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FENDER | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Fender advertisement (1971)

Fender. What more need we say

Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Fender Jazz bass, Fender Mustang bass

just that Fender guitars are played by stars the world over - from big-beat blues to folk music, c&w to acid rock. The greatest guitars in the world
UK Dallas Arbiter (Fender distributor) featuring the Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jazz bass and Mustang bass

Fender advertisement (1971) Fender. What more need we say

Other related vintage advertisements

Fender Telecaster - Don
Fender Telecaster - 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 Stratocaster - Synchronized tremolo action
Fender Stratocaster - Synchronized tremolo action
Early Fender advert highlighting the Stratocasters tremolo - 'a flick of the wrist means live, tremolo action' - perfect pitch
Fender Telecaster - Fender fine electric instruments
Fender Telecaster - 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 Telecaster - Listen
Fender Telecaster - Listen
Late fifties telecaster / twin amp advertisement
Fender Jazz - The most imitated guitar in the world
Fender Jazz - The most imitated guitar in the world
Early sixties Fender advert for three guitars and one bass - the Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Stratocaster and Jazz bass, highlighting the design and components that made these guitars: bridges, pickups, etc
Fender Jazz - Quality Means Confidence
Fender Jazz - Quality Means Confidence
Early sixties advert for the Fender Jazz bass and the Stratocaster guitar
Fender Jazz - The Most Imitated Guitars In The World
Fender Jazz - The Most Imitated Guitars In The World
Mid sixties Fender advert featuring the Fender Jazz bass, Fender Jaguar guitar, Fender Wildwood acoustic, and a new model, the Fender Bandmaster amplifier.
Fender Jazz - The Name that Makes the Difference
Fender Jazz - The Name that Makes the Difference
This mid sixties advert shows a Fender decal being applied to a Jazz bass. Despite the model depicted, this is really an advert for the Fender company rather than any individual model.
Fender Stratocaster - Olé
Fender Stratocaster - Olé
Fender advert from the middle of 1966 for Fender guitars. Featuring the Stratocaster and Jaguar solid-bodies, the Coronado semi-acoustic and the Concert acoustic.
Fender Telecaster - From Arbiter the Most Wanted Guitar in Britain Today Telecaster by Fender
Fender Telecaster - 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 Jazz - Full Color Sound
Fender Jazz - Full Color Sound
From Fender Musical Instruments, representing the complete musical spectrum with a selection of master-crafted guitars and amplifiers. See the complete line of Fender Musical Instruments at any aut...
Fender Jazz - Get Fenderized
Fender Jazz - 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 Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Fender Jazz, Fender Mustang

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1964 Fender Stratocaster, Near-Mint, The One??L@@K!!!

1964 Fender Stratocaster, Near-Mint, The One??L@@K!!!

Flushing, New York, 113**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$69995

Uncle Lou here, and you are admiring one of the best ?64 Strats you??ll ever see. It??s from my personal collection and easily one of the most stunning rosewood board Strats in existence, plus it??s got all the goods: 100% original, lightweight, gorgeous sunburst finish (no clown burst), L-series number, spaghetti logo, clay dots, green guard, super hot pickups that read in high 6k range, lots of fret height so it plays as good as it looks & sounds. The overall condition is ridiculous, only ... more
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1957 ORIGINAL VINTAGE FENDER STRATOCASTER MARY KAYE

1957 ORIGINAL VINTAGE FENDER STRATOCASTER MARY KAYE

Las Vegas, Nevada, 891**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$65000

AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL 1957MARY KAYE FENDER STRATOCASSTER

OFFERED IS THISTRUE ORIGINAL VINTAGE EARLY 1957 MARY KAYE STRATOCASTER, SERIAL # 19141 (FEB57) WITH THE ORGINAL CASE. THE BODY AND NECK ARE CORRECT TO THIS GUITAR (2-57) TUBMARK AND (2-57) NECK MARK. THE GUITAR WAS JUST REFINISHED TO THE CORRECT 801TRANSLUCENT WHITE BLOND WITH NITROCELLULOSE LAQUER. FINISH BY FENDER EXPERTSETH MAYER (see impeccable resume).
WHEN IAQUIRED THE INSTRUMENT I WAS TOLD IT WAS AFFECTIONATELY NAMED ... more
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1960 Fender Stratocaster very rare & original Fiesta Red w / a Slab Rosewood neck.

1960 Fender Stratocaster very rare & original Fiesta Red w / a Slab Rosewood neck.

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

$59995

This is a fabulous all original 1960 Fender Stratocaster & was very Special Ordered to emulate ??Hank Marvin?? whom was at his pinnacle w / his band, The Shadows. His trademark was a outragious Fiesta Red Strat as many were ordered by Fender??s disributor in the UK at that time. This Strat is a lovely example of the typical production as most bodies were taken from off the line & most started life as a Black guitar w / gray undercoating. Fender then reshot these in their famous Fiesta ... more
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original 1957 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst w / orig. tweed case

original 1957 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst w / orig. tweed case

Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$54900


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this early 1957 Fender Stratocaster in its original Sunburst finish. It has a great playing neck with a "V" profile and good frets. All parts are original to this Strat and it is 100% complete along with its original tremolo arm, bridge cover and tweed hardshell case. The neck dates to February 1957, pots dating to January 1957 and the body date of December 1956. The pickup covers and knobs are the earlier "bakelite" ... more
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1956 Fender Stratocaster

1956 Fender Stratocaster

Henderson, Nevada, 890**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$50000

A wonderful original 1956 Stratocaster. Special in that it was one of the very first Alder bodies by Leo himself. NIce soft "V" figured neck. All original, none original owner w pictures included, plays and sounds like a dream. 7 5 lbs, original tweed case
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE. Contact us with your full address for a shipping quote
The shipping price includes full insurance. We only ship on Tuesdays and Saturdays We have a no fee discount
We buy guitars for top dollar ... more
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1965 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst Rosewood Ilitch Hum Cancelling System & HSC

1965 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst Rosewood Ilitch Hum Cancelling System & HSC

Mora, Minnesota, 550**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$42999

Born on Date: 2 August 65 Sunburst with Rosewood with Original Pickups - Bridge pickup painstakingly rewound by Ilitch Electronics - who also supplied the Ilitch Hum Cancelling System hidden in the pickguard. It's a hum free legendary classic bell like crystal clear magical tones. It's also wired for 7 way and can be used as originally setup - 3 way as well. Think Versatility Plus!
This baby has been Played. Alot. A Whole Lot. Ron Tracy tells it like this: You wore the frets right off this ... more
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Vintage FENDER 1958 Stratocaster

Vintage FENDER 1958 Stratocaster

Encino, California, 914**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$41500

Thanks for checkin' out this beautiful old Strat! A 66 year old vintage Pre CBS Fender Stratocaster, a creation of the great Leo Fender himself - A true players guitar and real life work-horse!! Feels like butter, plays like a dream, a well seasoned 58 Strat weighing in at a mere 7lbs 5oz, mostly original - plastic knobs and double-lined (1960's) tuners appear not to be. Personally owned since 1992. Here's a real investment that will only appreciate in value as time goes by (unlike the ... more
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1956 Fender Stratocaster Vintage Guitar One-Piece Ash, Blonde w /  V Neck, Case

1956 Fender Stratocaster Vintage Guitar One-Piece Ash, Blonde w / V Neck, Case

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

$41000

Up for sale, a 1956 Fender Stratocaster in excellent condition, retaining its original Blonde nitro lacquer finish and complete with the original tweed case. Produced early in '56, this Stratocaster embodies everything that makes Fender's Pre-CBS golden era a truly magical time for electric guitars, and specifically for a pioneering, space-age instrument like the Strat. Featuring original pickups, hardware and bakelite plastics, this Stratocaster boasts a particularly resonant one-piece ash ... more
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1959 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst Pre-CBS w / HSC

1959 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst Pre-CBS w / HSC

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

$39995

1959 Fender Stratocaster In Sunburst Finish
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Original Finish Shows Lacquer Checking And Cosmetic Playwear Throughout Including Various Dings, Marks, And Scratches Throughout
New Pickguard Screws, Switch And Tuners
Both E-String Saddles Replaced
Made In Fullerton, CA
Alder Body
Maple Neck With 7 25" Radius And Black Dot Inlays
Original Frets In Very Good Condition And ... more
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Vintage 1957 Fender Stratocaster All Original Sunburst Rare Hardtail with OHSC

Vintage 1957 Fender Stratocaster All Original Sunburst Rare Hardtail with OHSC

Floresville, Texas, 781**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$37988

This is the real deal, two owner 1957 Fender Stratocaster hardtail electric guitar, the iconic American made master piece instrument in completely original, unrestored, true vintage condition. It needs nothing at all. It plays and sounds perfectly. The v shape neck is spectacular. The guitar very light weight so you feel the vibration with every strum. Very resonant tone you just can??t replicate. Did you know fenders first guitar they ever reissued was the 1957? That should tell ya something ... more
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1961 Fender Jazz Bass "Stack Knob" rarest & most desirable Bass in the world !

1961 Fender Jazz Bass "Stack Knob" rarest & most desirable Bass in the world !

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

$37495

This is the ultimate all original 1st year of production Pre-CBS ??Stacked Pot?? Jazz Bass w / all the 1st issue features in untouched original condition from its 1 & only original owner, it has its original 3-tone Sunburst finish over a very lightweight Alder body dated 1961 & weighing in at a scant 9 lbs. 4 oz; these early Jazz Basses are ridiculously rare, its ??Unbound?? Slab Rosewood Clay Dot neck has the most figured ??Birdeye?? maple we??ve ever seen on an original ??Stack Knob?? ... more
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1957 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst

1957 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst

Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$36900


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1957 Fender Stratocaster in its original Sunburst finish. It has a great playing neck with good frets. The original 3-way switch was changed to a 5-way and the volume pot was changed. The pickup windings and wires have all been shielded in copper along with a couple of changed wires and an added ground wire. The plastic backplate is not original and there is no tremolo arm. All other parts are original. The ... more
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1965 Fender Stratocaster Vintage Guitar Olympic White w /  Case

1965 Fender Stratocaster Vintage Guitar Olympic White w / Case

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

$36000

Up for sale, a 1965 Fender Stratocaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order, finished in original custom color Olympic White and complete with the original hardshell case
Weighing 7lbs 8oz and offering a very pronounced and bass-rich natural resonance and acoustic bark, this alder-bodied Strat needs no neck shim for optimal neck pitch, with full contact in the pocket between the body and neck
The gray bobbin pickups all retain their original windings, and via the original... more
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1961 Fender Jazz Bass Stack Knob

1961 Fender Jazz Bass Stack Knob

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$34595

1961 Fender Jazz Bass, Rare Stack Knob, Brazilian RosewoodSlab Board with clay dot inlays, Lovely Sunburst finish, Tortoise Pickguard, Two Pickups, Both covers, One of the finest basses ever made, Hang tag, VG++, Original Brown hard case, $34, 595
... more
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Vintage 1965 FENDER STRATOCASTER The Real Deal ALL ORIGINAL Dec 64 Neck w / OHSC

Vintage 1965 FENDER STRATOCASTER The Real Deal ALL ORIGINAL Dec '64 Neck w / OHSC

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

$31995

Fender Stratocaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Fullerton, California, ALL ORIGINAL serial # L70363, sunburst lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case
This is a superb original example of a "transition" early-CBS era Stratocaster, with some light wear but all original, unmodified, and appearing relatively little used. This Strat was built in Spring of 1965. The neck code is 2 DEC 64B; the pots are coded 137 ... more
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Fender 1966 Stratocaster All Original "Candy Apple Red Metallic"

Fender 1966 Stratocaster All Original "Candy Apple Red Metallic"

Kosciusko, Mississippi, 390**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$30000

This Fender Stratocaster is a must-have for any guitar enthusiast. With its vibrant "Candy Apple Red Metallic" body color, this electric guitar is sure to make a statement. The brand, Fender, is known for its high-quality instruments and this Stratocaster is no exception.

The guitar features a comfortable neck and a smooth fingerboard, allowing for ease of playability. The body color is a striking red, making it a standout instrument. This Fender Stratocaster is perfect for... more
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Fender Telecaster Blonde 1967-1968  Made in the USA Vintage with Bigsby & case

Fender Telecaster Blonde 1967-1968 Made in the USA Vintage with Bigsby & case

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

$26500

Fender Telecaster Blonde 1967-1968 Made in the USA 6-String Solid Body Electric Guitar with bigsby , and Maple Fingerboard in excellent condition with original vintage hard case and accessories.

Beautiful vintage fender one owner guitar , pick guard was removed for the first time for the photos , neck removed for the first time as well for the photo identification, never abused , all original , original frets , original fender bigsby , some minor fret wear in the first few frets... more
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1959 Fender Stratocaster Vintage Guitar Pre-CBS, Matador Red Lacquer (Riggio)

1959 Fender Stratocaster Vintage Guitar Pre-CBS, Matador Red Lacquer (Riggio)

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

$25500

Up for sale, a 1959 Fender Stratocaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a tweed hardshell case. Unique in its presentation, this Stratocaster hails from early in the 1959 model year, with a body-only refinish in Fender's custom color Matador Red (the progenitor of Fiesta Red). Executed by Riggio Custom Guitars, what sets this finish apart is the use of genuine New Old Stock nitro lacquer from the 1950s, still stable and viable after many decades and utilized ... more
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1951 Fender Telecaster Vintage

1951 Fender Telecaster Vintage

Lake Stevens, Washington, 982**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$25000

1951 Fender Telecaster



Yes, it is shockingly horrific what happened to this guitar. Take a few moments to collect yourself and then read on



You can also check out the unboxing video. But make sure to read the listing as this describes exactly what you are getting in this sale



Feel free to contact the shop if you would like an in hand or verbal response / interaction on this guy



First ... more
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1975 Fender Stratocaster "Lucite" bodied NAMM Show Prototype rarest of the rare.

1975 Fender Stratocaster "Lucite" bodied NAMM Show Prototype rarest of the rare.

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

$24995

This is perhaps one of the rarest Stratocasters ever produced by Fender & is in our Private Collection for the last 25 years. This is a factory made Strat for its display at the NAMM Show that year. It was based on a 1975 spec Strat w / a cool twist. It has a very unusual see-thru Resin ??sandwiched?? body that has an Opaque Orange front 1 / 2 of its body w / a Clear back 1 / 2 of its body made to show off its electronics to all that are interested in seeing the inside of a Strat. It has a ... more
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Find more Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Fender Jazz, Fender Mustang at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass

1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass The Hagstrom Swede bass, or model HB 903, was only built in small numbers: just 1479 basses shipped between 1971 and 1976. Unlike the current range of Hagstrom guitars, the 1950s-1980s Hagstroms were built in Sweden. This example comes from 1973 and is pretty typical: translucent cherry finish, mahogany body, mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard. It's a really nice bass, beautifully appointed with a very wide tonal range, and a great playing feel. It is relatively heavy though for a mahogany instrument, mostly due to its thick solid body. Very cool bass, and certainly one of the very best basses produced by Hagstrom.

1973 Shaftesbury 3400

1973 Shaftesbury 3400 This example of the Shaftesbury 3400 was produced by Japanese manufacturer Matsumoku who made some great quality guitars in the 1970s and 1980s. This is a slightly later example, and has some features not seen on earlier 3400s. Although nice guitars, these are not in the same league as the Gibson Les Paul it was emulating (no set neck, no carved maple top); but they are far better than many of the entry-level Les Paul copies available in the mid-1970s - for example the Shaftesbury 3400 has gold plated hardware, a solid body bound front and back, Maxon brand humbuckers and nice inlaid neck and headstock.

1971 Epiphone 1802T

1971 Epiphone 1802T The Epiphone 1802T was the early name given to the Epiphone ET-270 and derived from an existing Aria guitar, also the 1802T. This was the first of the 1970s Epiphone solid bodies made in Japan by Matsumoku.The model evolved somewhat over its short production run: the very earliest examples were very similar to the Aria, sharing the same body shape, hardware, and clear-coated neck with Fender-style headstock with decal logo. By the time it was designated the Epiphone ET-270 it had been upgraded with the classic Epiphone-style headstock, with nice inlaid logo, and Epiphone 'E' motifs on the truss rod cover and scratchplate. This example from 1971 is somewhere in between with the Epiphone-style headstock, but with silk-screened logo, and no 'E's.

1971 Shaftesbury 3400

1971 Shaftesbury 3400Shaftesbury was a brand distributed by Rose-Morris in the UK - generally imported guitars from Italy or Japan. This guitar, model 3400 was produced by Matsumoku in Japan, and was one of the earliest Les Paul copy guitars, debuting in the UK in 1969, although the same guitar was also sold as the Univox U1982 'Rhythm and Blues' by Merson in the USA as early as 1968. It was also available in different territories under different marques, most obviously the Aria 5522 (Japan), Jedson Jet 4444 (UK, Dallas Arbiter), with no doubt many more examples worldwide.

1981 Gibson Victory MVX

1981 Gibson Victory MV-XThe Gibson Victory MV-X, or Victory 'Multi-Voice' 10, was so-named because of the 10 distinct switch settings: although on first glance this guitar is very much a 'super-strat', with its three-pickup 5-way switch wiring configuration, the original advertising, sounds like... all of 'em underlines that this isn't just a Stratocaster copy, having the sounds of both Gibson humbuckers and Fender single coils available with a flick of a switch. The model was short-lived, with the first instruments shipping from Kalamazoo in Summer of 1981, and the last (excluding any stragglers) leaving Nashville by early 1982. This one was stamped on August 3rd 1981 in Kalamazoo.

1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogue

1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogScan of 1970 Epiphone guitar catalogue produced by Rosetti for the UK market. Undated but most likely from mid-late 1970, this was the first UK catalogue to show the new range of Japanese (Matsumoku) Epiphone guitars. Interestingly, these pages show the Epiphone solid bodies with a single-sided Fender-style headstock layout - a feature quickly replaced with a typical two-sided Epiphone headstock almost immediately. Epiphone electric guitars: 9520, 9525; bass guitars: 9521, 9526; acoustic guitars: 6730, 6830, 6834

A World of Guitars by Rosetti - 1971

1971 A World of Guitars by Rosetti catalogueScan of 1971 Rosetti catalogue (UK) featuring guitars from from numerous manufacturers worldwide: guitars by Epiphone, Hagstrom, Levin, Hoyer, Egmond, Eros, Moridaira, Kiso-Suzuki, Schaller, and Tatra.

1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1961 Hofner Colorama I

1961 Hofner Colorama IHofner Colorama was the name UK distributor Selmer gave to a series of solid and semi-solid guitars built by Hofner for distribution in the UK. The construction and specifications of the guitars varied over the period of production, but by 1961 it was a totally solid, double cutaway instrument, with a set neck, translucent cherry finish, six-in-a-row headstock, and Hofner Diamond logo pickups. Available as a single or dual pickup guitar, this sngle pickup version would have been sold in mainland Europe as the Hofner 161.

1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)Commodore was a brand applied to a series of guitars produced in Japan at the well-respected Matsumoku plant from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s - and sold primarily (perhaps exclusively?) in the United Kingdom. The models bearing the Commodore name were all guitars available from different distributors with different branding. Although there may have been some minor changes in appointments (specifically headstock branding) most had the same basic bodies, hardware and construction. Equivalent models to the Commodore N25 (and this is by no means an exhaustive list) include the Aria 5102T, Conrad 5102T(?), Electra 2221, Lyle 5102T, Ventura V-1001, Univox Coily - and most famously the Epiphone 5102T / Epiphone EA-250.

1960 Hofner Colorama II

1960 Hofner Colorama IIThe Hofner Colorama was the name given by Selmer to a series of solid (and semi-solid) body Hofner guitars distributed in the United Kingdom between 1958 and 1965. The Colorama name actually applied to some quite different guitars over the period, but in 1960 it was a very light, semi-solid, set necked guitar with one (Colorama I) or two (Colorama II, as seen here) Toaster pickups. Although an entry-level guitar, it was very well-built, and a fine playing guitar; certainly a step up (at least in terms of craftsmanship) from many of the Colorama guitars that would follow, and a good deal of the guitars available in Britain circa 1960.

1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

1971 Epiphone 1820 (ET-280) bassBy the end of the 1960s, a decision had been made to move Epiphone guitar production from the USA (at the Kalamazoo plant where Gibson guitars were made), to Matsumoto in Japan, creating a line of guitars and basses significantly less expensive than the USA-built models (actually less than half the price). The Matsumoku factory had been producing guitars for export for some time, but the 1820 bass (alongside a number of guitar models and the 5120 electric acoustic bass) were the first Epiphone models to be made there. These new Epiphones were based on existing Matsumoku guitars, sharing body shapes, and hardware, but the Epiphone line was somewhat upgraded, with inlaid logos and a 2x2 peghead configuration. Over the course of the 70s, the Japanese output improved dramatically, and in many ways these early 70s models are a low point for the brand. Having said this, there are a lot worse guitars out there, and as well as being historically important, the 1820 bass can certainly provide the goods when required.

1981 Gibson Marauder

1981 Gibson MarauderProduction of Bill Lawrence's Gibson Marauder began in 1974, with production peaking in 1978. But by 1980 the model was officially discontinued, though very small numbers slipped out as late as spring 1981. Over 7000 examples shipped between 1974 and 1979, and although no totals are available for 1980 and 1981, it is unlikely production reached three figures in either of these years. These final Marauders were all assembled at the Gibson Nashville plant, and had some nice features not available through the later years of production, such as a rosewood fretboard, and in this case, an opaque 'Devil Red' finish. It's a great looking and fine playing guitar!

1971 'Pick Epiphone' Catalog

1971 Pick Epiphone catalogWhen Epiphone production moved from Kalamazoo to the Matsumoku plant in Japan, a whole new range of electric, flattop and classic acoustic guitars was launched. Between late 1970 and 1972 the new models were launched and refined. This 'folder' catalog contains various inserts released over these years detailing four electric six-strings (ET-270, ET-275, ET-278, and thinline EA-250), three bass guitars (ET-280, ET-285, and thinline EA-260), three folk/steel acoustics, four jumbo flattop acoustics, two 12-string jumbos, four classic acoustics, and a banjo.

1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

1981 Gibson Specials Pre-Owners Manual'Gibson Specials' was part of the June 1981 pre-owners manual series, but unlike the other folders contained a mish-mash of different guitars: limited editions, test marketing and close outs. "You will find the unusual, the brand-new, and the bargain within this folder". End of line 70s guitars like the Marauder, S-1, and L-6S Custom mixed in with brand new models the The V, The Explorer and the Flying V Bass.
It was the largest folder in the series, with 24 inserts, (19 guitars and 5 basses): Guitars: 335-S Standard, Melody Maker Double, Marauder, L-6S Custom, S-1, RD Artist, Firebird, Firebird II, Flying V, Flying V-II, The V, Explorer, Explorer II, The Explorer, The "SG" Standard, Les Paul Artist, Les Paul Artisan, ES-335 Heritage, ES-175/CC Basses: Grabber, G-3, L-9S, RD Artist Bass, Flying V Bass

1970s Shaftesbury 3263 bass

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

1961 Hohner Zambesi

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

1963 Vox Super Ace

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

1966 Vox New Escort

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

1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin Care Catalog scan. The 1969 Fender Lovin' Care catalog consisted of 48 pages of electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, steel guitars, acoustic guitars, banjos and keyboards. Like the previous catalog, this featured the company's guitars in a variety of interesting settings around California, from the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, to the Hollywood Bowl. Several instruments were making their first appearance amongst it's pages: the Telecaster bass, Montego and LTD jazz guitars, and the Redondo acoustic. It was the final catalog appearance, however, of the Electric XII, Bass V, Duo-Sonic, Coronado I and Coronado Bass I.

1973 Eko Ranger Folk

1973 Eko Ranger Folk The Eko Ranger series of guitars was incredibly popular in the second half of the 1960s and through the 1970s, selling in very large numbers. The Ranger Folk was 1 1/4" smaller, and 1" shallower than the Ranger VI and XII - and with a narrower waist. Not a bad guitar; a little quiet, but pretty playable. These were great value in 1973, and because they sold so many, they are easy to find and excellent value today.

1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

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

1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

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

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

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

1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

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

1972 Fender Precision bass

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

1967 Vox Stroller

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

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

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

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

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