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GIBSON | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Gibson advertisement (1968)

Including beginners

Gibson Electric Guitars, Gibson Flattops

This advert is designed to demonstrate that Gibson guitars are not just for professional players, but beginners too - featuring, from left to right, a Barney Kessel, SG standard, C-series acoustc, LG-0, ES-335-12, RS-250 banjo, mandolin, Blue Ridge and J200

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    Gibson advertisement (1968) Including beginners

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    1952 Gibson ES-295 Electric Guitar 100% Original with Case

    1952 Gibson ES-295 Electric Guitar 100% Original with Case

    Birmingham, Alabama, 352**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $19995

    This is about as nice of a 100% original 1952 ES-295 as you can find. The gold finish on these doesn't age well. Making this one, well above average.
    The guitar has no breaks or cracks and needs nothing. The original frets have plenty of life left, the truss rod works as it should, and the guitar plays extremely well all the way up the neck. Even the original case is in great shape.
    There really isn't much else to say, this is just a great playing guitar in great condition. 0 ... more
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    Disney  ~  Gibson  ~  Les Paul  ~  Pee Wee  ~  Rave Rig Mickey Mouse Electric Guitar Set

    Disney ~ Gibson ~ Les Paul ~ Pee Wee ~ Rave Rig Mickey Mouse Electric Guitar Set

    Holly Ridge, North Carolina, 284**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2800


    DISNEY ~ GIBSON ~ LES PAUL ~ PEE WEERAVE RIG ~ MINI ELECTRIC GUITAR, CASE, AMP, CORD AND ORIGINAL BOX - WOW!
    THIS WAS A UNIQUE COLLABORATION BETWEEN DISNEY
    AND GIBSON GUITARS TO PRODUCE ONE OF THE MOSTCOLLECTIBLE GUITARS OF ALL TIME; BY 2 OF THE MOSTFAMOUS BRANDS OF ALL TIME: DISNEY AND GIBSON
    THE GUITAR HAS A SMALL PAINT CHIP FROM THEFACTORY AND IS OTHERWISE IN VERY GOOD ANDFUNCTIONING CONDITION. WE ARE THE ORIGINALOWNERS WHO BOUGHT & PRESERVED THIS RARECOLECTIBLE JUST ... more
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    1981 Gibson USA The Paul Electric Guitar Husk Repaired

    1981 Gibson USA The Paul Electric Guitar Husk Repaired

    State College, Pennsylvania, 168**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $750

    Up for sale is a 1981 Gibson USA The Paul empty husk. The headstock was cracked a while back. All breaks have been repaired. They are good solid repairs but the crack lines are still visible and can be felt. Lots of other cosmetic damage but it??s still a solid player. The entire guitar was finished with a glossy poly. It??s been strung up and played without issues. The frets are good. The truss rod works great. Neck is straight. I will ship well packaged in a proper box  Thanks for looking ... more
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    1964 Gibson Melody Maker 3 / 4 Scale Electric Guitar Sunburst w case

    1964 Gibson Melody Maker 3 / 4 Scale Electric Guitar Sunburst w case

    Doylestown, Pennsylvania, 189**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2400

    1964 Gibson Melody Maker 3 / 4 Scale Electric Guitar SunburstWeight: 4 LBS 14 OZall originalsuper feather weight and totally adorablethe second you put it in your hands you know its specialcomes with alligator cardboard case as shown (handle is worn out)frets and neck are excellentsuper cute guitartone knob is chippedlook at the pictures ya genius
    D-Town Guitars1109 N Easton rd Doylestown Pa 18902 mon-fri 12-8pm sat 11-3pm EST- closed on sundays
    ... more
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    1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar Gold All Original! w /  P-90s+OHSC

    1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar Gold All Original! w / P-90's+OHSC

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

    $36995



    1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar Gold All Original! w / P-90's+OHSC

    Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
    Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar with a Gold Finish! In 1952, Gibson changed the world forever with the release of the Les Paul model. The very next year, this guitar was made and became a part of the legend of these iconic instruments. This guitar has the tone and playability you would expect from a Vintage ... more
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    1950 Gibson ES-175 Sunburst Jazz Archtop Electric Guitar with Hardshell Case

    1950 Gibson ES-175 Sunburst Jazz Archtop Electric Guitar with Hardshell Case

    Harrisonville, Missouri, 647**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $6995

    1950 Gibson ES-175 Sunburst Jazz Archtop Electric Guitar with Hardshell Case






    Description
    1950 Gibson ES-175 Sunburst Jazz Archtop Electric Guitar with Hardshell Case
    This great 2 owner guitar guitar came in my store today and I just had to have it. This beauty was purchased new in Ojai, Califonia by a Mr. James Hollis, who was a country musician and ealry member of the California Old Time Fiddlers Asscoaition, District 8. Jim moved to Ventura, Ca. after ... more
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    ~ 1952 Harmony H 50 Archtop Electric Hollowbody w /  Gibson P-13 Pickup Sunburst

    ~ 1952 Harmony H 50 Archtop Electric Hollowbody w / Gibson P-13 Pickup Sunburst

    New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1695

    A stunning vintage circa 1952 Silvertone Model H50 arch top electric hollowbody in original Sunburst finish
    This is an early example with deluxe headstock artwork and original Gibson made P-13 pickup
    Pickup sounds just incredible. Super warm and fat and thick, great for Jazz and killer for Rock
    Neck is straight and the guitar plays well all the way up and down with a good action
    Comes with nice vintage original hard case, too!
    A stunning vintage circa 1952 Silvertone Model ... more
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    1983 Gibson Chet Atkins CE Natural Classical Electric Guitar w /  OHSC

    1983 Gibson Chet Atkins CE Natural Classical Electric Guitar w / OHSC

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

    $2500

    1983 Gibson Chet Atkins CE Natural Classical Electric Guitar w / OHSC
    Hey now! You're looking at an awesome guitar This is a 1983 Gibson Chet Atkins CE Classical Electric Guitar It weighs 8 lbs, 25 50 scale, 1 82" nut width Together, the legendary guitarist Chet Atkins and Kentucky luthier Hascal Haile w merged a solid body electric guitar with a classical guitar, resulting in a nylon-string instrument that can be played at high volumes without feedback!Thanks to the solid spruce top and ... more
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    1948 Gibson ES-300 Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst w /  Geib Tweed Case

    1948 Gibson ES-300 Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst w / Geib Tweed Case

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

    $6800

    Up for sale, a 1948 Gibson ES-300 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original Geib tweed hardshell case. Introduced in 1940 as Gibson??s premiere electric guitar model, the ES-300 was redesigned in 1946 with a P-90 pickup, only available with this feature set from 1946-48
    The maple body measures a full 17?? across the lower bout, with prominent bubble figuring across the Sunburst-finished back, boasting numerous period features including open-geared Kluson... more
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    Gibson J45 Left Handed  Standard Acoustic Electric Vintage Sunburst with Case

    Gibson J45 Left Handed Standard Acoustic Electric Vintage Sunburst with Case

    Groveport, Ohio, 431**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2299

    Experience the iconic sound of Gibson J45 Standard Acoustic Electric Guitar in a stunning Vintage Sunburst color. This left-handed guitar boasts a solid rosewood fretboard and a high-quality build that is made in the United States. The Gibson J45 Standard has become a favorite among musicians and collectors alike and is perfect for those looking to add a classic touch to their collection. This guitar is also acoustic-electric, making it versatile for both live performances and recording. ... more
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    Haunted Gibson USA ? 76 L6-S Electric Guitar with Original Case

    Haunted Gibson USA ? '76 L6-S Electric Guitar with Original Case

    Toms River, New Jersey, 087**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2400

    Haunted Gibson '76 L6-S Electric Guitar with Original Case.
    I am the 2nd owner of this guitar and it's beautiful. The first time I played it was strange .I own a bunch of guitars and have never experienced anything like it. It becomes part of your soul and the things you hear inbetween notes are like the guitar telling you what to play. It does this every time its played. It's a sad, beautiful soul. I feel like weird shit keeps happening so I've gotta cut ties here.
    There's a small ... more
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    Vintage! 1974 Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Walnut + Case

    Vintage! 1974 Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Walnut + Case

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

    $4995



    Vintage! 1974 Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Walnut + Case

    Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
    Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1974 Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar with a Walnut Finish! Like the Les Paul, the ES-335 stands as one of Gibson's all-time most iconic models. The ES-335 is a semi-hollowbody guitar which means that it has a solid block of wood running through its center with hollow wings on either side. This construction style maintains ... more
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    Gibson SG II 1972 Electric Guitar Walnut With Humbucker Pickups And Case

    Gibson SG II 1972 Electric Guitar Walnut With Humbucker Pickups And Case

    Huntington Beach, California, 926**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $2000

    Gibson SG II 1972 Electric Guitar Walnut With Humbucker Pickups And Case
    Shows normal wear. See pictures and description for more details.... more
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    mandolin Gibson 1965 electric by factory EM150 all orginal

    mandolin Gibson 1965 electric by factory EM150 all orginal

    Topeka, Kansas, 666**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $3000

    gibson mandolin 1965 electric by factory EM150 all orginal. Completely reconditioned by Shawn Ward been doing repair and luthier for over 30 years comes with one year guarantee new strings and orginal chip board case. Made in Kalamazoo Michigan in 1965. One little finish blemish on back side where neck and body meet at the heel. This is the nicest 58 year old mandolin I have seen been in music business since 1967
    ... more
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    Vintage Epiphone By Gibson Black 4 String Bass Electric Guitar Korea + Case

    Vintage Epiphone By Gibson Black 4 String Bass Electric Guitar Korea + Case

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

    $399

    Nice vintage bass in great condition sounds great as well. Comes with a very nice padded tour tek case. View pictures for more details. Thanks
    ... more
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    Vintage! 1978 Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe Electric Guitar Gold + OHSC

    Vintage! 1978 Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe Electric Guitar Gold + OHSC

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

    $3695



    Vintage! 1978 Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe Electric Guitar Gold + OHSC

    Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
    Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1978 Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe Electric Guitar with a Gold Finish! This guitar has the tone and playability you would expect from a Les Paul. Plugged in, this axe has some really nice meaty growls and great overtones! Really shimmery highs that don??t get harsh. It plays great, has a comfy neck and a quick action. This guitar is in ... more
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    2023 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 1963 Firebird V Electric Guitar w /  Hard Case

    2023 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 1963 Firebird V Electric Guitar w / Hard Case

    Forked River, New Jersey, 087**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1480

    Up for Sale Today:
    2023 Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Electric Guitar
    Ember Red
    Right-handed
    Guitar is in mint cosmetic condition.
    Neck is straight with low action. No bowing
    Tested and working properly
    OEM hard case w / key is included
    Please see pictures for more detail and feel free to ask any questions as we'd be happy to help
    Comes exactly as pictured
    Free Shipping within the contiguous USA
    This item is for sale through eBay ONLY!
    Please don't ask us to ... more
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    Vintage! 1978 Gibson ES-175D Natural Archtop Hollowbody Electric Guitar + Case

    Vintage! 1978 Gibson ES-175D Natural Archtop Hollowbody Electric Guitar + Case

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

    $4395



    Vintage! 1978 Gibson ES-175D Natural Archtop Hollowbody Electric Guitar + Case

    Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
    Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1978 Gibson ES-175D Natural Archtop Hollowbody Electric Guitar! Ever since it hit the scene in 1949, the ES-175 has remained the world's favorite "jazz box??. The Gibson ES-175 has long been the choice of many players, but its mostly considered to be a Jazz Box. While Jazz certainly sounds fantastic on a guitar like this, ... more
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    Vintage! 1966 Gibson ES-125 TC Hollowbody Electric Guitar Faded Sunburst + Case

    Vintage! 1966 Gibson ES-125 TC Hollowbody Electric Guitar Faded Sunburst + Case

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

    $2995



    Vintage! 1966 Gibson ES-125 TC Hollowbody Electric Guitar Faded Sunburst + Case

    Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
    Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1966 Gibson ES-125 TC Hollowbody Electric Guitar with a Faded Sunburst Finish! The ES-125 TC was launched in 1960 as "a new Florentine cutaway style guitar" at a price of $189 50. The Florentine cutaway "enables the guitarist to play the higher frets with greater ease and speed " . It was produced alongside it's Epiphone ... more
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    Vintage! 1956 Gibson L-48 Acoustic /  Electric Archtop  Guitar Tobacco Burst +OHSC

    Vintage! 1956 Gibson L-48 Acoustic / Electric Archtop Guitar Tobacco Burst +OHSC

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

    $1895



    Vintage! 1956 Gibson L-48 Acoustic / Electric Archtop Guitar Tobacco Burst +OHSC

    Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
    Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1956 Gibson L-48 Acoustic / Electric Archtop Hollowbody Guitar with a Tobacco Burst Finish! The Gibson L-48 was the company's most affordable post-war archtop, produced from 1946 into the late 1960's. The guitar features a double-bound body with mahogany top and sides, and maple back. Dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard, ... more
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    Find more Gibson Electric, Gibson Flattops at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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    1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

    1971 Selmer guitar catalogueScan of 1971 Selmer guitar catalogue showing the range of electric and acoustic guitars distributed by the company: guitars by Gibson, Yamaha, Selmer, Hofner and Suzuki. 1960s Selmer had always placed Hofner at the front end of their catalogues, no doubt these were the better sellers - but into the 1970s Hofner were slipping somewhat and only appear at the tail end of this publication, pride of place going to Gibson, and to a lesser extent Yamaha. In fact this is the last Selmer catalogue to include the many Hofner hollow bodies (Committee, President, Senator etc) that had defined the companies output for so many years - to be replaced in the 1972 catalogue by generic solid body 'copies' of Gibson and Fender models. A number of new Gibson models are included for the first time: the SG-100 and SG-200 six string guitars and the SB-300 and SB-400 basses.

    1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

    1968 Selmer guitar catalogueScan of 1968/1969 Selmer guitar catalogue (printed July 1968), showing the entire range of electric and acoustic guitars distributed by the company: guitars by Hofner, Gibson, Selmer and Giannini. Selmer were the exclusive United Kingdom distributors of Hofner and Gibson at the time, and this catalogue contains a total of 18 electric guitars, 7 bass guitars, 37 acoustics, and 2 Hawaiian guitars - all produced outside the UK and imported by Selmer, with UK prices included in guineas. This catalogue saw the (re-)introduction of the late sixties Gibson Les Paul Custom and Les Paul Standard (see page 69) and the short-lived Hofner Club 70. Other electric models include: HOFNER ELECTRICS: Committee, Verithin 66, Ambassador, President, Senator, Galaxie, HOFNER BASSES: Violin bass, Verithin bass, Senator bass, Professional bass GIBSON ELECTRICS: Barney Kessel, ES-330TD, ES-335TD, ES-345TD, ES-175D, ES-125CD, SG Standard, SG Junior, SG Special GIBSON BASSES: EB-0, EB-2, EB-3 - plus a LOT of acoustics branded Gibson, Hofner, Selmer and Giannini

    1961 Hofner Colorama I

    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 bassRose-Morris were selling Shaftesbury-branded Rickenbacker copy instruments from the late 1960s right through the 1970s. The 3263 bass was one of the first models, (alongside the 3261 six string and 3262 twelve string) available from late 1968 until about 1974. The earliest incarnation was a set neck bass, produced very briefly in Japan. But production quickly moved to Italy. This bolt-on neck example was built by Eko, in Recanati, using the same hardware and pickups as fitted to Eko, and Vox basses built around the same time. It's certainly a fine looking bass, and not a bad player either.

    1961 Hohner Zambesi

    1961 Hohner ZambesiThis very early, and pretty rare British-built guitar is branded Hohner London. Hohner were, of course, a German company, better known for their harmonicas and accordions, but they were keenly expanding into guitars at the birth of the 1960s. This model, along with the Hohner Amazon and (particularly) the Hohner Holborn, bear some similarity with Vox guitars of the same period; furniture manufacturer Stuart Darkins constructed bodies and necks for both brands, with Fenton Weill assembling them using their hardware and pickups. These guitars do have some hardware peculiarities, and they are not the most adjustable of instruments, but they actually play very nicely, being solidly built out of some very nice woods. Check out the video on this page.

    1963 Vox Super Ace

    1963 Vox Super AceThe Vox Super Ace was a mid-priced British solid body electric guitar, produced by JMI at their factory in Dartford, Kent. It was broadly modelled on the Fender Stratocaster, and a sibling model to the dual-pickup Vox Ace. Both the Ace, and Super Ace (along with several other models), were redesigned in 1963 with a new body shape, headstock style, and pickup layout - only increasing the resemblance to the aforementioned Fender. The Super Ace had a 1963 price tag of £47 5S. It's a pretty nice playing guitar with some lovely sounds - check out the videos on this page, and in the Vintage Guitar and Bass supporting members area

    1966 Vox New Escort

    1966 Vox New EscortThe Vox New Escort was Vox's version of the Fender Telecaster, at a time when American guitars were out of reach for most British musicians. It was made by JMI in England, for the British market, and unlike the majority of other models, didn't have an Italian-made equivalent. But the New Escort wasn't a slavish Fender copy, adding Vox's stylish teardrop headstock to the tele-style body, with a stop tailpiece and two Vox V2 single coil pickups. And it's a pretty substantial, and nice playing guitar, with a very comfortable neck. Check out the images, specifications, and watch a video of it in action. There is also extra content in the vintageguitarandbass supporting members area.

    1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

    1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin CareCatalog 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 FolkThe 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 guitarThe Symphonic bass was built in the UK, by Vox parent company JMI. It was the Vox equivalent to the Fender Precision bass, and was one of the most expensive Vox guitars produced. It was actually a great playing bass, rather similar to the Precision in feel and sound, but was probably just too expensive compared to an actual Fender and consequently sold poorly. When Vox hit financial problems in 1968, unsold guitars and basses were passed on to Dallas Arbiter, who briefly sold the excess Symphonic bass stock as model 4537. This bass, although with a neck date of February 1966, was most likely one of the unsold Vox guitars sold on by Dallas Arbiter. Check out the bass, and the two video demos through 1960s Ampeg and WEM amplifiers.

    1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

    1968 Shaftesbury catalogThe 1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog was just four pages long, and contained four guitar models: the six string Barney Kessel-style 3264; and three Rickenbacker-styled semi-acoustic models: the six-string 3261, the twelve string 3262 and the 3263 bass. Shaftesbury was the house-brand of major UK distributor Rose-Morris, and seems to have been launched as a response to the company's loss of it's distribution deal with Rickenbacker. The guitars were mid-priced, and built in (initially) Japan, and later Italy, by Eko

    1970 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns Celebrated Classics' catalog

    1970 Rose_Morris catalog1970 Rose-Morris catalog, dated April 1970. It featured 6 electric guitars, 32 acoustic guitars, 3 basses and 1 steel guitar. It contains the following instruments, over 20 pages: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3262, 3264, 3265, 3400; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Colorado, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12; Aria 1674, 1675, 1676, 1679, 1680, 1695, 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk; Rose-Morris 15-11, Kansas, Georgian, Florida; Suzuki 1663, 1664, 1665, 3054, 3055, 3060; Tatay 1713, 1714, 1715; Peerless 3052; Steel guitar: Aria 3425

    1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

    1971 Rose_Morris catalogThe sixteen-page 1971 Rose-Morris catalog featured electric guitars by Rose-Morris' own brand, Shaftesbury, and budget brand Top Twenty; aswell as acoustics by Eko, Aria, and for the first time Ovation. The catalog contains the following instruments: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3264, 3265, 3400, 3402; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Ovation: Balladeer, 12 String, Glen Campbell, Glen Campbell 12 string; Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12, Colorado, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Studio 'L'; Rose-Morris Florida; Aria 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk

    1972 Fender Precision bass

    1972 Fender PrecisionA detailed look at an early 1970s Fender Precision bass guitar in custom black finish, with rosewood fretboard. 1972 list price, $307.50. The Fender Precision had been shipping since at least very early 1952 - with just one re-design circa 1957. This example, then, shows a model already two decades old, but barely changed since the '57 revamp. Fender got it right first time around, and although there are numerous minor cosmetic differences, the essence of this bass is effectively the same as it was in '52: a simple, single pickup instrument with a GREAT sound. Check out the demo video through an old Ampeg B15. It's no wonder this is the bass that everybody wants!

    1967 Vox Stroller

    1967 Vox StrollerThe Vox Stroller was the brand's entry level electric solid body guitar, fitted with just one pickup and a fixed tailpiece. Although aimed at student guitarists, it wasn't a terrible instrument, but did lack somewhat in adjustability, having no accessible truss rod and only a floating rosewood bridge. But this example is actually quite an improvement on earlier versions, with a standard 1/4" jack and a solid mahogany body. 1967 price £18 2s. JMI ceased UK guitar production in late '67, and combined with decreasing demand for the Stroller, this surely must be one of the last examples shipped.

    1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

    1963 Vox Clubman Bass left handedA nice example of the Vox Clubman II bass, built by JMI in Dartford, Kent in 1963. This is a lightweight bass, short (30") scale and very easy to play. It is an early example, and as such has a thin black scratchplate and side mounted, coaxial output jack. JMI offered left handed examples of their solid body Vox guitars and basses at 10% premium. Production numbers are unclear, but left-handed examples rarely come up for sale

    1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

    1977 Gibson ES Artist prototypeNot to be confused with the Gibson ES Artist launched by Gibson in 1979; this ES Artist was an early model designed by the Gibson research and development team in Kalamazoo in 1977, the instruments themselves constructed by Gibson artist Chuck Burge. It was planned for launch as a high end semi acoustic with 335-style construction (central maple block) and innovative circuitry - but was pulled at the last minute, being deemed too expensive. Apparently, several examples were produced with varying specifications, though exactly how many actually left the Kalamazoo plant is unclear. Certainly two guitars were sold to LaVonne Music by Gibson in around 1980. Read more about the development of this guitar, with details from Chuck Burge and the story of it's sale to LaVonne music

    1959 Hofner Committee

    1959 Hofner CommitteeThe Hofner Committee was a truly beautiful guitar produced in Germany, primarily for the UK market. It was a large bodied (initially 17 1/2") guitar with a carved spruce top, available as an acoustic or electric guitar. By the early sixties the carved top was replaced with a laminate, and although still a very fine guitar, the earlier carved top examples, with frondose headstock (like the example shown here) are far more highly prized amongst musicians and vintage guitar collectors.

    1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean

    1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins TennesseanThe Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean, or model 6119 was Gretsch's best selling hollow body of the 1960s. This wonderfully faded example from 1965 was originally Dark Cherry Red, but has turned a mid-orange brown. The original color, however, can be seen underneath the pickup surrounds. 1965 specs: maple body, two-piece neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard and Hi-Lo 'Tron single coil pickups. Nickel plated Gretsch Bigsby tailpiece.

    1965 Gretsch 'For the Spectacular Sound of the Times' guitar and amp catalog

    1965 Gretsch catalogThe 1965 Gretsch catalog, or catalog #32, featured 10 hollow body electric guitars, including the newly launched Gretsch Viking; four solid body electrics, including the Astro Jet - making it's only catalog appearance; just one bass, the single pickup PX6070; nine acoustics and 12 tube amplifiers. Pride of place went to the Chet Atkins Country Gentleman that adorned both the front and back covers. 24 pages, six of which are in full color.

    Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends

    Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret endsLoose frets are especially problematic in certain old guitars, but are generally very easy to fix. You'll be amazed at the difference you can make with just a few tools, a bit of knowledge, and a little time. Fixing loose frets can eliminate fret buzz, remove sharp fret ends, and greatly improve the tone of any guitar. If your luthier bill will be greater than the value of your guitar, definitely time to have a go yourself!

    1966 Hagstrom 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog (Merson USA)

    1966 Hagstrom guitar catalogHagstrom guitars were distributed in the mid-1960s United States by Merson of USA. This eight page 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog, printed in two-colors contained six solid body electrics, three solid body basses, two electric acoustic guitars, two electric acoustic basses and five acoustics.

    1965 Hofner President

    1965 Hofner PresidentThe President was produced by Hofner in Bubenreuth, Germany, specifically for Selmer, who distributed the brand in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other commonwealth nations. The President was a hollow body electric acoustic, available as a full body or thinline, and with blonde or brunette finish. It was a great playing guitar that sold fairly well in the second half of the 1950s, throughout the 1960s, and into the very early 1970s. The example shown here is a full-body depth guitar in blonde - and as a 1965 guitar, one of the last to feature the rounded Venetian cutaway. From late 1965 until 1972, the President sported a sharp Florentine cut. Naturally, such an electric acoustic suggests jazz and blues, but many of the original British Hofner President players were part of the rock 'n roll, skiffle and beat scenes of the late 50s and early 60s.

    1963 1964 Fender catalog

    Fender 1963 catalogue"The Choice of Professional and Student Musicians Everywhere" This eight page catalogue was included as an insert in the 1963 annual "school music" issue of Downbeat magazine (September 1963). As well as keyboards and pedal steels, this catalog contains seven guitars, three basses and ten amplifiers - from student guitars such as the Musicmaster and Duotone to professional models like the new Jaguar.