold plated hardware, a solid body bound front and back, Maxon brand humbuckers and nice inlaid neck and headstock.

1971 Epiphone 1802T

1971 Epiphone 1802T The Epiphone 1802T was the early name given to the Epiphone ET-270 and derived from an existing Aria guitar, also the 1802T. This was the first of the 1970s Epiphone solid bodies made in Japan by Matsumoku.The model evolved somewhat over its short production run: the very earliest examples were very similar to the Aria, sharing the same body shape, hardware, and clear-coated neck with Fender-style headstock with decal logo. By the time it was designated the Epiphone ET-270 it had been upgraded with the classic Epiphone-style headstock, with nice inlaid logo, and Epiphone 'E' motifs on the truss rod cover and scratchplate. This example from 1971 is somewhere in between with the Epiphone-style headstock, but with silk-screened logo, and no 'E's.

1971 Shaftesbury 3400

1971 Shaftesbury 3400Shaftesbury was a brand distributed by Rose-Morris in the UK - generally imported guitars from Italy or Japan. This guitar, model 3400 was produced by Matsumoku in Japan, and was one of the earliest Les Paul copy guitars, debuting in the UK in 1969, although the same guitar was also sold as the Univox U1982 'Rhythm and Blues' by Merson in the USA as early as 1968. It was also available in different territories under different marques, most obviously the Aria 5522 (Japan), Jedson Jet 4444 (UK, Dallas Arbiter), with no doubt many more examples worldwide.

1981 Gibson Victory MVX

1981 Gibson Victory MV-XThe Gibson Victory MV-X, or Victory 'Multi-Voice' 10, was so-named because of the 10 distinct switch settings: although on first glance this guitar is very much a 'super-strat', with its three-pickup 5-way switch wiring configuration, the original advertising, sounds like... all of 'em underlines that this isn't just a Stratocaster copy, having the sounds of both Gibson humbuckers and Fender single coils available with a flick of a switch. The model was short-lived, with the first instruments shipping from Kalamazoo in Summer of 1981, and the last (excluding any stragglers) leaving Nashville by early 1982. This one was stamped on August 3rd 1981 in Kalamazoo.

1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogue

1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogScan of 1970 Epiphone guitar catalogue produced by Rosetti for the UK market. Undated but most likely from mid-late 1970, this was the first UK catalogue to show the new range of Japanese (Matsumoku) Epiphone guitars. Interestingly, these pages show the Epiphone solid bodies with a single-sided Fender-style headstock layout - a feature quickly replaced with a typical two-sided Epiphone headstock almost immediately. Epiphone electric guitars: 9520, 9525; bass guitars: 9521, 9526; acoustic guitars: 6730, 6830, 6834

A World of Guitars by Rosetti - 1971

1971 A World of Guitars by Rosetti catalogueScan of 1971 Rosetti catalogue (UK) featuring guitars from from numerous manufacturers worldwide: guitars by Epiphone, Hagstrom, Levin, Hoyer, Egmond, Eros, Moridaira, Kiso-Suzuki, Schaller, and Tatra.

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 bass Rose-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 Zambesi This 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 Ace The 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 Escort The 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 Care Catalog 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 Folk The 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 guitar The 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