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
GIBSON | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Gibson advertisement (1979)

And Now For My Next Number.....

Gibson The Paul

Advert announcing the newly launched the "Paul" solid body electric. This advert from early 1979 shows Mr. Les Paul himself promoting the instrument.

This was, of course before the model was split into a Standard and Deluxe version; this guitar corresponds to the walnut-bodied Standard.

Gibson advertisement (1979) And Now For My Next Number.....

Other related vintage advertisements

Gibson The Paul - Gibson Guitars. To the Tune of $399 and Up
Gibson The Paul - Gibson Guitars. To the Tune of $399 and Up
Gibson electric guitars begin with the Marauder at $399. And it begins where most of its competitors leave off—with high power electronics, a full range pan pickup potentiometer and the same...
Gibson The Paul - The Firebrands. Hot New Brands at a Price that Doesn
Gibson The Paul - The Firebrands. Hot New Brands at a Price that Doesn't Burn.
Advert for two new versions of two established Gibson models: "The SG" Deluxe and "The Paul" Deluxe. In 1980 Gibson decided on a new branding concept for its instruments; there would be three serie...

2024 Vintage Guitar price guide 2024 Vintage Guitar price guide

Need the value of your guitar? The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2024 is out now: Amazon


Vintage guitar parts for sale
Classic Bikes for Sale Classic Motorcycles For Sale
Classic Cars for Sale Classic Cars For Sale

Gibson The Paul

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 Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom Stoptail Tailpiece - Aluminum Featherweight

Vintage Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom Stoptail Tailpiece - Aluminum Featherweight

Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$895

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic and completely original
Vintage Gibson 1968 - 1970 Les Paul Custom Gold Stoptail
Rare and correct for that awesome 1966-1970 Gibson LPC Black Beauty!
Also correct for a stoptail ES-345 or ES-355!
This is an awesome original gold plated aluminum stoptail
Featherweight, just like a 1950's Tailpiece, these are in fact largely interchangeable with a 1950s stop tail - the only minor difference is the ... more
eBay logo
Vintage Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom Stoptail Tailpiece - Aluminum Featherweight!

Vintage Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom Stoptail Tailpiece - Aluminum Featherweight!

Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$895

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic and completely original
Vintage Gibson 1968 - 1970 Les Paul Custom Gold Stoptail
Rare and correct for that awesome 1966-1970 Gibson LPC Black Beauty!
Also correct for a stoptail ES-345 or ES-355!
This is an awesome original gold plated aluminum stoptail
Featherweight, just like a 1950's Tailpiece, these are in fact largely interchangeable with a 1950s stop tail - the only minor difference is the ... more
eBay logo
Classic 1981 Gibson Les Paul Heritage Series Standard 80 - Made in the USA

Classic 1981 Gibson Les Paul Heritage Series Standard 80 - Made in the USA

Pompano Beach, Florida, 330**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5257

1981 Gibson Les Paul Model
Heritage Series
Standard 80
Made in the USA
Serial Number: 81601710
0122
Comes in a DELUXE Leather Soft Case
$$ Professionally setup for optimal tone and playability by Lay's Guitar Shop in Akron, Ohio (Including Fret Work, Intonation, Truss Rod, Buffed Fingerboard and Set the Action) who also repaired the back of the headstock
Truly Stage or Studio Ready!


Here is a golden treasure that is sure to give you more than a ... more
eBay logo
FIREBRAND DELUXE GIBSON 1980 Professional "The Paul" Natural Electric Guitar

FIREBRAND DELUXE GIBSON 1980 Professional "The Paul" Natural Electric Guitar

McAllen, Texas, 785**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3995

Here??s your chance at a higher end players grade Gibson Les Paul Firebrand Deluxe in mahogany! 8 0lbs weight
First and foremost, this is not a museum quality instrument, it has a few dings and scratches that are common on a n instrument of this age, I??ll do my best to show in photographs
That being said, there have been no major repairs or headstock cracks and it sounds and feels fantastic!
This is the real ??firebrand??, meaning the Gibson headstock logo has been burnt into the ... more
eBay logo
Used Gibson 1981 Les Paul Firebrand "The Paul" Deluxe with Hard Case

Used Gibson 1981 Les Paul Firebrand "The Paul" Deluxe with Hard Case

Hudson Falls, New York, 128**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1699

Up for sale is a used Gibson Firebrand "The Paul" Deluxe. This classic Les Paul has been thoroughly tested and found to be in perfect working order. This guitar has been fitted with a set of Benson Custom pickups. (pictured) The guitar will ship with an Epiphone branded hard case Listing and template services provided by inkFrog
... more
eBay logo
1981 Gibson USA The Paul Electric Guitar Husk Repaired

1981 Gibson USA The Paul Electric Guitar Husk Repaired

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

$750

Up for sale is a 1981 Gibson USA The Paul empty husk. The headstock was cracked a while back. All breaks have been repaired. They are good solid repairs but the crack lines are still visible and can be felt. Lots of other cosmetic damage but it??s still a solid player. The entire guitar was finished with a glossy poly. It??s been strung up and played without issues. The frets are good. The truss rod works great. Neck is straight. I will ship well packaged in a proper box  Thanks for looking ... more
eBay logo
Vintage Gibson late 1960s Les Paul Custom, etc.  Featherweight StopTailpiece

Vintage Gibson late 1960s Les Paul Custom, etc. Featherweight StopTailpiece

Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$889

ORIGINAL GIBSON VINTAGE .Stoptail Tailpiece - Featherweight! Vintage Gibson late 1960s. Good for Les Paul Customs and other Gibson guitars with gold hardware
32 Grams. Shows light scratches on top
Comes with the original gold studs. Slots show no wear One is very clean and the other shows light wear to the gold finish on top
Shipped with full Insurance... more
eBay logo
1979 Gibson The Paul Les Paul with original T top pickups

1979 Gibson The Paul Les Paul with original T top pickups

Tinley Park, Illinois, 604**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1979

1979 Gibson The Paul Les Paul with original T top pickups. Free shipping. US 48 states only. Thanks  !
... more
eBay logo
Vintage 1960s Gibson featherweight Les Paul Wraparound Tailpiece  /  chrome

Vintage 1960s Gibson featherweight Les Paul Wraparound Tailpiece / chrome

Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$585

Vintage 1960's Gibson chrome Les Paul / SG Special Wraparound Tailpiece Bridge
Weighs 32 grams.
smooth with no notching, some finish wear.
Shipped with full insurance... more
eBay logo
Used Gibson 1981 Les Paul Firebrand "The Paul" Deluxe with Hard Case

Used Gibson 1981 Les Paul Firebrand "The Paul" Deluxe with Hard Case

Phoenix, Arizona, 850**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1295

This 1981 Gibson Firebrand "The Paul - Deluxe" guitar is not a show piece. It has definitely been used over the years and has a few superficial battle scares to document the life it's led. It still plays well and sounds great. I bought it used in 1989 and proceeded to expose it to rowdy Bar crowds, the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke on a regular basis. To my knowledge it is all original other than the pick guard as the original was cracked at some point in time. I did replace the guard ... more
eBay logo
1979 gibson les paul greeney stripey KM Rare One Of The Last On Prod Line

1979 gibson les paul greeney stripey KM Rare One Of The Last On Prod Line

Stoke on trent, ST1***, UNITED KINGDOM

£13800

1979 gibson les paul greeney stripey.
Odd
Knock and bang
See p green at end photo slash at Glastonbury

Gen sale,
Can drop off or collect or
Post .
Original case,
Metal nut, Seymour Duncan pickups.
Haven??t got original hum buckers
Come play if genuine purchaser or ask for video.
Email me before bidding as eBay won??t let me ask any more than the amount shown, I require 12, 000 really but don??t know how to alter this
... more
eBay logo
1979 Gibson The Paul electric guitar, collectors item

1979 Gibson The Paul electric guitar, collectors item

Ottawa, Ontario, K1S***, CANADA

C $3800

1979 Gibson The Paul. Was refinished at some point, hence no Gibson logo on the headstock. Looking closely, you can see it was there at one point. One pickup has been upgraded, recently set up professionally. Beautiful guitar that is in perfect working condition and plays awesome.... more
eBay logo
** Gibson The Paul I Walnut 1978 * T-Top Humbucker **

** Gibson The Paul I Walnut 1978 * T-Top Humbucker **

Werl, 59***, GERMANY

€1999

Gibson The Paul I Walnut 1978 Eine "The Paul" aus dem ersten Produktionsjahr. Diese Gitarre erregte damals einiges Aufsehen durch das aufs Wesentliche reduzierte "Back to Basic" Design und besticht auch heute noch mit ihrer schlichten Eleganz Made in USA, Baujahr: 1978
Korpus und Hals bestehen aus Walnuss-Holz
Der Hals vermittelt ein sehr angenehmes Spielgefühl mit niedriger Saitenlage. Recht breit, mittleres Profil, 12" Griffbrett-Radius, Grover Tuner. Das Griffbrett besteht aus ... more
eBay logo
Pre-Owned Gibson The Paul 1978 Original Model Inc Hard Case

Pre-Owned Gibson 'The Paul' 1978 Original Model Inc Hard Case

Liverpool, L24***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1400

Professional Music Technology
About
Contact
GUITAR BASS DRUMS / PERCUSSION KEYS PA / LIVE STUDIO / RECORDING DJ / PRODUCER INSTRUMENTS PRE-LOVED Pre-Owned Gibson 'The Paul' 1978 Original Model Inc Hard Case
------------------------------------Pre-Owned Status: Please note, due to some previous use this item has been given our 'Pre-Owned' status - meaning that we've checked it over and ... more
eBay logo

Find more Gibson The Paul at vintageguitarsforsale.co

There are 1 comments on this page so far. Add your comment

Comment on this article

Name
Email address
Anti-spam question - to catch web robots
How many legs does a spider have?
Guitar Dude Comment left 25th July 2019 17:05:54 reply
I bet when this article was written the author had no idea that Gibson would reissue this model. I have not played the RIs but I am a fan of the originals. Something about single cut flat top Gibsons I really dig.

Contact
info@vintageguitarandbass.com

mailing list

Follow

Facebook  Instagram  YouTube

Other Great Sites

Recent posts on vintage guitar and bass

1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1961 Hofner Colorama I

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

1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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

1960 Hofner Colorama II

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

1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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

1981 Gibson Marauder

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

1971 'Pick Epiphone' Catalog

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

1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

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

1970s Shaftesbury 3263 bass

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

1961 Hohner Zambesi

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

1963 Vox Super Ace

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

1966 Vox New Escort

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

1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

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

1973 Eko Ranger Folk

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

1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

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

1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

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

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

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

1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

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

1972 Fender Precision bass

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

1967 Vox Stroller

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

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

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

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

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

1959 Hofner Committee

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

1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean

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

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

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

Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends

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

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

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

1965 Hofner President

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

1963 1964 Fender catalog

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