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GIBSON | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Gibson advertisement (1980)

Try my sound.. See if you like it!

Gibson Lab Series L5 amplifier

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 of Messina's favourite settings.

Lab Series amps give you the sound. Listen to the professionals.
Like Jimmy Messina who says: "In concert, on stage, Lab Series is the only amp I use. The setting shown above is one of my favourite Lab Series sounds. The COMPRESSOR is what makes the amp for me. Lab Series gives me the right ratio between input and output depending on the room size... and Lab Series is compact. It's perfect for small concert halls and clubs, for 45 to 5000 people. I've tried all different types of amplifiers and none of them come close to Lab Series for reproducing my recorded sounds on stage. Lab Series has the most flexible equalization for the kind of sound I need."

The advert goes on to invite musicians to submit their own settings:

Want to share your favourite Lab Series amps setting with other musicians? Send us a complete description of your favourite setting, along with the type of music you play and why you prefer the sound produced by your Lab Series amp. Your setting may be chosen for advertising and promotional purposes.

Gibson advertisement (1980) Try my sound.. See if you like 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 - It
Gibson Lab Series L5 - 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!
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 Bern...
Gibson Lab Series L5 - Lab Series. They
Gibson Lab Series L5 - 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...

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Gibson Lab Series L5

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1972 Gibson SG II Vintage Electric Guitar Walnut w /  Mini Humbuckers & Case

1972 Gibson SG II Vintage Electric Guitar Walnut w / Mini Humbuckers & Case

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

$2300

Up for sale, a 1972 Gibson SG II in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. Only produced from 1972-76, this short-lived Gibson offering was introduced as a more affordable, entry-level SG, with features including a pair of mini humbuckers, an alder body, mahogany neck, and slab Indian rosewood fretboard
The unusual Gibson tonewood complement yields a balanced, clear natural acoustic quality, and the mini humbuckers are punchy and full-sounding, with... more
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Gibson G3 Grabber

Gibson G3 Grabber

New Orleans, Louisiana, 701**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

This electric guitar is a must-have for any music enthusiast. The brand is Gibson, and the model is G3 Grabber. It's perfect for those who want a high-quality instrument to elevate their sound. The guitar is designed to provide a comfortable playing experience, with a focus on tone and performance.

The G3 Grabber is a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their guitar collection. It's a versatile instrument that can be played in a variety of musical settings. Whether ... more
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1960s GIBSON MELODY MAKER PICKUP .TESTED WORKING .#2

1960s GIBSON MELODY MAKER PICKUP .TESTED WORKING .#2

Lawrenceville, Illinois, 624**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$165

REMOVED BY ME .TESTED BY HOOKING UP TO AMP BEFORE REMOVING FROM PICKGUARD ASSEMBLY .(SEE VIDEO) THIS IS THE RTHYM PICKUP FREE SHIPPING WITH 48 STATES . NOTICE .DUE TO HEAVY SNOW STORM EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND NOTHING WILL SHIP FOR MINIMUM 7 DAYS... more
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1970 Gibson Les Paul Custom 1969 Appointments Black Beauty

1970 Gibson Les Paul Custom 1969 Appointments Black Beauty

Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13999

Just in is this killer 1970 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty
Quick Details
Weight 10lbs
Nut width 1 67 "
Depth at 1st fret 0 88 "
Depth at 12th fret 1 08 "
Just in on consignment from the family of the original owner is this beautiful 1970 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty. This Black beauty has all the transitional appointments of a 1969-70 Les Paul Custom, no "Made in USA" stamp. A three piece Mahogany neck with pancake body abr bridge with nylon saddles
The body ... more
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1985 Gibson XPL - Serious MOJO! - Dirty Finger Pickups

1985 Gibson XPL - Serious MOJO! - Dirty Finger Pickups

Dayton, Ohio, 454**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2400

For your consideration is this 1985 Gibson XPL in a Red finish. Overall the guitar is good condition but has been rocked out hard it's entire life. There are plenty of dings and legit play wear but no breaks or major issues. The Dirty Finger pickups deliverer excellent rock tone, hot and dirty! Playability is excellent with low action & no fret wear. Rocking some serious MOJO!
Comes with a nice non original hard case. (309)
Weight: 9lb 2oz | Nut: W 1 71 H .80 | 12th: W 2 05 H 0 ... more
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vintage 1961 1962 Gibson ABR1 bridge for es 355 L5 Super 400 Les Paul Custom SG

vintage 1961 1962 Gibson ABR1 bridge for es 355 L5 Super 400 Les Paul Custom SG

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

$1350


from RetroGuitarParts vintage guitars + parts.
archtop and jazz specialist!
click on "see other items" to check out our many new Gibson USA parts!
These are hard to find!! This is a 1962 wired Gibson abr1
This might be the nicest ??62 abr1 you can find! All original! Gold plate shows natural relic wear revealing nickel underplate. Saddles are original, matched, and notchedlightly on center. Screws are all matched and have the thinner type / slightlybeveled ... more
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1955 Gibson BR-9 Lap Steel - Mojotone P-90 pickup - Great Looking Lap Steel

1955 Gibson BR-9 Lap Steel - Mojotone P-90 pickup - Great Looking Lap Steel

Dayton, Ohio, 454**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$500

For your consideration is this 1955 Gibson BR-9 Lap Steel in a White finish. Overall the lapsteel is in Good condition. The Mojotone P-90 pickup delivers excellent sound across all playing styles, truly capturing the iconic tones of your favorite players. Playability is excellent with low action & no fret wear. Some items have been changed over the years: Pots, Jack, Tuners, and Pickup (Mojotone P-90)
Comes with the original case as shown. (Lap S-1)
Condition & Setup Details:
I ... more
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1950s Gibson BR-9 Lap Steel Guitar Body Vintage Project Builder

1950's Gibson BR-9 Lap Steel Guitar Body Vintage Project Builder

Plano, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$225

Wood construction, original cream finish, fine weather checking, original logo, normal vintage wear, no extra holes, good foundation for a builder, weighs 3 lbs / 6 oz, USA shipping only, thanks for looking!
... more
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1962 Gibson Falcon GA-19RVT Tube Combo Amp w / 12" Jensen, Reverb & Tremolo

1962 Gibson Falcon GA-19RVT Tube Combo Amp w / 12" Jensen, Reverb & Tremolo

Benicia, California, 945**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$795

Bring your sound to life with the 1962 Gibson Falcon GA-19RVT Tube Combo Amp! Boasting a powerful 12" Jensen speaker, reverb, and tremolo, this amp delivers dynamic tones and versatile effects. Its vintage design and authentic tube sound will elevate your performances to a whole new level
Local pickup ONLY
... more
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CJ Ramone??s 1974 Gibson Midnight Special

CJ Ramone??s 1974 Gibson Midnight Special

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

$1000

It does come autographed on the headstock at my request!!
As Described by CJ Ramone himself
1974 Gibson L6. This guitar was my #1 in my first post Ramones project, LOS GUSANOS. I toured the world with it. It has a Steve Morse DiMarzio neck pick up, and a Tone Zone DiMarzio bridge pick up. Changed out the bridge and tuners sometime in the late 90s and the pickguard was replaced a few years back (corner broke off see pictures) The neck was also refretted about that time. It has a bolt on ... more
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1972 Gibson L-5S Vintage Guitar Sunburst w /  Custom Charlie Christian & P-90

1972 Gibson L-5S Vintage Guitar Sunburst w / Custom Charlie Christian & P-90

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

$6000

Up for sale, a 1972 Gibson L-5S in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. A decidedly unique and short-lived Gibson model, the L-5S was designed as a solidbody version of Gibson??s premier L-5 archtop, presenting visually as a very elegant Les Paul Custom with a double-bound, contoured carved maple body. This particular L-5S dates to the first year of production: from 1972-74, the L-5S was outfitted with a set of Gibson??s Low Impedance ... more
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1967 Gibson ES-330 Cherry

1967 Gibson ES-330 Cherry

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

$6590


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1967 Gibson ES-330 in its original Cherry finish. It has a great playing neck with good frets. It's all original and 100% complete with the only exception being the small nut for the end of the pickguard bracket. A period correct Gibson hardshell case with a replaced handle is included. This guitar looks great with some nicks + dings, finish checking and other cosmetic wear. Everything remains structurally sound ... more
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1973 Fender Telecaster Deluxe w / Seth Lover Humbuckers (Early Gibson Tech) + OHSC

1973 Fender Telecaster Deluxe w / Seth Lover Humbuckers (Early Gibson Tech) + OHSC

Collingswood, New Jersey, 081**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7000

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Gibson Atlas IV 1X15 Bass / Guitar Vintage Speaker Cabinet 1960s

Gibson Atlas IV 1X15 Bass / Guitar Vintage Speaker Cabinet 1960's

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

$340

Vintage Atlas 115 cab. It sounds excellent for guitar or bass. Condition is as pictured.... more
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Vintage 1950s Gibson L-50 Archtop guitar

Vintage 1950s Gibson L-50 Archtop guitar

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

$1500

1950s Gibson L-50 Archtop acoustic guitar-This is an original 1950s Gibson L-50 Acoustic Archtop with all original tuners, tailpiece, bridge, inlay, logo & original (plain, uncut) pick guard. The floating pick-up is not included! (No holes drilled in face)
The frets are level, neck is straight, action is low, neck re-set & not needed, truss rod is working well, cracks have been repaired. The face has a new glossy finish which was completed by a licensed professional. The finish on ... more
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Vintage 1959 Gibson Kluson Deluxe Tuner Single Line Bass Side E-A-D  ES-330 J45

Vintage 1959 Gibson Kluson Deluxe Tuner Single Line Bass Side E-A-D ES-330 J45

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

$95

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic and completely original
Vintage Gibson / Kluson Single Line Tuner (one tuner for the Bass side (EAD strings)
Correct for your late 1950's or early 1960's Gibson ES-330, J-45 and others!
Incredibly clean tuner. Original white button in very fine shape. Gears are nice and tight and no bends to the shaft
These tuners are identical to 1950's Single Line "Burst" tuners - they just have different ... more
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GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - RARE

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - RARE

Saint Petersburg, Florida, 337**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1550

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - Serial # 81831614 - 1981 - Monday July 2nd - Nashville TN - Production # 614, beautiful guitar, professional players guitar, the case was made by Quest

... more
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1960 Gibson Les Paul Junior 100% Original

1960 Gibson Les Paul Junior 100% Original

Birmingham, Alabama, 352**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11000

This is a 1960 (I think) Les Paul Junior. The guitar is 100% original in every way, although it does have a few miles on it. The guitar has its original electronics, and all parts are original. It has had no breaks, cracks or previous repairs. It has had a recent fret dress and is ready to go. Frets are at 80%. She weighs 7 1 lbs
The only issue is At some point, it looks like some sort of paint stripper dripped on the headstock and ate through the finish in those spots. Unfortunately, it ... more
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Vintage Excelsior #151 Key NOS Fender Gibson Martin Guitar & More Case Trunk

Vintage Excelsior #151 Key NOS Fender Gibson Martin Guitar & More Case Trunk

Chino Hills, California, 917**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$48

Crafted with precision, the Vintage Excelsior #151 Key is an authentic piece of Americana from the United States. This classic key is an essential component for musicians and collectors alike, designed to unlock the rich heritage of your Martin, Fender or Gibson guitar cases, trunks and more. Whether you're looking to complete your collection or restore a vintage instrument, this key serves as a tangible connection to the past. Its unique design and craftsmanship reflect the era when every ... more
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1957 Gibson C1 Classical guitar

1957 Gibson C1 Classical guitar

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

$700

Great condition 1957 Gibson C1 Classical guitar. Minor scratches on the body. For a 68 year old guitar its in excellent shape. Recently restrung and tuned. Plays like new.... more
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1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass

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1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogue

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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

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1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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1981 Gibson Marauder

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1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

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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