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GIBSON | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Gibson advertisement (1953)

Gibson Les Paul Model

Gibson Les Paul Standard

It's a sensation! This very early advertisement for the Les Paul Model (latterly known as the Les Paul Standard) features Les Paul himself playing the gold-topped P90 equipped guitar

Designed by Les Paul - produced by Gibson - and enthusiastically approved by top guitarists everywhere. The Les Paul model is a unique and exciting innovation in the fretted instrument field; you have to see and hear it to appreciate the wonderful features and unusual tone of this newest Gibson guitar

Gibson advertisement (1953) Gibson Les Paul Model

Other related vintage advertisements

Gibson Les Paul Standard - They
Gibson Les Paul Standard - They're Tops... Les Paul, Mary Ford and their Gibsons
Very early advert for the Les Paul Guitar. This was only a year after the models introduction, and at this point, the instrument was simply called the Les Paul model
Gibson Les Paul Standard - Les Paul Says: It
Gibson Les Paul Standard - Les Paul Says: It's Gibson
A most important part of our recording equipment This interesting mid-fifties advert shows Les Paul at work recording guitar with his wife Mary Ford looking on. The advert shows the original gold-t...
Gibson Les Paul Standard - Daddy of
Gibson Les Paul Standard - Daddy of 'em All
1969 advert for the two re-released Les Paul models, the Custom and the Standard

Les Paul may not have invented amplified music, but he perfected it almost single-handed. He started a revolu...
Gibson Les Paul Standard - The Most Les
Gibson Les Paul Standard - The Most Les
"Les Paul's silver anniversary is your golden opportunity". Advert for the 25th anniversary Les Paul guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard - Vintage Voltage. 30th Anniversary Les Paul Standard
Gibson Les Paul Standard - Vintage Voltage. 30th Anniversary Les Paul Standard
An advertisement for a short-lived limited edition model to celebrate 30 years of Les Paul's work with Gibson guitars

The shape of '52 that shattered all the molds; the classic gold top, The...
Gibson Les Paul Standard - American-made. World-played.
Gibson Les Paul Standard - American-made. World-played.
This advertisement was widely used circa 1982-1984. It features the American map guitar that appears on the cover of the 1983 Gibson catalogue, alongside the ES-335 dot, and Les Paul Standard.

2025 Vintage Guitar price guide 2025 Vintage Guitar price guide

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Vintage guitar parts for sale

Gibson Les Paul

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Gibson Custom M2M 1968 Les Paul Custom Figured Gloss Guitar Burst 19788131343 OB

Gibson Custom M2M 1968 Les Paul Custom Figured Gloss Guitar Burst 19788131343 OB

Kansas City, Missouri, 641**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5375

... more
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Vintage 1950s Gibson Kluson Strip Tuners - Single Line - Les Paul Junior, ES125

Vintage 1950's Gibson Kluson Strip Tuners - Single Line - Les Paul Junior, ES125

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

$275

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A completely original and fantastic
Vintage 1959 Gibson / Kluson "single line" Strip Tuner Set
Correct for your late 50's Vintage Les Paul Junior or Special
Also correct for the ES-125, LG acoustic and many others!
This set has a HEAVY patina but is in great working condition. Perfect for that road-dog Special or Junior that is heavy worn. You can't beat the look of real world decades old aging! All original... more
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1985 Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard Wine Red Tim Shaw Pickups 1980s USA

1985 Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard Wine Red Tim Shaw Pickups 1980's USA

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

$3997

For Sale: 1985 Gibson Les Paul Standard ?? Wine Red ?? Original Tim Shaw Pickups ?? Vintage USA
Classic ?80s Les Paul tone ?? Original pickups ?? Honest wear & excellent playability
Up for sale is a 1985 Gibson Les Paul Standard in a beautiful Wine Red finish, loaded with original Tim Shaw humbuckers and 1985-dated CTS pots. This is a real deal vintage Les Paul from Gibson??s Norlin-era tail end, with the tone and feel that define the decade
The guitar is in very good working ... more
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Vintage 1962 Gibson Centralab Pot 500k Les Paul SG Custom ES-335 ES-345 1963

Vintage 1962 Gibson Centralab Pot 500k Les Paul SG Custom ES-335 ES-345 1963

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

$245

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic and original
1962 Gibson / Centralab 500k pot
Excellent condition and vintage tone!
Date codes of 1346244 (44th week of 1962)
Correct for a host of vintage Gibsons including a 1962 ES-335, SG Standard or Custom
Nothing sounds like these vintage pots
Also amazing when installed in a new R9 or Relic!
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE... more
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vintage 1959 Gibson M69 pickup rings for paf humbuckers Les paul L5 es 175 335 L

vintage 1959 Gibson M69 pickup rings for paf humbuckers Les paul L5 es 175 335 L

Smithfield, Rhode Island, 029**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$349



from RetroGuitarParts vintage guitars + parts.
archtop and jazz specialist!
click on "see other items" to check out our many new Gibson USA parts!
Includes all the original parts shown
Two 1959 Gibson M-69 pickup rings for arched top (such as Les Paul, es 335, L5ces, etc), with original 8 black mounting screws in two heights, and 4 original springs. Rings are marked numbers 7 (neck) and 8 (bridge)
Springs have that white corrosion patina we love to ... more
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1973 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe cool Tobacco Sunburst from its 1st & only owner.

1973 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe cool Tobacco Sunburst from its 1st & only owner.

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

$4995

This is a very cool all original 1 owner 1973 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe made in this beautiful Tobacco Sunburst finish. It is clean overall & has a powerful set of Mini Humbuckers that kick ass for sure. Its got a nice feeling mahogany neck. Its Kluson tuners replaced w / Schallers. Its tun-a-matic bridge work really well. This is a very cool 52 year old Les Paul owned by Mr. Bob Stange from new. He replaced the inside pots & wiring w / a modern harness & kept its original stuff inside ... more
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Gibson Les Paul, The Paul, original from 1979, Walnut, Ebony Fretboard!

Gibson Les Paul, The Paul, original from 1979, Walnut, Ebony Fretboard!

Dallas, Texas, 752**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1950

The Paul is a very cool Gibson and this one has not been modified, refinished or repaired and all of the original parts are intact! There are no gouges or massive wear; it only has a few very minor blemishes for a 46-year-old guitar that has been loved. See pictures. It has an ebony fretboard and comes with the pictured hardshell case. Only 7 8 pounds!
Just do it. Treat yourself to a killer original vintage Gibson Les Paul!
Sold as-is without return so review pictures carefully and ask ... more
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Vintage Gibson Brass Case Badge Cali Girl Burst Goldtop Les Paul Standard 1959 !

Vintage Gibson Brass Case Badge Cali Girl Burst Goldtop Les Paul Standard 1959 !

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

$95

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic and original
Vintage 1950's Gibson / Lifton Case Badge
Very nice original condition and correct for the restoration of your 1950's or 1960's Gibson Case.
This includes one of the small brad nails for mounting!
Get it back to stock, get it VINTAGE CORRECT
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE
Check our feedback and bid with confidence.... more
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Vintage Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Sunburst 1980

Vintage Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Sunburst 1980

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3499


Vintage Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Sunburst 1980
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
A badass looking Deluxe with the attitude to match! Killer looks & authentic vintage vibe make this one a must-have in anyone's Les Paul collection. Professionally set up with fresh strings & low action so it's ready to hit the stage straight out of the case!
Cosmetic Condition: Various nicks, chips, dents & dings; scratches & some finish wear. Overall ... more
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Vintage Gibson Brass Case Badge Cali Girl Burst Goldtop Les Paul Standard 1959

Vintage Gibson Brass Case Badge Cali Girl Burst Goldtop Les Paul Standard 1959

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

$95

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic and original
Vintage 1950's Gibson / Lifton Case Badge
Very nice original condition and correct for the restoration of your 1950's or 1960's Gibson Case.
Get it back to stock, get it VINTAGE CORRECT
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE
Check our feedback and bid with confidence.... more
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Emerson Custom Prewired Kit for Gibson Les Paul Junior

Emerson Custom Prewired Kit for Gibson Les Paul Junior

US, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$131

Emerson Custom Prewired Kit for Gibson Les Paul Junior
Product Details
Item Weight: 5 4 ounces Product Dimensions: 5 7 x 3 45 x 3 35 inches Item model number: EC-LP-BB-JR Date First Available: September 30, 2015 Material Type: Paper Prewired Kit with 2 Emerson Custom CTS 500k Pots Emerson Bumblebee Capacit Output Jack
Upgrade ... more
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2022 Gibson GEMINI 1959 Les Paul replica Murphy Lab PROTOTYPE #1 BOTB  page 116

2022 Gibson GEMINI 1959 Les Paul replica Murphy Lab PROTOTYPE #1 BOTB page 116

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

$24900


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 2022 Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab Ultra Heavy Aged replica of the "Gemini" 1959 Les Paul seen on page 116 + 117 in the Beauty of the Burst book. This is Prototype #1 with its certificate of authenticity. The top is highly figured and the fretboard is BR. The original hardshell case is also included. The weight is 9 lbs. 1 oz
We are happy to ship internationally
... more
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1993 Gibson Les Paul Standard Vintage Sunburst w /  490R / 498T & Case

1993 Gibson Les Paul Standard Vintage Sunburst w / 490R / 498T & Case

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

$2800

Up for sale, a 1993 Gibson Les Paul Standard in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. 100% original save for a set of properly spec'd Kluson tuning machines, this Les Paul was produced during what is increasingly known as the "Good Wood Era, " featuring traditional tonewoods including a mahogany body with a carved two-piece maple top, one-piece mahogany neck, and a bound rosewood fretboard
Via the original 490R and 498T humbucker pair, the guitar has plenty of ... more
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all original 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst CLEAN w / papers!!!

all original 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst CLEAN w / papers!!!

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

$6490


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom in its original brilliant Cherry Sunburst finish. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original and 100% complete along with its original hardshell case and papers including the warranty card with a matching serial number. It's in EXCELLENT condition with some gold worn off the edges of the bridge + tailpiece and other extremely minor cosmetic wear. Everything remains... more
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1970s - 80s GIBSON Guitar Tuners SG Dove Les Paul RD Standard Custom L6-S

1970's - 80's GIBSON Guitar Tuners SG Dove Les Paul RD Standard Custom L6-S

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

$250

These are the Schaller made Gibson logo tuners that were used on many Gibson guitar models during the 1970's and into the early 80's. They're chrome plated. These have minor wear and a little bit of pitting but they're cleaner than most I've seen. Original screws, washers and bushings included.
7 % sales tax will be added to all items shipped inside the state of Florida. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a ... more
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1958 Gibson Les Paul  /  ES  Bonnet Knobs

1958 Gibson Les Paul / ES Bonnet Knobs

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

$525

For sale:

1957-60 Gibson Gold Bonnet knobs
Perfect for your ES or LP from the golden years
These come from a smoke free home and they are in fantastic condition 

... more
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Rare ~ 1979 ~ Gibson Les Paul KM (Kalamazoo) ~ Tobacco Burst ~  1 Owner ~ All Original

Rare ~ 1979 ~ Gibson Les Paul KM (Kalamazoo) ~ Tobacco Burst ~ 1 Owner ~ All Original

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

$7500

I bought this Les Paul in Nov of 1980 from Rainbow guitars in Tucson Arizona. Ive had it all these years and have enjoyed playing it off and on. Its only been played at home and Ive taken care with it and its always stored in its case. It has all the original components, knobs, T-Top pickups etc. The only thing that has been replaced is the strings. Its been professionally set up and adjusted a couple of times. Everything else is as it left the Kalamazoo factory in 1979. It has the original ... more
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1985 Gibson Les Paul Invader Black Olive Finish

1985 Gibson Les Paul Invader Black Olive Finish

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

$1195

1985 Gibson Les Paul Invader Black Olive Finish
This Guitar Is Located At Our IVG Burbank Store
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Finish Shows Some Cosmetic Playwear Including Minor Marks, Dings, And Scratches Throughout
Kahler Flyer Tremolo System Included But We're Not 100% It's Gibson Factory Installed
Pickups Were Replaced With EMGs
Tuners Were Upgraded To Matching Black Grovers
Alder Body
Maple Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard And Dot ... more
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gibson les paul

gibson les paul

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

$16500

For sale is an insane Murphy Lab "Greeny"
Hands down , this guitar is absolutely incredible - seriously. One of the best Les Pauls I have ever played
The pickups are insane , middle position is super fun and out of phase
The neck is the perfect carve IMOP
The Murphy Lab knocked it out of the park on these guitars. Nailed the ageing and feel
This is a no issue example priced lower than any other available
Comes housed in its original aged Lifton case with ALL the hang tags... more
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1978 Vintage Gibson Les Paul

1978 Vintage Gibson Les Paul

Everett, Washington, 982**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

1978 Gibson Les Paul in Excellent Condition. It was converted from an LP Deluxe (Mini Humbuckers) to an LP Standard with the addition of a pairs of Gibson Burstbucker 2 humbuckers and upgraded CTS pots and vintage Westcap paper-in-oil tone caps) The tuners are original. The frets have lots of life left, which makes sense when you see the excellent cosmetic condition of the rest of the guitar. This is a great player with killer tone. Non original hardshell case included. Let me know if you have ... more
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Find more Gibson Les Paul 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