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FENDER | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Fender advertisement (1979)

Fender Introduces Two Dynamite Guitars

Fender Lead I, Fender Lead II

Launch advertizing for the Lead 1 and lead 2 guitars, featuring Steve Morse of the Dixie Dregs

New Fenders blow out any other guitar on the market. The Lead I arms you with a more highly explosive humbucking sound than anything around. The Lead II brings that legendary Fender sound to a white heat. All this is the result of super hot-rodded pickups, totally new circuitry and switching capabilities that open up an unduplicated range of sounds. Full-scale Fenders. On each guitar, we've coupled a full-scale 25 1/2 inch neck to a heavier ash body for perfect feel and balance. Not that we set out to add weight to these guitars - but because increased mass and density are the logical coefficients of Lead I's and Lead II's functions.

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    Fender advertisement (1979) Fender Introduces Two Dynamite Guitars

    Fender Lead I, Fender Lead II

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    FOR REPAIR Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack Lead Tele PICKUP for Fender Telecaster!

    FOR REPAIR Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack Lead Tele PICKUP for Fender Telecaster!

    Exeter, New Hampshire, 038**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $55

    Seymour Duncan STK-T3b Vintage Stack Lead Tele PICKUP for Fender Telecaster
    Note: For Repair
    ... more
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    Fender Lead I Guitar- Early 1980s USA made-Red- All original 7lbs 3oz w / gig bag

    Fender Lead I Guitar- Early 1980's USA made-Red- All original 7lbs 3oz w / gig bag

    Huntington Station, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $699

    Here we have a pre owned Fender Lead I Electric Guitar. Made in Fullerton, CA, USA in the early 1980's. Wine Red Transparent finish. Solid body, double cutaway design. Single humbucking pickup with switches for Single coil / Both / Single coil and a series parallel switch. Master Volume and Tone. Hardtail string through body bridge. 25" scale length. Slim 1 6" nut width. Maple neck and fingerboard with a vintage 7 25" radius. Sleep guitar that have become more popular in the last ... more
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    1981 Fender Lead II USA Fullerton California Maple & Lightweight

    1981 Fender Lead II USA Fullerton California Maple & Lightweight

    Greer, South Carolina, 296**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $799

    NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING!!!LOWER 48 UNITED STATES ONLY SALES!!!
    Guitar is fully functional and has been modified to DiMarzio pickups as well as being routed for humbukers this guitar was originally a dual single coil pickup configuration the back of the neck has also been rough sanded although most of the original finish remains in tact on the neck the body is now refinished to the green When we got this guitar it had active EMG setup and we deactivated it with the DiMarzio setup also ... more
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    Fender 1980 Lead I Electric Guitar  W /  Original Fender Hard Case UNMOLESTED)

    Fender 1980 Lead I Electric Guitar W / Original Fender Hard Case UNMOLESTED)

    Evansville, Indiana, 477**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1000

    Fender Lead was Fender's compact and unique solidbody guitar introduced in 1979 (-1982) At the time, it was introduced as a "new alternative" to the Stratocaster and Telecaster, and gained popularity for its easy-to-handle size, unique circuit configuration, and original looks and sound
    It is now highly popular as a semi-vintage model
    This is a Lead I model with a single humbucker pickup, made in 1981 Despite its simple PU configuration and looks, it has a wide variety of sounds The coil... more
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    Fender Lead II Vintage Guitar Original Case (1979-1981)

    Fender Lead II Vintage Guitar Original Case (1979-1981)

    Flatwoods, Kentucky, 411**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1195

    Original Fender Lead II. Guitar is in great condition for its age. Doesn??t appear to have been played much. The frets are in great condition. Very few scratches or dings. Comes with the original case.... more
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    USA MINT 1981 Fender Lead III & orig case!

    USA MINT 1981 Fender Lead III & orig case!

    Ashburnham, Massachusetts, 014**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1199

    This (rare white) USA 1981 Fender lead III is in mint condition. This is not a Mexican reissue. Has some very small finish cracks starting in the paint (this is to be expected on a 44-year-old guitar ) The original case is also in excellent condition and hard to find. Has excellent Seymour Duncan pickups and comes with the original pickups and pickguard. You will never find another one of these guitars in this condition with original electronics and original case. Crafted in Fullerton, CA Plant.... more
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    1980 Fender Lead I Electric Guitar made in USA with hard case

    1980 Fender Lead I Electric Guitar made in USA with hard case

    New Milford, Connecticut, 067**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1200

    The 1980 Fender Lead I Electric Guitar is a classic American-made instrument with a sleek red body color and a hard case for protection. Known for its high-quality craftsmanship and iconic sound. The Fender Lead I model offers a versatile sound perfect for a wide range of music genres.... more
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    1981 Fender Lead III 3-Tone Sunburst All Original w /  Original Case

    1981 Fender Lead III 3-Tone Sunburst All Original w / Original Case

    Springfield, Tennessee, 371**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1275

    1981 Fender Lead III Guitar in Fender??s Classic Fullerton 3-Tone Sunburst Finish. The Fender Lead series of Guitars were one of the final innovations of the CBS-era Fender, built at the Iconic Fullerton Factory between 1980 and 1982

    This Lead III is in Very Good condition. It has a few minor bumps and scrapes, the worst of which is along the lower bout. The blemish is not through to the wood, and could probably be minimized with a few minutes on a buffing wheel. I have tried to ... more
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    Fender Lead II Electric Guitar 1980 Black w / Original Hard Case

    Fender Lead II Electric Guitar 1980 Black w / Original Hard Case

    Galesburg, Illinois, 614**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1499

    This 1980 Fender Lead II Electric Guitar is a classic instrument that captures the spirit of the late '70s and early '80s rock scene. Finished in sleek black, this guitar exudes a timeless appeal while its solid body construction ensures durability and resonance. The Lead II features a unique double-cutaway design that not only enhances playability but also provides easy access to the upper frets. Equipped with two single-coil pickups, this model delivers a bright and punchy tone, perfect for ... more
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    Fender Vintage Hardcase ? fits Fender Lead  ? great condition ? very rare ?

    Fender Vintage Hardcase ? fits Fender Lead ? great condition ? very rare ?

    Walzbachtal, 75***, GERMANY

    €249


    Fender hardcase (late 1970ies) for Fender Lead guitars only (!) in great used condition for sale. All locks and hinges are working. Inside the case, is nice and clean. Case has some light typical sings of wear, comes as shown on pictures. Only one available, we ship all over Europe.
    Bitte scrollen Sie weiter um Informationen über den Versand, Verpackungen, etc. zu verhalten
    Please scroll down in order to receive further information about packing, invoices etc.
    Gut zu wissen / ... more
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    1980 FENDER LEAD BODY - made in USA

    1980 FENDER LEAD BODY - made in USA

    COLOGNE, GERMANY

    €550

    1980 FENDER LEAD BODY - made in USA :
    * original black finish has the typical LAQUER FLACKING
    * NOT light
    ATTENTION! OVER 1000 more
    GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
    in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
    CHECK OUR SHOP OUT -------------->>>>>
    PLENTY of PARTS for SALE
    ... more
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    Fender Lead 2 Electric Guitar Made In USA 1980 - 1982 With Padded Gig Bag

    Fender Lead 2 Electric Guitar Made In USA 1980 - 1982 With Padded Gig Bag

    London, NW9***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £1150


    Fender Lead 2 Electric Guitar Made In USA 1980 - 1982 With Padded Gig Bag
    This guitar is second hand the guitar has many lacquer cracks around the body this is cosmetic and will not effect the sound of the guitar
    Please see all pictures as they are part of the listing description
    As you can see from the photos the machine heads have been changed and the screw holes do not match up
    Your guitar was made at the
    Fullerton Plant (Fender - CBS Era), USA
    in 1980 - ... more
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    Fender Lead iii - 1982  USA - All Original

    Fender Lead iii - 1982 USA - All Original

    Lowestoft, NR32***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £1231

    Hello,
    This cool, all original fender lead iii
    Up for sale or trades.
    Maple neck has got some cool wear on it.
    Body has a few marks and wear, but no major scratches or dings. But it??s an old guitar?? it??s supposed to have them!
    Pickups read 14 7k and 14k and sound great!
    Just been fret levelled and setup with fresh strings.
    Comes with a soft case.
    Based in Lowestoft, or can meet in Norwich.
    Happy to meet half way for a trade.... more
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    Fender LeadII 1980 Made In Usa

    Fender LeadII 1980 Made In Usa

    Lens, 62***, FRANCE

    €1750

    Fender LeadII 1980 Made In Usa et son fly case fender 100%d'origine en très bonne état La guitare à très peu jouer, fonctionne parfaitement
    ... more
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    Fender Lead I with Maple Fretboard 1979 - 1980 - Wine (restauriert)

    Fender Lead I with Maple Fretboard 1979 - 1980 - Wine (restauriert)

    Much, 53***, GERMANY

    €1860

    Fender Lead I:
    Baujahr wahrscheinlich 1979, siehe Mechaniken
    Fender verbaute ab 1980 geschlossene Mechaniken
    Komplett restauriert mit neuem Schlagbrett und gewarteten Mechaniken. Die Mechaniken gehen leicht und gleichmäßig
    Der Hals ist entlackt und rückseitig mit Öl behandelt, danach gewachst. Extrem angenehmes Spielgefühl
    Das Griffbrett ist halbmatt, die Kopfplatte glänzend lackiert
    Pickups:
    Hals: Wahrscheinlich Dimarzio. Etwas höhere... more
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    Fender Lead III de 1982 with Case

    Fender Lead III de 1982 with Case

    Epoisses, 21***, FRANCE

    €1950

    Fender Lead III de 1982 with Case.
    La lead III de 1982 est une guitare assez rare car produite uniquement en 1982 puis recement mais seulement en Asie Ce modèle avec son etui original est donc rare de plus elle est dans un trés bon état parfaitement jouable et même en etat collection Détails et Caractéristiques de la Fender Lead III (1982) :
    La série Lead de Fender a été produite de 1979 à 1982. La Lead III, introduite en 1982, se distingue par les points suivants :
    Micros : ... more
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    USA Fender Electric Guitar - Lead II 1980

    USA Fender Electric Guitar - Lead II 1980

    Beaumaris, Victoria, 3***, AUSTRALIA

    AU $2290

    USA Fender Electric Guitar - Lead II 1980
    This collectable 1980 USA Fender Lead II features dual-slanted single coil pickups, a modern "C" neck shape with medium jumbo frets, dual-toggle switches (one for pickup selection, one for phase-reverse), and of course that unique Lead double-cutaway shape. Crimson Red with some patina on the body through the years of playing
    I have owned this guitar for 28 years. Plays great and comes with the original Fender hard case.... more
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    Find more Fender Lead I, Fender Lead II at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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    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