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
ACOUSTIC | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Acoustic advertisement (1969)

Meet Our Friends - Albert King and Chuck Berry

Acoustic Amplifiers

Another in Acoustics 'meet our friends' series of adverts. In the late 1960s most Acoustic amplifier advertisements featured a musician/band using their equipment in a live performance - in this case blues musicians Albert King and Chuck Berry - see the other vintage adverts on this site for more examples

They've got the blues. Get the blues from your acoustic dealer

More

    Acoustic advertisement (1969) Meet Our Friends - Albert King and Chuck Berry

    Other related vintage advertisements

    Acoustic Amplifiers - Meet Our Friends - The Spirit
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Meet Our Friends - The Spirit
    Great sixties ad showing the band Spirit on stage with Acoustic amplifiers
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Meet Our Friends - Blind Faith
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Meet Our Friends - Blind Faith
    Sixties ad for Acoustic amplifiers featuring Blind Faith on stage with Acoustic amplifiers. From Left to right: Steve Winwood, Ric Grech, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Meet Our Friends.... The Chambers Brothers
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Meet Our Friends.... The Chambers Brothers
    1969 advertisement for Acoustic amplifiers, featuring the Chambers Brothers. From left to right:George Chambers (Gibson Thunderbird bass), Lester Chambers, Brian Keenan, George Chambers, Willie Cha...
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Acoustic Can Offer Unlimited Sound To Infinite Capacity
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Acoustic Can Offer Unlimited Sound To Infinite Capacity
    A very simple advertisement for acoustic amplification - and the first not to feature a big name musician of the time
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Acoustic
    Acoustic Amplifiers - Acoustic's Just Invented The PA System
    1970 acoustic advertisement for acoustic PA systems. Very short and to the point.

    Acoustic

    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 Silvertone Archtop Acoustic Guitar USA Made

    Vintage Silvertone Archtop Acoustic Guitar USA Made

    Fairdealing, Missouri, 639**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $149

    Vintage Silvertone. Looks complete
    Needs a neck reset or play slide
    This instrument is over 70 years old and shows the cosmetic wear you??d expect from a well-preserved vintage guitar:
       ??   Finish checking, edge wear, and patina throughout. See pic of bottom where paint is peeling
       ??   Tuners show oxidation but still turn
       ??   Bridge is solid
    Typical for this era: neck angle is high, and action is elevated ?? a neck reset would be needed for ... more
    eBay logo
    RARE VTG EXQUISITE GUILD G-37 BLD ACOUSTIC DREADNOUGHT GUITAR IN HARDSHELL CASE

    RARE VTG EXQUISITE GUILD G-37 BLD ACOUSTIC DREADNOUGHT GUITAR IN HARDSHELL CASE

    Titusville, Florida, 327**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $4850

    The rare vintage Guild G-37 BLD acoustic dreadnought guitar is a true find for enthusiasts and collectors alike. Crafted in the United States, this iconic instrument features a 6-string configuration and is designed for right-handed players. Its blonde body color and hardshell case make it a standout piece, perfect for anyone seeking to add a classic touch to their guitar collection. This guitar is in immaculate condition and was probably only played less than a handful of times its entire life.... more
    eBay logo
    Cort Essence Series ES-GA4 Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic Electric Guitar,

    Cort Essence Series ES-GA4 Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic Electric Guitar,

    US, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $500

    ebay Listing Template Pineville Music Cort Essence Series ES-GA4 Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic Electric Guitar, Product ... more
    eBay logo
    Aria Model 792 Acoustic Guitar Made in Japan

    Aria Model 792 Acoustic Guitar Made in Japan

    Dobbs Ferry, New York, 105**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $500

    For sale this Aria Model 792 Acoustic Guitar Made in Japan that has the neck joint slightly lifting. The wood has a very sweet sound, BEAUTIFUL. This guitar is for someone who knows how to fix it or wants it because of its sweet mexican sound
    If you ever need something extra included with your purchase, please let us know before shipping
    We are THE MUZIC STORE INC in Dobbs Ferry, New York! ??
    Westchester County and New York State legendary music shop, Family-owned and operated since ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage Sigma by Martin DR-7 Acoustic Guitar 1970s

    Vintage Sigma by Martin DR-7 Acoustic Guitar 1970's

    Schenectady, New York, 123**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $300

    The Vintage Sigma by Martin DR-7 Acoustic Guitar from the 1970's is a classic piece of musical equipment known for its high-quality craftsmanship and timeless design. With a dreadnought body shape, rich brown color, and rosewood neck and fretboard, this guitar exudes a vintage charm that is perfect for any guitarist looking for a unique and authentic sound. Made in Japan, this acoustic guitar features 20 frets, a 6-string configuration, and is designed for right-handed players. With its long ... more
    eBay logo
    Yamaha FG400D - Natural Japan Acoustic Guitar

    Yamaha FG400D - Natural Japan Acoustic Guitar

    Huntington, Indiana, 467**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $399

    For sale is a Yamaha FG400D - Natural Japan Acoustic Guitar in Good Condition!
    Guitar has been cleaned and restrung and plays with low action!
    Stickers left a difference in the finish color
    Case: Hard
    Scale Length: 25 "
    Nut Width: 1 73 "
    Frets Remaining: 9 5 / 10
    Action at 12F (6th): 5 / 64 "
    Action at 12F (1st): 4 / 64 "
    Overall Condition: 7 / 10
    Sound Factor: 11 out of 10


    USA Seller, check my feedback to see how I value my customers ... more
    eBay logo
    passac ec-1 acoustic guitar preamp and eq,  1980s

    passac ec-1 acoustic guitar preamp and eq, 1980's

    Palmdale, California, 935**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $60

    passac ec-1 acoustic guitar preamp and eq, 1980's... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage Aria AK-30 Acoustic Guitar (Read Description)

    Vintage Aria AK-30 Acoustic Guitar (Read Description)

    Wendell, Minnesota, 565**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $75

    Vintage Aria AK-30 Acoustic Guitar. Item is in Playable condition after it's been restrung but does have a some condition issues. This can all be seen in the photos. Please look closely and if you have any questions feel free to ask
    ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage VENTURA BRUNO Classical Acoustic Guitar. V-1583 Parts Repair

    Vintage VENTURA BRUNO Classical Acoustic Guitar. V-1583 Parts Repair

    Ridgewood, New Jersey, 074**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $195


    I have for sale a vintage Ventura Bruno acoustic guitar
    The model is V-1583
    It is offered as parts or repair. So I'm selling it AS IS
    It is missing the bridge and strings
    It is an estate find from a musician's house
    There may be a long hairline crack on the sound board. But I'm not sure. Please see last photo
    Approximate dimensions are: 39 1 / 8" long, 13 3 / 4" wideThe body is about 4" deep
    This is a well made, high quality musical instrument
    Thanks for ... more
    eBay logo
    vintage 1960s KAY N-14 Archtop 6 string acoustic electric Guitar sunburst

    vintage 1960's KAY N-14 Archtop 6 string acoustic electric Guitar sunburst

    Clifton, Kansas, 669**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $400

    I don't know anything about guitars they was alot of interest in this at auction so i bought it don't have a case so will ship in a large box with lots of bubble wrap. The vintage 1960's KAY N-14 Archtop 6 string acoustic electric Guitar in sunburst is a rare and collectible piece for any musician or vintage guitar enthusiast. This United States-made instrument features an archtop soundboard style, classic 6 string configuration, and the iconic Kay brand, making it a sought-after addition to any... more
    eBay logo
    Ibanez  V390 Tree of Life Vintage Series Acoustic Guitar w /  Hard Case   Nice

    Ibanez V390 Tree of Life Vintage Series Acoustic Guitar w / Hard Case Nice

    Norman, Oklahoma, 730**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $1200

    Here for sale is a rare1979 Ibanez model V390 acoustic 6-string guitar in very nice cosmetic and functional condition. All original. Top of the line of the Vintage Deluxe series. Hand made in Japan. Lots of info about this model at Ibanez Wiki Fandom. Plays well and easily. Looks to be all original with no past repairs and none needed. Has some dings on the top below the bridge and some play wear around the sound hole. Has scratches and nicks as per what you would expect of a guitar 45 years old... more
    eBay logo
    1950s VINTAGE SILVERTONE DAMAGED ARCHTOP HOLLOW BODY ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND CASE

    1950's VINTAGE SILVERTONE DAMAGED ARCHTOP HOLLOW BODY ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND CASE

    Bowling Green, Kentucky, 421**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $499

    The product is a vintage Silvertone / Harmony archtop hollow body acoustic guitar from the 1950s, featuring a mahogany body with a sunburst color and a maple neck. This right-handed guitar has a 6-string configuration, with 19 frets on a rosewood fretboard. Made in the United States, this classic acoustic guitar comes with a case for added protection and storage. Perfect for vintage guitar enthusiasts and collectors, this Harmony archtop hollow body acoustic guitar combines timeless design and ... more
    eBay logo
    VTG 1960 / 70s Greco GR 122 6 string Acoustic Guitar w / case needs strings

    VTG 1960 / 70s Greco GR 122 6 string Acoustic Guitar w / case needs strings

    Maquoketa, Iowa, 520**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $250

    This is a very cool vintage late 1960s-1970s Greco GR-122 6-string Acoustic Guitar, probably made in Japan. It has a classical body, no pick guard, in a rich natural beige color, 19 frets and very few dings or imperfections. It does needs new strings.
    It was played for only a few months after it was first purchased with no visible damage from that handling beside small surface scratches and imperfections, as shown. It sat in its case in a dark closet for 50 or so years  
    The guitar ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage Japan Conqueror Acoustic Classic Guitar - Project  #R5005

    Vintage Japan Conqueror Acoustic Classic Guitar - Project #R5005

    Pleasant Hill, Missouri, 640**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $70


    FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
    SINCE 2007
    SAME DAY SHIPPING
    ORDERS PLACED BEFORE 12PM CST (M-F)
    30 DAY RETURN POLICY
    WE WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY
    Condition Specifics
    Finish cracks on front and back. Minor amount of neck heel separation from body. Action is high. No case or gig bag included

    Shipping
    Orders are shipped worldwide via UPS and USPS with tracking information included. Our centralized Midwest location and our same... more
    eBay logo
    1952 Martin 00-17 acoustic guitar

    1952 Martin 00-17 acoustic guitar

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

    $6495

    1952 Martin 00-17, All Mahogany body, Tortoise pickguard, Lovely warm tonality, Has had a neck reset, Ready to enjoy, Gorgeous guitar, Truly a fantastic model, VG++, Newer hard case
    ... more
    eBay logo
    Vintage Montclair N5 Kay Archtop Acoustic Guitar w /  Case

    Vintage Montclair N5 Kay Archtop Acoustic Guitar w / Case

    Oswego, Illinois, 605**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $300



    this has a home-done repair & spray painted neck, some overspray on the tuners. The repair isn't terrible. The bridge isn't great, and the action is a bit high. The fret markers are stickers that have been lacquered over
    Any questions, please feel free to contact us!
    Great item by DeMont Guitars!
    Returns not accepted from overseas and buyer should assume item is 'as-is' please feel free to ask any and all questions prior to auction end. Please email if you plan on bidder, ... more
    eBay logo
    Conn F-20 1973 - M I.J.  Acoustic guitar with Dean Markley P / U E / C

    Conn F-20 1973 - M I.J. Acoustic guitar with Dean Markley P / U E / C

    Eastlake, Ohio, 440**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $395

    1973 Conn F-20 acoustic guitar, spruce top and flamed maple and sides in excellent condition. It has a Dean Markley pick-up in the sound hole and thee input jack is on the side of the body where an input jack normally goes. This guitar as made in Japan in 1973 either by Tokai-Gakki factory or the Matsumoku and AraI factory. To my knowledge I believe it was the Tokai-Gakki factory that built this model. The action is almost perfect on this guitar and it really has an amazing sound, you will not ... more
    eBay logo
    APPLAUSE Acoustic Guitar late 1970s Ovation company Kaman incredible sounding

    APPLAUSE Acoustic Guitar late 1970's Ovation company Kaman incredible sounding

    Medford, Oregon, 975**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    $140

    The APPLAUSE Acoustic Guitar, made by Ovation in the late 1970s under the Kaman brand, is known for its incredible sound quality. This vintage guitar has a unique design and is part of the Applause series, known for its high-quality craftsmanship. With a 6-string configuration and a sleek body color, this guitar is a must-have for any guitarist looking for a classic and exceptional sounding instrument from the 1970s.... more
    eBay logo
    Harmony H8344 Flat Top Acoustic 1960s - Red Sunburst

    Harmony H8344 Flat Top Acoustic 1960s - Red Sunburst

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

    $699

    Here we have a neat old Harmony acoustic guitar! This one appears to be from the 1960s and is stamped H8344 on the interior. It has a 15" lower bout width, 3 7 / 8" body depth, rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge and 14 fret neck joint. The guitar has light dings and topical scratches over its surface with a nice patina. It appears to be void of cracks or issues. It has a 1 11 / 16" nut width with a 25" scale length. The neck carve is a vintage style soft V with medium depth and not too much ... more
    eBay logo
    Silvertone s64-h Acoustic Guitar circa 1960s - Sunburst - seen better days

    Silvertone s64-h Acoustic Guitar circa 1960s - Sunburst - seen better days

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

    $229

    Silvertone s64-h. See photos
    I think this is s64h and I show a photo of that. Sort of hard to tell for sure.
    This has a good ding / hole on back with missing wood. It feels fairly intact. Strings are not hight at the nut but as you move towards 12th fret the do get higher. I have it tuned open tuning for slide.
    Sold as seen in photos and video AS IS. NO RETURNS
    Thanks for looking.
    Frazier - smalltownmusic dot com
    #storage rm or remote studio (in Kay case) silvertone ... more
    eBay logo

    Find more Acoustic 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