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 (1980)

It's got to be about the best tranny amp I've ever heard – damn it, it's got to be one of the best apps I've heard, tranny or not!

Gibson Lab Series L5 amplifier, Gibson Lab Series L7 amplifier

This 1980 advert for the Lab Series amplifier range was published in Guitar Player in 1980, and is made up of quotes by Gary Cooper (who proffered the title), Alan Holdsworth, and Whitesnake's Bernie Marsden.

Alan Holdsworth: My curiosity about amplifiers is unlimited. Having tried Lab Series, I now use a pair of L5 combos as part of my stage set up; they're DEMONS!
They deliver a really good clean sound and the tone controls are very flexible. They can also handle a very strong single notes sound, which in the past I found to be very elusive.

Bernie Marsden: I've had transistor amps before, but I've never thought of using one on stage until the Lab Series came along. I must admit I was really surprised; they changed my preconceived idea of a transistor amp. What is different about them is that all those controls - every one of them actually does something. Most amps you see have got seven or eight knobs, but the only ones that actually work are volume and treble. But with these, the frequency, mid range, multi filter – they're a piece of work really!

Gibson advertisement (1980) It

Other related vintage advertisements

Gibson Lab Series L5 - A new instrumental album featuring a man, his guitar, and our amplifier
Gibson Lab Series L5 - A new instrumental album featuring a man, his guitar, and our amplifier
One of the earliest publicity pieces for the Lab Series amplifiers placed in mid 1978. Unlike the majority of adverts for these amplifiers to follow, this one is short on text, letting the images d...
Gibson Lab Series L5 - LAB Series
Gibson Lab Series L5 - LAB Series
June 1978 advertisement for the Lab Series amplifier range, picturing the 2x12" Lab Series L5 combo.
Gibson Lab Series L5 - Employment Assurance
Gibson Lab Series L5 - Employment Assurance
"Whether you're a star, a sideman, a session player, or a serious student, the Lab Series works"
Gibson Lab Series L5 - Try my sound.. See if you like it!
Gibson Lab Series L5 - Try my sound.. See if you like it!
This interesting advert from June 1980 features Jimmy Messina and the Lab Series L5. Like many of the other Lab Series ads, it includes quotes from the artist describing the amp, but also gives one...
Gibson Lab Series L7 - Lab Series. They
Gibson Lab Series L7 - Lab Series. They've never sounded so good
December 1980 United Kingdom advert for the Lab Series amplifiers - available at a big discount due to the favourable exchange rate. Models listed are the: L2 (100w 1x15" bass head/cabinet), L3 (60...
Gibson Lab Series L5 - "My Lab Series amp takes all the bumps, and still gives a smooth performance."
Gibson Lab Series L5 - "My Lab Series amp takes all the bumps, and still gives a smooth performance."
This Lab Series advert featuring bluesman B.B. King and his L5 appeared in Guitar Player magazine in May and August 1981 - just one of many 'artist' adverts for the amp line. King's bassplayer, Joe...

2025 Vintage Guitar price guide 2025 Vintage Guitar price guide

Need the value of your guitar? The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2025 is out now: Amazon


Vintage guitar parts for sale

Gibson Lab Series L5, Gibson Lab Series L7

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.
Gibson Vintage 1919 A-3 "White Ivory Top" Mandolin -Headstock Repair  w / OHSC

Gibson Vintage 1919 A-3 "White Ivory Top" Mandolin -Headstock Repair w / OHSC

Huntington Station, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2099

Here we have a vintage Gibson A3 "White Ivory Top" A- style Mandolin. Made in Kalamazoo, M, I USA in 1919. This is a "player grade" vintage mandolin. The A3 with the Ivory tops were produced between 1918-1920. The Serial number looks to be 52728 which would put it at 1919. This mandolin has had a headstock repair. When we received this instrument, there was an older repaired crack. It was somewhat solid but we thought, why not make it as solid as it can be. We had the repair done ... more
eBay logo
Gibson EM-150 Electric Mandolin 1950s w /  worn Case

Gibson EM-150 Electric Mandolin 1950s w / worn Case

Lynchburg, Virginia, 245**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

Up for sale is a
Gibson EM-150 Electric Mandolin 1950s w / worn Case
We stand behind everything we do 100%. Please ask us any question. Everything (and only the items pictured) are included in the listing. If you run into any issues what so ever please let us know
If you are going to pick the item up at our store please mark the item as "local pick-up" when paying.
Items purchased Friday evening after 3:00pm Eastern Time, And On Saturday and Sunday will be shipped out on Monday. ... more
eBay logo
1972 Gibson SG Deluxe Guitar

1972 Gibson SG Deluxe Guitar

Lynchburg, Virginia, 245**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3300

Up for sale is a
1972 Gibson SG Deluxe Guitar- Rare
We stand behind everything we do 100%. Please ask us any question. Everything (and only the items pictured) are included in the listing. If you run into any issues what so ever please let us know
If you are going to pick the item up at our store please mark the item as "local pick-up" when paying.
Items purchased Friday evening after 3:00pm Eastern Time, And On Saturday and Sunday will be shipped out on Monday. (Unless that Monday... more
eBay logo
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 1974 Cherry Red -Neck repair- Resprayed 9lbs 11oz w / OHSC

Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 1974 Cherry Red -Neck repair- Resprayed 9lbs 11oz w / OHSC

Huntington Station, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2999

Here we have a vintage Gibson Les Paul Deluxe guitar. Made in the USA in 1974. Norlin era. Cherry Red Translucent finish. Last year of the Mahogany neck. Pancake Mahogany body, and a Rosewood fingerboard. This guitar came to us with a neck crack, not a headstock break. The neck was cracked from under the nut to the middle of the second fret. There are photos in the listing showing how it looked. We then had the neck glued, clamped, and resprayed. The back of the neck was sprayed from ... more
eBay logo
c. 1942 Gibson J-50 Jumbo Acoustic Banner Logo Refinished Sunburst w / HSC

c. 1942 Gibson J-50 Jumbo Acoustic Banner Logo Refinished Sunburst w / HSC

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

$7495

Circa 1942 Gibson J-50 Banner Logo
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Fair Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Notable Cosmetic Play Wear Visible Throughout Including Various Dings, Marks, And Scratches
Amateur Lacquer Top Refinish In 2-Tone Sunburst With Additional Overspray Throughout
Professional Neck Reset
Slight Oversanding Around Back Of Headstock
Cleated Side Cracks On Treble Side Upper Bout
Repaired Top Cracks Behind Bridge And Near Pickguard ... more
eBay logo
1975 Original Gibson Custom Order & Electric Acoustic Series-12 pg-Brochure-MINT

1975 Original Gibson Custom Order & Electric Acoustic Series-12 pg-Brochure-MINT

Fairport, New York, 144**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$35


This is the original 1975 GIBSON CUSTOM ORDER & ELECTRIC ACOUSTIC SERIES 12 page brochure - from 46 years ago!MINT CONDITION!!!Cover picture of Howard RobertsThis brochure includes pictures and info on:CITATIONSUPER 400CL-5CJOHNNY SMITHSUPER 400CESHOWARD ROBERTSBYRDLANDES175DL5CESES-150DCEnlarge the pictures for greater detail
All the items I list are from my personal collection. Over the years I've acquired many music related pieces. The time has come to sell all the gems that I ... more
eBay logo
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 1963 Firebird Inverness Green With Case

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 1963 Firebird Inverness Green With Case

Waterford, Michigan, 483**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$899

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 1963 Firebird in Inverness Green is an electric guitar modeled after the iconic Gibson Firebird model from 1963. This guitar features a classic design with modern updates, making it a versatile and stylish option for musicians. With a case included, this guitar provides added protection and convenience for players on the go. Perfect for fans of vintage Gibson models, the Epiphone Firebird offers high-quality craftsmanship and a unique sound that sets it apart from... more
eBay logo
"Strad-O-Lin" Vintage Guitar, Gibson Copy  Needs Repair Made In Taiwan 1960s?

"Strad-O-Lin" Vintage Guitar, Gibson Copy Needs Repair Made In Taiwan 1960's?

Denver, Colorado, 802**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$75

Well used and probably loved by whoever wore the pickguard out .
Looks like the Gibson guitar well known as the hummingbird. Has a crack in the rear upper right as pictured. Bridge reglued a little off as pictured. Plays fine with a bigger sound then it looks. A well loved guitar, vintage and not ready for the scrap yard imo. please review all pictures. There appears to be no truss rod.... more
eBay logo
Original Vintage Case for a 1920s Gibson TB-1 Tenor Banjo

Original Vintage Case for a 1920s Gibson TB-1 Tenor Banjo

Fredericksburg, Virginia, 224**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$269

Up for sale is a vintage 1920s Gibson tenor banjo case. This case is 100 years old and looks it but all of the clasps and hinges work. The original handle has come loose but the metal is intact and it can be re-attached.... more
eBay logo
2022 Gibson 70th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Standard Murphy Lab All Gold + OHSC

2022 Gibson 70th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Standard Murphy Lab All Gold + OHSC

Thousand Oaks, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6495



2022 Gibson 70th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Standard Murphy Lab All Gold + OHSC

Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 2022 Gibson Custom Shop 70th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Standard Murphy Lab with an All Gold Finish! Do you yearn for the chunky neck of an early Les Paul? The historic accuracy of a '50s no-wire bridge? The authentic look of a case-lived Golden Era classic? The Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Gold Reissue Ultra-Light Aged is your ... more
eBay logo
1967-v Vintage Spec "Machine Gun" Gibson Humbucker Set Clone by Tone Specific.

1967-v Vintage Spec "Machine Gun" Gibson Humbucker Set Clone by Tone Specific.

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

$367

? VINTAGE SPEC 1967 HUMBUCKER ?? THE ??MACHINE GUN?? CLONE ?
Hendrix Heat. Band of Gypsys Bite. 1967 Humbucker Fury ?? Reborn
? INSPIRED BY JIMI HENDRIX??S 1967 GIBSON
If you??ve heard Machine Gun, Who Knows, or Power of Soul, you already know this sound
That snarling midrange, that vocal sustain, that fire-from-the-sky treble bite ?? it wasn??t just pedals. It was his 1967 Gibson Flying V
We reverse-engineered the real pickups from that era. This set is a forensic ... more
eBay logo
1963 Vintage Spec Gibson "Barney Kessel" Humbuckers PAT Clones Tone Specific

1963 Vintage Spec Gibson "Barney Kessel" Humbuckers PAT Clones Tone Specific

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

$300

? VINTAGE SPEC 1963 PAT Sticker HUMBUCKER ?? TONES OF BARNEY KESSEL ?
Faithfully Cloned. Expertly Voiced. Unmistakably 1963
Pre-sale auction. This set retails for $1200 but will be sold to the highest bidder. Our hopes that this goes to a player that will hep us spread the word, as opposed to a flipper looking to buy cheap and sell for a profit over on Reverb
? AS HEARD ON BARNEY KESSEL??S GIBSON
This is the pickup behind the magic
In 1963, Gibson was still making ... more
eBay logo
1960 VintageSpec Gibson "Beano" Les Paul Humbucker Clone by Tone Specific.

1960 VintageSpec Gibson "Beano" Les Paul Humbucker Clone by Tone Specific.

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

$325

? VINTAGE SPEC 1960 HUMBUCKER ?? THE ERIC CLAPTON ??BEANO?? PAF CLONE
Old School Blues. British Invasion. The Tone That Changed Everything
? INSPIRED BY ERIC CLAPTON??S 1960 ??BEANO?? LES PAUL
If you know John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, you know the tone
This is the exact sound that made Marshall amps famous and ignited the British blues explosion
Thick. Expressive. Raw in the best way. Clapton??s 1960 Les Paul delivered vocal mids, a punchy top end, and the kind ... more
eBay logo
1981 Gibson Sonex 180

1981 Gibson Sonex 180

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

$899

1981 Gibson Sonex 180 1981 Gibson Sonex 180
A very unique Les Paul like feel with the Sonex. These were one of the many experiments done in the Norlin era of gibson (1969-1987). Lot's of mojo with this one, the wear is honest and has a very cool vibe
... more
eBay logo
Vintage Gibson Flying V Plum Burst 1984

Vintage Gibson Flying V Plum Burst 1984

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499


Vintage Gibson Flying V Plum Burst 1984
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
A silky smooth player in a sexy plum burst finish, sporting a pair of creamy sounding Dirty Fingers humbuckers. Professionally set up with fresh strings & low action so it's ready to play straight out of the case
Cosmetic Condition: Various nicks, chips, dents & dings; scratches & some light weather checking. There's a crack in the treble-side wing of the body ... more
eBay logo
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
eBay logo
1973 Gibson Heritage Custom hard case included serial # A007002 MADE IN USA

1973 Gibson Heritage Custom hard case included serial # A007002 MADE IN USA

Gainesville, Florida, 326**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1999


1973 Gibson Heritage Custom hard case included serial # A007002 MADE IN USA
(Inv# TBG060809 ALG-JH)
1973 Gibson Heritage Custom hard case included serial # A007002 MADE IN USA THIS GIBSON SHOWS HEAVY SIGNS OF USE AND HAS SEVERAL SCUFFS, DINGS, BLEMISHES.
Please carefully review all photos of actual item for sale and item specifics for more details. Thank you!
Payment Policy
All payments should be received within 3 days. We accept payments through eBay and PayPal. If you do ... more
eBay logo
Gibson Firebird 1978 Magazine Article with Extras!

Gibson Firebird 1978 Magazine Article with Extras!

Beavercreek, Oregon, 970**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$70

This is not a reproduction item as its been in my personal collection over 20 years. I'm downsizing and want to pass it on to someone who will appreciate and enjoy it as I have
1978 magazine article about the Gibson Reverse Firebird. Includes full article, water slide Firebird logo, and Gibson waterslide decal
I have included a photo of the back of the ad to show that shows the year of the article. Includes 12 5" x 15 5" wooden frame in very good condition
Item will ship USPS with ... more
eBay logo
1971 Gibson Barney Kessel Archtop Guitar Cherry Sunburst

1971 Gibson Barney Kessel Archtop Guitar Cherry Sunburst

Sherman, Connecticut, 067**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4500

1971 GibsonBarney Kessel Archtop Guitar Cherry Sunburst

The Gibson Barney Kessel is asignature model guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Company. The guitarwas a signature model for the popular Jazz musician Barney Kessel but was notlargely popular and in 1974 Gibson discontinued production

The guitar is a hollow-body, making itgreat for Jazz playing. The body features a double cutaway design with a sprucetop, maple sides and back, two Humbucker pickups, a mahogany neck and... more
eBay logo
1979 Gibson G3 Grabber Bass Guitar Natural W / OHSC Key Hang Tag EXCELLENT!!

1979 Gibson G3 Grabber Bass Guitar Natural W / OHSC Key Hang Tag EXCELLENT!!

Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2600

Excellent Condition Overall With Very Little Playwear!
Note I do not glorify anything . I will describe this guitar exactly as it is, so there are no surprised upon receipt. With that being said, I'm sure you will consider it to be better than expected upon arrival .
1979 Gibson G3 Grabber Bass Guitar
Natural / Maple, NO Cracks, Breaks, Repairs Or Changes
With Its Original Gibson Hard Case, Key, Hang Tag & Warranty Card!
SN: #71319073
Weight: 9 Pounds, 11 Ounces
If ... more
eBay logo

Find more Gibson Lab Series L5, Gibson Lab Series L7 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