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

WEM advertisement (1967)

Find Out About WEM

WEM amplifiers

Illustration for UK amplifier maker WEM (Watkins Electric Music). Although titled 'Find Out About WEM', Watkins were not a new operation, however they were certainly expanding into PA gear, rather than solely instrument amplifiers. In the February 1968 issue of Beat Instrumental (that also featured this ad), Watkins announced a series of WEM sit-ins at London's Marquee club, "they give groups the chance to hear the complete range of WEM equipment, as it would sound on stage".

This advert was used on several occasions from late 1967 and into 1968. In the same issues that this was posted, Marshall were using somewhat similar illustrated adverts, such as the Sound of Success and Top Singers, Top Groups, Top Sounds.

More

    WEM advertisement (1967) Find Out About WEM

    Other related vintage advertisements

    WEM amplifiers - Now the Move Move on-to WEM
    WEM amplifiers - Now the Move Move on-to WEM
    "Yet another top group changes". Early 1968 advert for WEM PA equipment, and the bands utilizing it: The Move, The Pink Floyd, 10 Years After, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Keith West and Tomorrow.

    WEM

    Vintageguitarandbass.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.
    Vintage 1966 Wilson and Sons Classical Guitar Model JT-2 Made in Japan

    Vintage 1966 Wilson and Son's Classical Guitar Model JT-2 Made in Japan

    Monrovia, California, 910**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $250

    Comes with case you see in pictures which is very worn. Local pick up is welcome to save on shipping.... more
    eBay logo
    1968 Wilson and Sons Classical guitar in hardshell case - Made in Japan -Project

    1968 Wilson and Sons Classical guitar in hardshell case - Made in Japan -Project

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

    $199

    Wilson and Sons Classical guitar in hardshell case - Made in Japan - Project
    This item is a very neat old classical guitar that was made in Japan by Wilson and Sons way back in 1968. This is a model JT-1 and it carries the serial number 2-13. Wilson and Sons was from City of Industry California.
    The guitar is in very good condition except for the bridge, which is lifting pretty badly and will need to be repaired or replaced. Because of that we are selling it as-is and shown.
    We think... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage Wilson and Sons Acoustic Guitar w / case from 1968 Japan Amazing Find.

    Vintage Wilson and Sons Acoustic Guitar w / case from 1968 Japan Amazing Find.

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

    $200

    Vintage Wilson and Sons Acoustic Guitar w / case from 1968 Japan Amazing Find It has new strings and a beautiful sound .... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage 1970s Wem Watkins Copicat Tape Echo Delay

    Vintage 1970's Wem Watkins Copicat Tape Echo Delay

    Columbus, Ohio, 432**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $600

    Original tape delay from when that works. Back screw mount to hold the cords is missing. It??s old but still works. Thanks
    ... more
    eBay logo
    RARE! Vintage WEM Watkins Copicat MK2 Tube Tape Echo Delay For *Parts or Repair*

    RARE! Vintage WEM Watkins Copicat MK2 Tube Tape Echo Delay For *Parts or Repair*

    Santa Rosa, California, 954**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1150

    For sale is a Vintage Watkins Copicat MKIl tube tape delay echo effects unit made for Guild guitars

    Condition: NONFUNCTIONING

    The tape echo unit is old and requires some repair or great for parts. There is a split or crack along one side of the casing see picture eleven. The unit powers on and the motor does need a little push to get the tape to spin. The main issue with the echo unit is that the delay tape heads 1 and 2 don't seem to repeat, tape head 3 does repeat. ... more
    eBay logo
    WEM Watkins Copicat

    WEM Watkins Copicat

    Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $425

    found this beauty recently at a garage sale. it looks to be in pretty good condition. it does power on + the motor seems to work. however, I have no way of testing it without a tape which is why I'm selling it for parts. I do hear noise though. when I touch the heads through an amp. I assume it will need some work but it's rare to find these on the other side of the pond. I will The US power adapter. shipping to the US only.... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage Watkins Westminster Tremolo Valve Amplifier

    Vintage Watkins Westminster Tremolo Valve Amplifier

    Farnborough, GU14***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £750

    Rare Watkins amplifier in good working order. Has evidently had some work done previously, unsure when or if serviced. Used. Some marks, fair condition for its age. See all photos for overall condition. With foot switch. Mains lead will need plug fitting. With cover. Collection preferable.
    ... more
    eBay logo
    Pair 2x Vintage 1960s Elac 10N / 87 15ohm 10" Speakers Watkins V Front Vox AC10

    Pair 2x Vintage 1960s Elac 10N / 87 15ohm 10" Speakers Watkins V Front Vox AC10

    Heanor, DE75***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £225

    Pair 2x Vintage 1960s Elac 10N / 87 15ohm 10" Speakers Watkins V Front Vox AC10
    This is a wonderful matched pair of original Elac 10N / 87 speakers, as used in Vox AC10 and Watkins V Front amplifiers. These ones are 16ohms and are in perfect working order - and super clean condition too! Original cones, tested well, and ready to go! I've got quite a few of these, so if you need more let me know. Please have a close look at the high resolution photographs below, as these form part of our ... more
    eBay logo
    Lefthanded 1970s Wilson Rapier 22 guitar

    Lefthanded 1970s Wilson Rapier 22 guitar

    Holbeach, Lincolnshire, PE12***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £287

    A lefthanded 1970s Wilson Rapier guitar. In pretty average condition for age but does work and has quite a distinctive retro sound
    ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage 1970s Painted Fiberglass Hockey Goalie Mask #29 Dunc Wilson!

    Vintage 1970's Painted Fiberglass Hockey Goalie Mask #29 Dunc Wilson!

    Vancouver, BC, CANADA

    $700

    Vintage 1970's Painted Fiberglass Hockey Goalie Mask #29 Ken Dryden! Vintage 1970's Painted Fiberglass Hockey Goalie Mask #29 Ken Dryden!
    ... more
    eBay logo
    Watkins  /  Wilson Super Six Natural 1970s Rare 6 String Electric Guitar

    Watkins / Wilson Super Six Natural 1970's Rare 6 String Electric Guitar

    Leeds, LS6***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £614

    Delve into the vintage world of music with the Watkins / Wilson Super Six, a rare 1970's six-string electric guitar that offers a unique addition to any musician's collection. Crafted with a solid body type, this guitar is designed for enduring performance and longevity, making it a favourite among both budding and seasoned guitarists The clear body colour allows for unobstructed view of the beautiful interior craftsmanship and the six-string configuration ensures a full-bodied tone suitable ... more
    eBay logo
    WATKINS COPICAT SUPER I C  MODEL Vgc

    WATKINS COPICAT SUPER I C MODEL Vgc

    Peterborough, PE7***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £209

    collection Pe68nu only... more
    eBay logo
    WATKINS WEM  Mk III / IV COPICAT TAPE ECHO + Spare Tapes

    WATKINS WEM Mk III / IV COPICAT TAPE ECHO + Spare Tapes

    Bradford, BD13***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £287

    Mid 1970's tape echo unit in good condition. Recently tested, and all heads + selector switches working. Rotary controls verified OK. Some scuffs and light damage to the case as shown in the pictures, which could be refurbished with new covering You are welcome to test before buying 6 new tape loops included
    As they left the factory there was no earth connection and only two core mains cable. Since there is a metal chassis, Copicats of this age should always be rewired to include an ... more
    eBay logo
    Watkins WEM VALVE CUSTOM COPICAT with Cover - 110V - 220-230V - RTB Warranty

    Watkins WEM VALVE CUSTOM COPICAT with Cover - 110V - 220-230V - RTB Warranty

    Old Windsor, SL4***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £491

    In Excelent condition and with its original protective cover
    Unit has been serviced with critical components replacedwhere necessary.
    The heads have all been cleaned and demag'd, with a new tapefitted.
    A 3-core earthed mains lead has been fitted ?? DON??T USE ANY COPICATWITHOUT THIS MOD!!.
    Comes with a 3-months RTB warranty, shippingcosts are buyers responsibility
    ... more
    eBay logo
    Watkins Rapier 33 Red Circa 1963 (4691)

    Watkins Rapier 33 Red Circa 1963 (4691)

    UK, UNITED KINGDOM

    £900

    ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage 1970s Wem Watkins Copicat MK3 / 4 Tape Echo Delay. Tested and working

    Vintage 1970's Wem Watkins Copicat MK3 / 4 Tape Echo Delay. Tested and working

    Pudsey, LS28***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £245

    There are dozens of pedals that offer a tape simulated echo, but nothing sounds quite the same as the real thing.
    This is one of the later, more reliable units - although still around 50 years old.
    It all functions as it as it should, the only thing I??ve not tested, is the foot switch because I don??t have one
    The motor is not noisy, all three modes work as they should, the pots are a bit scratchy?? but I haven??t taken it apart to spray them with switch cleaner because it??s fully ... more
    eBay logo
    Watkins Rapier 33 Electric Guitar (3938)  - Produced 1963.

    Watkins Rapier 33 Electric Guitar (3938) - Produced 1963.

    Falmouth, TR11***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £500

    The Watkins Rapier 33 Electric Guitar is a rare gem for any guitar enthusiast. Made in England in the 1960s, this guitar features a solid body type and a 6-string configuration, perfect for any right-handed player  
    This guitar was originally red however it was repainted black approximately 35 years ago (possibly inspired by a Rolling Stones song). The pick guard is cracked around the output jack and there are several small chips in the paint on the body. All three pickups, tuners, bridge ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage 60s Wilson WEM Ranger I Guitar Pickguard Scratchplate Made In England #1

    Vintage 60s Wilson WEM Ranger I Guitar Pickguard Scratchplate Made In England #1

    Plymouth, Devon, PL2***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £25

    Vintage 60s Wilson WEM Ranger I Guitar Pickguard Scratchplate Made In England #1
    Sadly covered in stickers; I have removed as much as possible but have not been able to remove them all.
    If you need a 1:1 scan of the Pickguard please send me an EMAIL using the contact details on my shop page as unfortunately eBay messages do not support PDF
    I cannot guarantee that any hardware fits without modiifcation
    Maybe suitable for a refinish or as a guide for making replacements
    Removed ... more
    eBay logo
    WEM WATKINS  HR30 Bj 1965

    WEM WATKINS HR30 Bj 1965

    Edingen-Neckarhausen, 68***, GERMANY

    €1000

    Wird als Defekt / Ersatzteile verkauft es wurde nicht getestet und unten fehlt auch der eine Fußteil bitte Bilder beachten

    Wird so verkauft wie es auf den Bildern zu sehen Artikel hat Gebrauchsspuren wie Kratzer Dellen und Rissen


    Bitte Bilder beachten

    Für Versand nach Ausland bitte über die Versandkosten informieren

    Defekt / Ersatzteile werden auch wirklich als Defekt / Ersatzteile-Bastler verkauft ist daher vom Rückgabe ausgeschlossen ... more
    eBay logo
    1965 Watkins England Rapier Bass - Powder Blue - Original

    1965 Watkins England Rapier Bass - Powder Blue - Original

    Nottingham, NG1***, UNITED KINGDOM

    £800

    A super rare, iconic British piece of music history - an English-made Watkins Rapier Bass, dating from 1965

    Dating to 1965 owing to the 4 digit serial and its concurrence with the ?65 serial run - this also definitely makes it a ?Watkins?? - pre-WEM / Wilson. For this reason, some of these earlier models (including this one) did not feature the usually-seen branded top right horn ?guard??, I believe. A few early model also had no headstock decal paired with a small white truss guard ... more
    eBay logo

    Find more WEM at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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

    Comment on this article

    Anti-spam question - to catch web robots

    Contact
    info@vintageguitarandbass.com

    mailing list

    Follow

    Facebook  Instagram  YouTube

    Other Great Sites

    Recent posts on vintage guitar and bass

    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