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OVATION | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Ovation advertisement (1977)

Deacon by Ovation. A new standard for 12-string solid bodies

Ovation Deacon 1253 (twelve string)

A lot of solid body 12-string guitars tend to sound muddy; too much mid-range makes it difficult to hear each individual string. An exact intonation is nearly impossible. Until Deacon.

Ovation advertisement (1977) Deacon by Ovation. A new standard for 12-string solid bodies

Ovation Deacon 1253 (twelve string)

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Ovation Patriot 1776-1976   SERIAL NUMBER  # 1776 ! LAST ONE MADE !

Ovation Patriot 1776-1976 SERIAL NUMBER # 1776 ! LAST ONE MADE !

Hollywood, Florida, 330**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4998

In 1976, Patriot Guitars made a limited edition of this 'Patriot' Guitar series to celebrate the bicentennial celebration of the United States .
They only made 1, 776 of these guitars .
THIS ONE IS NUMBER 1776 !... more
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Ovation 1512 Ultra 1984 - Natural

Ovation 1512 Ultra 1984 - Natural

Denver, Colorado, 802**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$340

This Ovation Ultra 1517 Round Back Acoustic Electric Guitar is a dream come true for any music enthusiast. With a beautiful brown body and a rosewood fretboard, this right-handed guitar is perfect for anyone looking to produce stunning acoustic sound. The 6-string configuration and 20 frets make it an ideal choice for both beginners and professionals. The guitar is made by Ovation, a trusted brand in the music industry. Its Dreadnought body type ensures a sturdy and comfortable grip. Whether ... more
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Ovation 1621-4 Acoustic Guitar W /  Case Parts Repair

Ovation 1621-4 Acoustic Guitar W / Case Parts Repair

Utica, New York, 135**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$325

The top is extremely uneven and roughly repaired. Don??t know if it??s fixable. Lots of good parts And a case. It doesn??t play great. Electronics work, I did have to solder a new battery strap and glue it to the bracket as the original one had corroded from an old 9v left in. Sold completely as is. Ships fully insured
... more
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1975-76 Ovation Preacher - Original Owner - Solid Mahogany - Sunburst

1975-76 Ovation Preacher - Original Owner - Solid Mahogany - Sunburst

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

$1350

Serial number E 15020 - Original Owner - Less than 100 hours of playing time, bought and kept as a collectible. No dings, scratches, blemishes or any other defects. No scratches on the pick guard. All knobs are buttery smooth and the toggle switch is like new
Anything that looks like a blemish in the photos is either dust or just a spot where the flash is reflecting. Its in perfect condition
1975-76 - Sunburst - 24 fret - all original hardware in perfect condition
Comes with original... more
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Vintage Shaller tuning gears with Ovation logo

Vintage Shaller tuning gears with Ovation logo

Santa Fe, New Mexico, 875**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$80

This listing is for ONE (1) matched set of a pair of Shaller acoustic guitar with the Ovation logo on them
These gears are matched sets with straight posts in good working condition
Width of plate: .605 " Post diameter: .236 " Post height: 1 15"... more
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1980s Ovation Elite SN 1537 Stereo Acoustic /  Electric Guitar Sunburst + OHSC

1980s Ovation Elite SN 1537 Stereo Acoustic / Electric Guitar Sunburst + OHSC

Thousand Oaks, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$995



1980s Ovation Elite SN 1537 Stereo Acoustic / Electric Guitar Sunburst + OHSC

Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1980s Ovation Elite SN 1537 Stereo Acoustic / Electric Guitar with a Sunburst Finish! Soon after Ovation introduced the Adamas composite-fiber topped guitar, the obvious question was - could the multi-soundhole design and bracing pattern be implemented on a wood topped guitar? Originally called the "Wood Topped Adamas " , it ... more
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Matrix By Ovation 1137, 1980-1981 w /  Hardcase

Matrix By Ovation 1137, 1980-1981 w / Hardcase

Sioux City, Iowa, 511**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$550

For sale today is a Custom Restored Ovation Matrix 1137 with Road Runner fitted hardshell case. This Matrix has a rosewood fretboard with the matrix aluminum reinforced foam neck, Schaller M6N tuners with Ovation logo plates. All the tuners have been disassembled, cleaned and freshly greased. The highly cracked finish it had was removed and was refinished in textured black and the trim over the binding was replaced also in black. Ebony nut and saddle. New rosette.... more
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Ovation Custom Balladeer circa 1970

Ovation Custom Balladeer circa 1970

Pikesville, Maryland, 212**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$450

Long loved Ovation Custom Balladeer circa 1970. This guitar is natural in color which is the-4 in the model number 1112-4. With one exception, this guitar is in excellent condition and has beautiful sound. In the pictures I am pointing to a split in the wood just above the bridge. The price is for the guitar and case and I will not split them up.
... more
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Ovation Acoustic Guitar Vintage

Ovation Acoustic Guitar Vintage

Massillon, Ohio, 446**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$449

Vintage Ovation model 1621-4 acoustic / electric. Electronics work with some static in volume control. Has a slight split below sound hole but otherwise is in good condition. Case is in fair to good condition Shipping price varies.
... more
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Rare VINTAGE 1980s Ovation Guitar Case Black

Rare VINTAGE 1980s Ovation Guitar Case Black

Los Angeles, California, 900**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$99

Rare VINTAGE 1980s Ovation Acoustic Guitar Case Black
Please see attached photos for details
... more
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Ovation 1618 Glen Campbell 12 String USA 1981 acoustic electric guitar with case

Ovation 1618 Glen Campbell 12 String USA 1981 acoustic electric guitar with case

Lake Oswego, Oregon, 970**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

Ovation 1618 Glen Campbell 12 String signature series acoustic electric guitar made in USA 1981 in excellent condition with hard case and case candy .

On consignment at our store , Beautiful vintage 1981 one owner ovation 1618 in excellent condition with tags , owners card etc. (case candy) and of course original hard case in very good condition too .These are becoming very hard to find in this well preserved condition
Barely any scratches you might find one if any , barely any ... more
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Ovation ADAMAS II 1681-9 Brown Acoustic Electric Guitar 1981 w /  Original Case

Ovation ADAMAS II 1681-9 Brown Acoustic Electric Guitar 1981 w / Original Case

South Pasadena, California, 910**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

Another Treasure of mine listing up!
Beautiful Adamas II Acoustic Electric in Brown Color. ( Stereo Out Version )
Beathtaking Beauty and Heartbeating Sound Insturument for 80's Music Lovers!
if you are in the age of 50s like me, you have a good memories of Ovation / Adamas Guitars
I owned a blue Adamas whe I was late 20s in 1998, and sold it after 10 years
I was missing for long time. and finally got this after 25years .
As you see, it's Beautiful and Gorgeous! Sounds Great ... more
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Vintage USA Ovation Model 1115-4 acoustic guitar with hardshell case

Vintage USA Ovation Model 1115-4 acoustic guitar with hardshell case

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 551**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$730

For your consideration is an Ovation 1115-4 acoustic guitar. Another beautiful piece from Ovation! Some signs of use, but it's still alive and kicking. Although it is a 12-string guitar, it is currently strung as a 6 string. Like many 12-string guitars, the action can become rather sky high, which might require expensive and invasive repairs. In this case, we have opted to keep it as a 6-string, and the action is great!
Headstock looks great, a few nicks and dings, but nothing unsightly. ... more
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Applause Acoustic Guitar by Ovation AA-14-4 1980s? (Aluminum Neck)

Applause Acoustic Guitar by Ovation AA-14-4 1980's? (Aluminum Neck)

Villa Park, Illinois, 601**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$205

You are viewing a Applause (AA14-A) Acoustic Guitar in a Natural Finish
All of the guitars we sell, even these affordable guitars have been inspected and setup to play as good as possible
This guitar does not come with a case / bag if you want one we would be happy to show you some options. If you decide to purchase a bag, there will be NO additional shipping cost on purchase!
Features Include:
Natural TopPlastic Bowl Back & SidesAluminum NeckVintage1980's?Professionally ... more
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Ovation Bass Guitar Magnum III (1979) Maghogany

Ovation Bass Guitar Magnum III (1979) Maghogany

Pasadena, California, 911**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1550

Solid mahogany body. These pick ups are just intense. Independently adjustable. This is one beast of a bass. In excellent condition. Natural age on the color do to its age. Sounds great.

All sales are final / no returns
... more
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1980s Ovation GS1-J Black Electric Guitar Great

1980s Ovation GS1-J Black Electric Guitar Great

Hicksville, New York, 118**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$600

1980s Ovation GS1-J Black Electric Guitar Great
Hey there! You are looking at a 1980s Ovation GS1-J Electric Guitar! This is one great sounding guitar having very rich high and low ends. In the 1980s Ovation had outsourced the parts from Korea and then the guitars were finally assembled in the USA.
Our guitar is in great shape being very clean and only a few scratches in that lacquer which do not affect playability. Recently we have gave the guitar new strings and cleaned the frets. We ... more
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Ovation Deacon 1252, Pro Serviced in Original Case, Solid Body Electric Guitar

Ovation Deacon 1252, Pro Serviced in Original Case, Solid Body Electric Guitar

Andover, Massachusetts, 018**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2200

Ovation Deacon 1252, Pro Serviced in Original Case, Solid Body Electric Guitar. This example has been well cared for. Since being serviced, it's been played at a handful of rehearsals and gigs, but the shorter scale length isn't for me, so mostly has just been sitting in its case. Hopefully it will go to someone who will make more use of a beautiful, high quality instrument
This legendary ax, produced from 1972 to 1980, was an attempt by Ovation, famous for their hollow body guitars, to ... more
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Ovation 1617 Legend 1979 Acoustic Guitar w /  OHSC 6 String Tobacco Sunburst USA

Ovation 1617 Legend 1979 Acoustic Guitar w / OHSC 6 String Tobacco Sunburst USA

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

$950

In good working condition!
Please ask questions!
... more
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Vintage Guitar Acoustic Ovation Case

Vintage Guitar Acoustic Ovation Case

Kaukauna, Wisconsin, 541**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$389

Overall good condition, some wear pictured, smaller guitar, see measurements



Thanks for looking, we will ONLY ship to your paypal address, no exceptions, price listed is lower 48 USA shipping only, we can ship worldwide, please ask if you have any questions, if you have any issues after receiving, please contact us before you leave neutral or bad feedback, thanks. All shipments professionally packaged, and usually shipped in 1-2 days.




more
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Vintage Ovation Magnum Bass I 1979 w /  Original Hard Case Sunburst Rare

Vintage Ovation Magnum Bass I 1979 w / Original Hard Case Sunburst Rare

Orlando, Florida, 328**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2199

These bass guitars are built like tanks. This is the heaviest bass I've owned, but that's why the tone sounds so thick - this is enhanced by the flat wound strings on it.
The Magnum 1 bass is a passive bass. This is unlike the active electronics in the Magnum 2 - which can get noisy.
There are a few nicks and scratches, but overall this bass is in great condition for its age. When I bought it back in the early 2000's the string dampener at the bridge had already been removed from ... more
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Find more Ovation Deacon 1253 (twelve string) 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