Vintage Guitars
I'm happy with this
This website uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse traffic. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. See terms and conditions
HARMONY | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Harmony advertisement (1965)

Harmony guitars

Harmony H19 Silhouette, Harmony H77, Harmony 1260 acoustic

Mid sixties Harmony advert, showing a solid-body (H19), an acoustic (1260), and an electric semi-acoustic (H75)

Harmony advertisement (1965) Harmony guitars

Other related vintage advertisements

Harmony H19 Silhouette - Harmony Amplifiers - Harmony Electric Guitars
Harmony H19 Silhouette - Harmony Amplifiers - Harmony Electric Guitars
Mid sixties Harmony advertisement for five amplifiers and two guitars; the solidbody H19 and thinline hollowbody H76.
Harmony H77 - The integrity of the Harmony guitar is known by the integrity of its maker
Harmony H77 - The integrity of the Harmony guitar is known by the integrity of its maker
Mid sixties Harmony adverts for two instruments. The semi-acoustic H-77 and the 1260 acoustic
Harmony H19 Silhouette - Here are Harmony
Harmony H19 Silhouette - Here are Harmony's Big 3
Mid sixties advertisement for three of Harmonys best selling instruments: the H19 solid body, H76 thinline hollow-body and the 1260 flat top acoustic. These three instruments appeared in numerous H...
Harmony H19 Silhouette - Now Hear This
Harmony H19 Silhouette - Now Hear This
The three instruments appearing in this mid-60s advert are the H19 solid body, H76 thinline hollow-body and the 1260 flat top acoustic. These were Harmony's big-3 instruments and were promoted widely.
Harmony 1260 - The Crafstmen Come From Here
Harmony 1260 - The Crafstmen Come From Here
In 1967, the American guitar market was under attack. Skilled luthiers at Gibson and Guild were safe, even those these companies had their problems to overcome, but at the lower end, where guitars ...
Harmony H77 - Harmonys Fine Electric Guitars
Harmony H77 - Harmonys Fine Electric Guitars
Harmony advertisement showing a number of hollow-body electric guitars. There are three newer models, all launched the previous year: the H-72, H79 twelve string and H27 bass, and three older model...
Harmony H19 Silhouette - Want To Take A Harmony Guitar Apart
Harmony H19 Silhouette - Want To Take A Harmony Guitar Apart
Mid sixties advert highlighting some of the features of a Harmony guitar: the slim necks, truss rod, hollow body construction and De Armond pickups. The fact that Harmony was an American company (f...
Harmony H77 - You plug it in, it turns you on
Harmony H77 - You plug it in, it turns you on
The title of this advertisement, of course, is a play on Dr. Timothy Leary's 'Turn On, Tune in, Drop out' suggestion, so current amongst the youth of late 1960s America; Harmony new their market. U...

Harmony H19 Silhouette, Harmony H77, Harmony 1260

Vintageguitarandbass.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.
Vintage Harmony H-666 "V2" Flying-V Clone, Solid Mahogany Body Electric Guitar

Vintage Harmony H-666 "V2" Flying-V Clone, Solid Mahogany Body Electric Guitar

Florence, Kentucky, 410**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$250

Good working condition guitar that needs a tone pot and control knob but does not impact playing or sound. You just can't adjust the tone
This vintage Harmony H-666 is a unique electric guitar, crafted with a solid mahogany body. The guitar's design was inspired by the iconic Gibson V2, and it features a 6-string configuration that is perfect for right-handed players. The guitar was manufactured in Korea back in 1981, making it a true vintage piece
The Harmony H-666 boasts a beautiful ... more
eBay logo
Vtg. Rare 1930s Supertone Parlor Guitar Serial 10410 Harmony  Sears And Roebuck

Vtg. Rare 1930's Supertone Parlor Guitar Serial 10410 Harmony Sears And Roebuck

Portland, Oregon, 972**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$200

This vintage Supertone parlor guitar from 1936 is a rare find for collectors and musicians alike. Its body type is a parlor size, giving it a unique sound and feel. The guitar has survived the test of time, and its exact year of production is noted as around 1936 but unknown of the actual year produced
The guitar is perfect for any vintage musical instrument collection or for playing live performances. Its rich, warm sound is perfect for acoustic guitar enthusiasts. This rare vintage find is ... more
eBay logo
Vintage Harmony Monterey   1960S A Style  Mandolin- Needs Repairs or for Parts

Vintage Harmony Monterey 1960'S A Style Mandolin- Needs Repairs or for Parts

Matthews, North Carolina, 281**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$45

Selling as is, need repairs as mentioned in first descriptions ,should be a easy fix for someone that know what he is doing, I don, t have the tools or the know how Some sellers are selling just the bridge for more than I am listing this one for Sure be a great Mandolin once repaired or just used it for parts.... more
eBay logo
Harmony 5 String Banjo With Case

Harmony 5 String Banjo With Case

Saint Louis, Missouri, 631**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$225

The banjo is missing the fifth string. All original parts, neck is straight and resonator is firmly in place. No loose screws. Solid black color with little to no scratches.
... more
eBay logo
1955 Harmony Stratotone H44 Gold

1955 Harmony Stratotone H44 Gold

Portland, Oregon, 972**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2400

1955 Harmony Stratotone H44 . 100% original. Very Rare Gold Top. More sought after than the Mercury or H45 and for good reason. One is currently advertised on CL for $3000! Plays great, new strings. This is the real deal! Ask Tom Waits. Well used, professional gig guitar for about 20 of its years. New case but comes with original case. First $1800 00 Post Cancer forces sale. This is a very good deal - expect to pay well over $2000 when you can find one. Serious offers only. take a listen to ... more
eBay logo
Silvertone (Harmony) 319 12049 Acoustic Guitar (circa 1968)

Silvertone (Harmony) 319 12049 Acoustic Guitar (circa 1968)

Grand Blanc, Michigan, 484**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$179

Silvertone (Harmony) 319 12049 Acoustic Guitar (circa 1968). Mint Condition! Original owner guitar from approx. 1968. With original case. Comes with Emenee Chord and Songbook, as well as a high school songbook (see pictures). Original braided strap, and picks from that era are also included. Original owner hardly played it, it sat in its case in a closet for most of its life. There are only two slight marks on the side of the guitar where it rubbed in the case, see pictures, hardly noticeable. ... more
eBay logo
Vintage Harmony Guitar Tube Type Amp H303A

Vintage Harmony Guitar Tube Type Amp H303A

Chariton, Iowa, 500**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$103

This vintage Harmony guitar amplifier is a treasure for any music lover. With its tube type design, it delivers a warm and authentic sound that is unmatched by modern amplifiers. The amp has been well-preserved over the years, with only minor signs of wear and tear that add to its character.
The brand name Harmony speaks for itself, as it has been synonymous with quality instruments for decades. This amplifier is perfect for collectors and musicians alike who appreciate the unique tone and ... more
eBay logo
Original 1920s Era Decorated Birds Eye Maple Wood Harmony Banjo Resonator

Original 1920s Era Decorated Bird's Eye Maple Wood Harmony Banjo Resonator

Spartanburg, South Carolina, 293**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$130

Beautiful floral design bird's eye maple resonator which measures 12 11 / 16" in outside diameter and 12" inside diameter. Colors in the greenery are beige, orange, green and brown. The neck cutout measures 2 1 / 16" across at its widest point and 15 / 16" in depth(note the contour of the opening) and has interior blocking. Conditionally, the finish is very well preserved with some minor scuff / scratch and edge wear, yet overall the presentation and mounting hole sleeve and binding are intact. ... more
eBay logo
1950s MANDOLIN -RARE VINTAGE HARMONY MONTEREY H417 w /  Case

1950's MANDOLIN -RARE VINTAGE HARMONY MONTEREY H417 w / Case

Kansas City, Missouri, 641**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$166

Up for auction is a Nice 1950's MANDOLIN -RARE VINTAGE HARMONY MONTEREY H417 w / Case. Nice overall condition. Action is decent. Missing pick guard. Some signs of use.
Item sold "as is " Email any questions. Thanks for looking! It is my wish that all buyers are happy with their purchases. If you are by chance unhappy, please let me know and I will try and make things right. In return, please leave positive feedback along with 5 star ratings on the "Detailed Sellers Rating" (DSR). ... more
eBay logo
Vintage 1955 Harmony Archtop Acoustic Guitar with Case Archtone 6 String

Vintage 1955 Harmony Archtop Acoustic Guitar with Case Archtone 6 String

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

$600

Vintage 1955 Harmony Archtop Acoustic Guitar with Case Archtone 6 String. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.... more
eBay logo
1955 Harmony Stratotone H44 Gold

1955 Harmony Stratotone H44 Gold

Portland, Oregon, 972**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

1955 Harmony Stratotone H44 . 100% original. Very Rare Gold Top. More sought after than the Mercury or H45 and for good reason. One is currently advertised on CL for $3000! Plays great, new strings. Well used, professional gig guitar for about 20 of its years. New case but comes with original case. best offer over $1500 00 Post Cancer forces sale. This is a very good deal - expect to pay over $2000 plus IF you can find one. Serious offers only
to hear what it sounds like check out this ... more
eBay logo
Harmony Made 1940s SONATA PROFESSIONAL Archtop Guitar w /  Case

Harmony Made 1940's SONATA PROFESSIONAL Archtop Guitar w / Case

Lake Winola, Pennsylvania, 186**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$350

Harmony Made 1940's SONATA PROFESSIONAL Archtop Guitar w / Case
Recently acquired from an estate is this rare c. 1940 Sonata Professional (Harmony made) archtop guitar in its original case. It measures approx. 15 1 / 2" x 40 1 / 2 " , and it does need some TLC, showing some wear consistent with its age and use, but it has no breaks or repairs. It is unstrung and comes with all parts pictured. Some parts may be missing or will need replacing This will restore ... more
eBay logo
Vintage Bigsby Vintage Tremolo Guitar Part Gibson Kay Harmony

Vintage Bigsby Vintage Tremolo Guitar Part Gibson Kay Harmony

Nicholasville, Kentucky, 403**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$40

Vintage Bigsby Style Tailpiece. Please feel free to ask any questions

Thanks
... more
eBay logo
Vintage 1960s Harmony Stella parlor acoustic guitar

Vintage 1960s Harmony Stella parlor acoustic guitar

Youngstown, Ohio, 445**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$175

Cool little 1965 Harmony Stella all birch parlor guitar. These are pretty common, but usually in not-so-good condition. This one is actually very clean, with just a little scuffing and scratching here and there. Nice strong finish. Relatively tight crack along bass side of fretboard extension, and another short crack at the soundhole. No issues here. Very slight rise along the fretboard extension, but not the dreaded ??ski jump??. A few notes on the wound strings are a little plinky out over the... more
eBay logo
VINTAGE 1950s / 60s Harmony Patrician Archtop Guitar

VINTAGE 1950s / 60s Harmony Patrician Archtop Guitar

Farmingdale, New Jersey, 077**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400

Vintage Harmony H1407 Patrician Archtop Guitar + Hardshell Case
It's either a 1950s or an early 1960s
Pickups and electronics work great
Really fun Guitar to play
I've had it for 17 years
-The cracks were professionally filled but never stained
-minor scratches
Besides those cosmetic flaws
This Guitar is fantastic
Plays extremely well
Beautiful action
Just a really really fun Guitar
Hardshell case included
... more
eBay logo
VTG Stella Harmony Acoustic Parlor Guitar Tobacco Sunburst Set Up Left Handed

VTG Stella Harmony Acoustic Parlor Guitar Tobacco Sunburst Set Up Left Handed

Blacklick, Ohio, 430**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$230

VTG Stella Harmony Acoustic Parlor Guitar Tobacco Sunburst Set Up Left Handed... more
eBay logo
Harmony H-17 Bobkat 1966 !THREE PICKUPS! Electric Guitar Excellent Vintage

Harmony H-17 Bobkat 1966 !THREE PICKUPS! Electric Guitar Excellent Vintage

Tulsa, Oklahoma, 741**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$699

Harmony H-17 Bobkat 1966 !THREE PICKUPS! Electric Guitar Excellent Vintage.
THREE of those wonderful Harmony pickups from 1966
The pickups, Golden Tone by DeArmond, have exceptional tone, sensitivity and volume. I added one more of the same pickup and rewired the existing 4 potentiometers. It is now set up for" Vn-Vm-Vb -T. There are no pickup selector switches - the volume controls allow balancing any combination. White plastic removable plug where the original 2 pickups selector switch... more
eBay logo
1960 Harmony Stratotone Mars H45 Electric Guitar Sunburst w /  DeArmond Pickup

1960 Harmony Stratotone Mars H45 Electric Guitar Sunburst w / DeArmond Pickup

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

$700

Up for sale, a 1960 Harmony Stratotone Mars model H45 in excellent condition and in perfect working order. A simple and straightforward vintage Stratotone model, this USA-made Mars H45 features a Volume and Tone control for the single original DeArmond-made "Hershey Bar" pickup. A fully hollow maple bodied instrument with a wooly bark and clear treble cut when strummed acoustically, these tonal properties translate through the pickup with great accuracy. The pickup has a rich, warm sound and a ... more
eBay logo
Harmony ?Roy Rogers? Cowboy Parlor Guitar 1950??s Sunburst with Artwork

Harmony ?Roy Rogers? Cowboy Parlor Guitar 1950??s Sunburst with Artwork

Sevierville, Tennessee, 378**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$450

2nd owner it was my father??s. Great condition no cracks at all like some do in the back
... more
eBay logo
Vintage Harmony H-162 Acoustic Guitar Neck  Project  Nice Neck 1960s  Needs Work

Vintage Harmony H-162 Acoustic Guitar Neck Project Nice Neck 1960s Needs Work

Eugene, Oregon, 974**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$45

Please see photos. Vintage Harmony H-162 Acoustic Guitar Neck Sold as Project. Nice Neck overall but needs work. To be more specific, end of fingerboard is broken off beyond the 14th fret. Dovetail is mostly still there (rough along edges and chipped at bottom). That said, this is a good looking neck with well preserved finish & attractive rosewood fingerboard. It is straight and the frets have very little wear. There's a bit of finish wear around the edges of headstock but quite minor. ... more
eBay logo

Find more Harmony H19 Silhouette, Harmony H77, Harmony 1260 at vintageguitarsforsale.co

There are 0 comments on this page so far. Add your comment

Comment on this article

Name
Email address
Anti-spam question - to catch web robots
How many legs does a duck have?

Contact
info@vintageguitarandbass.com

mailing list

Follow

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  YouTube

Other Great Sites

Recent posts on vintage guitar and bass

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

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 catalog Hagstrom 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 President The 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.

1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manual

1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manual The newly designed Les Paul Recording guitar was released in 1971, in many ways as an updated version of the Les Paul Professional that had debuted two years earlier in 1969. The new guitar came with a new owners manual explaining the (somewhat complicated) controls, their operation, and giving other specifications, including recommended strings, action and control settings. Compare with the broadly similar owners manual for the Les Paul Personal / Professional