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FENDER | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Fender advertisement (1953)

Bassmen! Play the original Fender Precision electric bass & Bassman amplifier

Fender Precision bass, Fender Bassman amplifier

Early fifties advertisement for Fenders first electric bass, the Precision, and its companion amplifier, the Bassman

The Precision had been launched in 1951, but was already replacing the upright acoustic bass for the reasons listed in the advert • Exceptional volume • Fretted neck • Extremely easy fingering • Less tiring to play than old style bass • Highly portable • Light weight • Tone and volume to suit playing needs

Fender advertisement (1953) Bassmen! Play the original Fender Precision electric bass & Bassman amplifier

Other related vintage advertisements

Fender Precision - Instruments get out of date too
Fender Precision - Instruments get out of date too
Early fifties advertisement underlining the modern features of the Fender Precision bass, and bassman amplifier
Fender Precision - Don
Fender Precision - Don't cheat yourself
Early Fender advertisement featuring three guitar/amp combinations: The Precision bass and Bassman amp; the Telecaster guitar and Twin amp, and the three-neck pedal steel and Pro amp.
Fender Precision - Fender fine electric instruments
Fender Precision - Fender fine electric instruments
Early Fender advertisement for four pedal steels, three amplifiers, and three electric guitars. At this point in Fender history, it is the pedal steels that top the page; electric guitars are still...
Fender Precision - The best things don
Fender Precision - The best things don't always need big packages
The electric bass was always designed as a replacement for upright acoustic basses. This late fifties advertisement demonstrates the Fender prcisions portability in relation to an acoustic bass
Fender Precision - From Arbiter the Most Wanted Guitar in Britain Today Telecaster by Fender
Fender Precision - From Arbiter the Most Wanted Guitar in Britain Today Telecaster by Fender
Mid 1960s UK advertisement for Fender guitars and amplifiers. In the early 1960s, Fender had been distributed in the UK by Jennings, but by the middle of the decade Arbiter had won the contract. Th...
Fender Bassman - Get Fenderized
Fender Bassman - Get Fenderized
Heavily promoted advert / Competition for Fender in 1967, giving the opportunity to win a 'bandfull' of instruments. The first prize was a Fender Jaguar and Jazzmaster guitar, Jazz bass, Bassman an...
Fender Precision - The lowdown on the bass
Fender Precision - The lowdown on the bass
The pickup is the real secret to the Precision Bass. At the conception of the electric bass, this pickup was designed to simulate the sound of a true bass. Not overbearing or extremely "bassey" but...
Fender Precision - The Worlds Favorite Road Machine
Fender Precision - The Worlds Favorite Road Machine
Part of a larger series of Fender full colour artwork/cartoon advertisements issued between 1973 and 1974, all with a "Worlds Favourite" theme. The Fender Precision was indeed (and probably still i...
Fender Precision - In Concert
Fender Precision - In Concert
The world's favorite performers appear "In Concert." And 9 out of 10 times the electric bass is a Fender. ABC-TV's "In Concert." Far more than entertainment, it's the ultimate experience in the con...
Fender Precision - Goldilocks and the three bears
Fender Precision - Goldilocks and the three bears
...someones playing my Precision bass right now, said baby bear, "and shes's really cookin'!"
Fender Precision - The Hearty-Roaring, Wide-Ranging Preecision Bass
Fender Precision - The Hearty-Roaring, Wide-Ranging Preecision Bass
Found in virtually all musical environments, the Precision Bass is by far the most prolific of the species Basso Electrica. The frequency of the sighting reflects upon the enormous range of the Pr...
Fender Precision - You Can Take A Fender Anywhere
Fender Precision - You Can Take A Fender Anywhere
Whatever band you play in, you've got to pick up on a lot of musical styles. But you'll never have to pick up more than one electric bass, Because Fender® gives you Rock Bass, Soul Bass, Country...

Fender Precision, Fender Bassman

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1975 Vintage Fender Precision Bass Lefty P-Bass Excellent All Original

1975 Vintage Fender Precision Bass Lefty P-Bass Excellent All Original

Stafford, Virginia, 225**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5088

Here??s a vintage Left Hand 1975 Fender P Bass in excellent condition. Light scratches on the pick guard are barely visible, pickups, pots are original and tested original spec. It has new strings and was just setup, includes original hard case with inspection tag and warranty card from 1975
This is for sale locally in Northern Virginia and so this item may disappear without notice
Photos tell the story, feel free to ask questions.... more
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1973 Fender Precision Bass Electric Bass Guitar 3-Tone Sunburst with Case!

1973 Fender Precision Bass Electric Bass Guitar 3-Tone Sunburst with Case!

Buffalo, New York, 142**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500


Here we have a 1973 Fender Precision Bass guitar with original case and in a beautiful Sunburst finish! We took this Bass in trade and this one is a players dream! All original but the original bridge has been replaced with an original Badass bridge, a popular upgrade among bass players seeking improved sustain and intonation. Whoever installed this bridge apparently recessed and glue it into the body (see pics) also we figured the pickguard isn??t original but was replaced with an ... more
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1967-1971 Vintage Fender Jazz Bass, Precision, Telecaster BASS Hardshell CASE

1967-1971 Vintage Fender Jazz Bass, Precision, Telecaster BASS Hardshell CASE

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

$297

For Sale: 1967??1971 Fender Bass Hardshell Case ?? Original ?? Red Interior ?? Fits P-Bass / Jazz Bass / Telecaster Bass
Vintage Fender protection ?? Clean red interior ?? Great for restorations or collectors
Up for sale is a 1967??1971 Fender original hardshell bass case, correct for Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, and Telecaster Bass models from this era. This is a genuine vintage Fender USA case, not a reissue, featuring the classic black exterior with red plush interior
The case ... more
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1970s Fender Silverface Bassman 10, 2-Channel, 4x10, 50w Amplifier

1970's Fender Silverface Bassman 10, 2-Channel, 4x10, 50w Amplifier

Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, 190**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

1970's Fender Bassman Ten. Sounds excellent, great classic silverface Fender clean sound and beautiful natural distortion when cranked. Tolex has some bruising on the back and sides, otherwise in great shape
... more
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1955 Fender Bassman 5E6 Tweed

1955 Fender Bassman 5E6 Tweed

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

$10999

A 1955 Fender Bassman 5E6 in original Tweed covering   
Serial number BM00352   A killer Narrow Panel Tweed Bassman that will rock all night long   All original except for replaced Caps and a 3-prong power cable conversion for safe operation   This is about as vintage as it gets folks from the 5E6 circuit to the well worn tweed covering   In overall good condition   Sounds heavenly     
Wattage:  Approximately 30 Watts 
Tubes:  2 X 6L6GB, 1 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AY7, 2 ... more
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Original Vintage 1962 Fender Bassman Dog Bone Amp Handle - As-Is -  Item QZ

Original Vintage 1962 Fender Bassman Dog Bone Amp Handle - As-Is - Item QZ

Midlothian, Illinois, 604**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$70

Original Vintage 1962 FenderBassman Dog Bone Amplifier Handle
Item QZ

This is an original amphandle off a early 1960s blonde fender Bassman Amplifier
The handle looks in niceshape, but I can see several cracks starting in it, toward the middle. You cansee the biggest one across the ??D?? in Fender on the top
I don??t think it wouldsurvive the day to day handling of lifting an amp head or bottom
Possibly the cracks could beglued, repaired or something, but I will leave that... more
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1983 Fender Elite I Precision Bass Active TBX Black w / Rosewood Board & HSC

1983 Fender Elite I Precision Bass Active TBX Black w / Rosewood Board & HSC

Berkeley, California, 947**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2100

The bass is in excellent condition with one unfortunate ding on the lower edge between the strap pin and the input jack. Some of the paint has chipped off there, but there is no other damage or dings or dents anywhere else on the guitar and the top is very clean
The Fender Elite Precision bass was made in 1983 and only lasted for a year or so, coinciding with the sale of Fender by CBS. The Elite series of guitars was Fender's top of the line with high-end modern features combined with ... more
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1966 Fender Precision Bass

1966 Fender Precision Bass

Encinitas, California, 920**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$12000



1966 Fender P-Bass in factory custom color Candy Apple Red !

Beautiful golden age P-bass that plays and sounds incredible

All original save for a repro pickup cover and the original owner had diamonds inlaid on the fingerboard but has since been replaced with factory dot inlays

This is a FANTASTIC Fender bass and you will not be disappointed

Thank you for looking!
... more
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1974 Fender Precision Bass #624832 - Used

1974 Fender Precision Bass #624832 - Used

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

$3095

Store About Policies Contact Store About Shipping Financing Support Contact... more
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Fender P Precision bass vintage MIJ active EMGs 1984-87 - blue flake

Fender P Precision bass vintage MIJ active EMGs 1984-87 - blue flake

Lynn, Massachusetts, 019**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$985

Gorgeous bass. Sounds killer. Straight neck, low action, truss turns, frets are excellent, electronics are clean. New 9V. New D'Addario 45s. Set up by the top guy in Boston. The active EMGs are aftermarket. Looks like there's a very small amount of routing in the control cavity to allow for the 9V. Pickguard and pickguard screws are aftermarket. Someone gave this the Steve Harris treatment. Original parts not included. There are a couple small dings, some imperfections in the pickguard, etc. ... more
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Vintage 1971 Fender BASSMAN TEN Tube Bass Amp Head 1970s

Vintage 1971 Fender BASSMAN TEN Tube Bass Amp Head 1970's

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

$500

... more
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2023 Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass  - Black Finish

2023 Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass - Black Finish

Malden, Massachusetts, 021**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1650

For sale is a 2023 Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass with black finish. Bass has an alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard as well as a nice nitrocellulose finish and is in excellent condition
Also included is a Fender hardshell case
Fender Vintage Series S / N: V2317741
The following accessories are included: Fender warranty card, care guide, bridge and tailpiece covers
Please ask any questions before purchasing
Additional photos supplied upon request ... more
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1974 Fender Precision Bass Left Handed Sunburst

1974 Fender Precision Bass Left Handed Sunburst

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

$3239

Up for sale is a wicked and rare 1974 Fender Precision Bass Left Handed model in its original Sunburst finish. This example came out of an estate and hadn't been played in decades prior to us acquiring it. The neck stamp is borderline illegible but looks to date to 1974, visible pot codes date to the 33rd week of 1974. There are no modifications to this bass other than the nut. Overall this one is in great shape less some finish wear, play wear and general signs of use. Given this one had been ... more
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1967 Fender Bassman Amp Black Face (AA165) 1x12 custom combo with Vintage 12?? EV

1967 Fender Bassman Amp Black Face (AA165) 1x12 custom combo with Vintage 12?? EV

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

$2000

1967 Fender Bassman Amp
In 1x12 custom combo cabinet
1x12 vintage EV SRO speaker
4 Mullard 12AX7 Preamp tubes
Matched pair of Sovtek 6L6 power tubes
Bass channel was voiced to JTM 45 specs
Normal Channel is standard Fender Clean
Some nicks and tears in the tolex
... more
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1959 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Amplifier Amp Vintage Tweed and Super Clean!

1959 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Amplifier Amp Vintage Tweed and Super Clean!

El Cajon, California, 920**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9500


1959-1960 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Amplifier

This vintage Bassman has the original tweed covering, grill cloth and all of the main components are original. Some capacitors have been changed. One of the speakers was bad and has been replaced, but the same style Jenson from the same year was used. The code on the tube chart has worn off but the Chassis Code is "BM02387" which dates it to 1959. Three speakers date to 1960 and one is from 1959. See photos for the rest of the stamps and ... more
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1971 Fender Precision Bass A Neck Sunburst w / OHSC

1971 Fender Precision Bass 'A' Neck Sunburst w / OHSC

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5995

1971 Fender Precision Bass In Sunburst Finish
Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Finish Shows Light Cosmetic Play Wear Including Some Various Dings, Marks, And Scratches Visible Throughout
Made In Fullerton, CA
Alder Body With Gloss Polyurethane Finish In 3-Tone Sunburst
Maple Neck With Rare Narrow 'A' Nut Width And Black Dot Inlays
Original Grey Bottom Pickups And Electronics
Original Multi-Ply Faux Red Tortoise ... more
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Fender American Vintage 1957 Precision Bass - 2-Tone Sunburst #V008403

Fender American Vintage 1957 Precision Bass - 2-Tone Sunburst #V008403

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

$3799

Here??s your chance to grab a true piece of Fender history??a fully original 1984 American Vintage Reissue ?57 Precision Bass, made in the legendary Fullerton factory. It comes with the original tweed hardshell case. This bass is a dream to play and loaded with a smooth playing slab maple neck, a gold anodized guard, cloth wired pickups from the Fullerton era and a rich nitro finish showing the beautiful vintage wear and patina. Tons of vibe, tons of tone??this bass has been played and loved, ... more
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Fender Bassman 2x12" Guitar Amp Speaker Cabinet 1964 - 1966 Vintage Rare

Fender Bassman 2x12" Guitar Amp Speaker Cabinet 1964 - 1966 Vintage Rare

Nashville, Tennessee, 372**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$750

Retro Gear Shop is a high-end boutique store located in Nashville, Tennessee
Fender Bassman 2x12" Guitar Amp Cabinet 1964 - 1966
For sale is a rare vintage Fender Bassman 2x12" Guitar Amp Cabinet 1964 - 1966. It has some cosmetic wear as expected for its age. Speakers are tested and working. Loaded with non-original Celestion G12S-50 Speakers. It does not include piggy-back mounting studs
*Check out the pictures to make sure you like it. Pictures are of actual item for sale ... more
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1981 Fender Bassman 135 Blackface Tube Amp Head Vintage Rare Works! F143314

1981 Fender Bassman 135 Blackface Tube Amp Head Vintage Rare Works! F143314

Honolulu, Hawaii, 968**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1575

1981 Fender Bassman 135
Tube Amplifier Head
Electric Guitar / Bass Amplifier Head
Made in USA
This is my cleanest and final Bassman 135. I also bought this Bassman head brand new from a music store in Honolulu in 1982. I used this amp playing bass in a band in Waikiki in the 80??s. The paper we photographed has great info but is not included in the purchase. We will include a very clean original Fender Bassman 100 cover.
Recently ( March 2025 ) I took it to my current amp tech... more
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Fender Precision Bass 1983

Fender Precision Bass 1983

Paris, Tennessee, 382**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

1983 Fender Precision Bass Made at Fender Fullerton FactoryAlder Body 1 piece Maple Neck
Original FinishOriginal Case
... more
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Find more Fender Precision, Fender Bassman 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

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1971 Epiphone 1802T

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1971 Shaftesbury 3400

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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

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1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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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