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GUILD | VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

Guild advertisement (1969)

New Thunderstar Amplifier By Guild

Guild Starfire, Guild Thunderstar amplifier

Late sixties advert for the new Guild Thunderstar amp. Also features a Guild Starfire V electric guitar.
Guild's recently developed high-projection speaker system gives you a bigger, cleaner sound ... because it is housed in a specially sealed, tuned enclosure. Use ThunderStar with guitar, bass or organ. It has 2 channels (normal and tremolo), each with 2 inputs, each with own 3-position tone switch. 50 watts power, reverb and tremolo with foot switch control, provision for dolly attachment... much, much more

Guild advertisement (1969) New Thunderstar Amplifier By Guild

Other related vintage advertisements

Guild Starfire - Guild showcase for talent
Guild Starfire - Guild showcase for talent
Early 1963 Guild advertisement showcasing a number of instruments, each representing a segment of Guild's 1963 product line. The single cutaway Starfire III, archtop acoustic Stuart A-500, Mark II ...
Guild Starfire - Whatever Your Style of Playing You Will Ultimately Choose a Guild
Guild Starfire - Whatever Your Style of Playing You Will Ultimately Choose a Guild
UK advert for Guild guitars placed by British distributors Besson. Two guitars are shown, the Starfire V electric acoustic and a Guild acoustic flat top
Guild Starfire - Guild Quantum Bass Amplifier
Guild Starfire - Guild Quantum Bass Amplifier
Delivers that hard-driving, up-front, "Motown"-type sound - without going through the engineers control board
1967 add showing two members of the Blues Project; Steve Katz playing a Guild Starfi...
Guild Starfire - Big New Bird By Guild!
Guild Starfire - Big New Bird By Guild!
Late 1960s advertisement for the Guild SuperBird II 170 watt guitar/organ amplifier and Starfire V thinline electric acoustic guitar
Guild Starfire - Guitars Amplifiers Strings
Guild Starfire - Guitars Amplifiers Strings
Features the Starfire V guitar, the Starfire bass II, Thunderstar bass amp, and the F-47 Bluegrass flat top
Guild Thunderstar - Guild Amplifiers
Guild Thunderstar - Guild Amplifiers
We build them great like we build our guitars
Advert for the following Guild guitar, bass and PA amps: Thunderstar bass, ThunderBass 1-A, Seven-forty-seven, Quantum X, CS-100 sound column, Thund...
Guild Starfire - Buddy Guy Blues Band
Guild Starfire - Buddy Guy Blues Band
1970 Guitar Player advert featuring Buddy Guy's band - Buddy uses a Starfire SF IV through a Thunderbird guitar amp. The bass player uses a Starefire SF bass through a Quantum X amplifier
Guild Starfire - Guild Electrics. Are you trying to make it without one
Guild Starfire - Guild Electrics. Are you trying to make it without one
Advert for the S-90, S-100 SF-V (starfire) and M75 Guild six strings
Guild Starfire - If you dont own at least one thin hollow-body electric, you should
Guild Starfire - If you dont own at least one thin hollow-body electric, you should
Black and white advert for the Guild Starfire SF-4 six string guitar
Guild Starfire - Guild Starfire 4. Freedom Unlimited
Guild Starfire - Guild Starfire 4. Freedom Unlimited
A great looking Starfire 4 in Sunburst finish.

The way to go for the body style that gives you greatest control over today's many musical forms and demanding techniques. Starfire's thin, dou...
Guild Starfire - Buddy Guy and Guild
Guild Starfire - Buddy Guy and Guild
ELECTRIC BLUES BY BUDDY GUY - a pro's pro because he's done it all. The Road. Clubs. Concerts. Sessions. Always swinging with a Guild. Buddy's Guild gives back all the charged-up energy he pours in...

Guild Starfire, Guild Thunderstar

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1966 Guild Starfire 12 String Guitar

1966 Guild Starfire 12 String Guitar

Mesquite, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

1966 Guild Starfire Semi Hollow Electric Guitar great vintage Guild Guitar with the original case added a toggle switch
Shipping: $150 00 shipping to the Lower 48 States! We ship overseas. Overseas shipping prices will vary. Overseas buyers pay their own import taxes Payment: We accept Paypal for your convenience. Payment arrangements must be made within 72 hours after the auction closes Other: Please check out our other auctions and thanks for looking!!... more
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Used Guild 1980 Starfire IV Electric Guitar with Hard Case

Used Guild 1980 Starfire IV Electric Guitar with Hard Case

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

$2699

Up for sale is a gorgeous Guild Starfire IV electric guitar from 1980. This guitar has been thoroughly inspected and found to be in perfect working order. With a recent setup this guitar plays and sounds great. It will ship with a form fitting Guild hard case Listing and template services provided by inkFrog
... more
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Vintage 1966 Guild Starfire XII 12 String Guitar Body Neck Semi Hollow

Vintage 1966 Guild Starfire XII 12 String Guitar Body Neck Semi Hollow

Mobile, Alabama, 366**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1299

Vintage 1966 Guild Starfire XII 12 String Guitar Body Neck. Has wonderful patina and screams high end vintage! Has fine lacquer checking throughout. Has scratches and nicks typical of a 58 year old guitar that has been played but not abused. It does, however, have a few finish issues that should be pointed out. There are numerous, somewhat circular spots in the finish on the back of the headstock. There are a few more on the bass side of the headstock and neck (please see photos). It ... more
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VERY RARE VARIANT! 1963 Guild AMBER STAR II Starfire III - Honey Amber Amber Fir

VERY RARE VARIANT! 1963 Guild AMBER STAR II Starfire III - Honey Amber Amber Fir

Lee's Summit, Missouri, 640**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000


1963 Guild AMBER STAR II Starfire!
Here is a very rare early 1963 Guild Amberstar in Honey Amber finish. Not a faded cherry, it says Amber Star II on the label. This guitar plays great and is in very nice condition overall. The pickups sound excellent too! The guitar is all original besides the Bigsby, very nice refret, and the original tuners are back on the guitar. The case is likely the original that it came with as it is a Guild early 60's case with badge but ... more
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Vintage 1965 Guild Starfire III P-90 Pickups Red Original Soft Case

Vintage 1965 Guild Starfire III P-90 Pickups Red Original Soft Case

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2695

Vintage original 1965 Guild Starfire III in original Cherry Red finish.
Guitar is a particularly great player with a killer neck and great action. All notes are true and guitar
Features two modern P-90 pickups which sound killer. Sounds like a vintage Gibson ES-330
Plenty of honest wear throughout
Guitar has a killer look and an even better sound
Comes with an original vintage chipboard case, too
Buyer pays $125 shipping in the USA, $150 to Hawaii or Alaska, $400 ... more
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Guild Starfire IV

Guild Starfire IV

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 152**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$850

A versatile guitar for everything from rock to jazz.... more
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GUILD STARFIRE XII 12-STRING 1966 ELECTRIC GUITAR - EBONY STAIN, GOLD HARDWARE

GUILD STARFIRE XII 12-STRING 1966 ELECTRIC GUITAR - EBONY STAIN, GOLD HARDWARE

Akron, Ohio, 443**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4250

Here??s an extremely rare 1966 Guild Starfire XII 12-string electric in custom-ordered Ebony stain with gold hardware. Hoboken made, and in excellent condition. Maple laminate top, mahogany neck and sides. Guild HB-1 humbuckers: the mid pickup position was factory wired out-of-phase, now in-phase. It does show wear on the pickups ?? it??s only flaw. Original Guild hardshell case, comes with a partial set of original Guild strings and the installment payment card from the original buyer! ... more
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RAre! Hoboken NJ, 1966 Guild Starfire IV, Braz Rw Fretboard, Pro set-up! OHSC*

RAre! Hoboken NJ, 1966 Guild Starfire IV, Braz Rw Fretboard, Pro set-up! OHSC*

Wilmington, Delaware, 198**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499

THIS BEAUTY HAS THE PERFECT PATINA FOR ITS AGE!! TYPICAL 58yr OLD MOJO! ACTION IS BETTER THAN NORMAL AT UNDER 2 / 32nds HIGH E 12th FRET AND UNDER 3 / 32nds 12th FRET LOW E, BUZZ FREE BUTTERY SMOOTH AND AMAZING PLAYABILITY! ORIGINAL FRETS HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONALLY LEVELED, CROWN AND POLISHED TO PERFECTION AT 70% LIFE LEFT!! NECK IS STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW, TRUSS ROD TESTED GREAT AND SET PERFECTLY AS WELL AS THE INTONATION IS SPOT ON PERFECT!! ALL ORIGINAL GUITAR EXCEPT FOR LATE 60's USA ... more
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1980 Guild Starfire IV SF4 Sunburst w /  HB-1 Humbuckers & Case, USA Westerly

1980 Guild Starfire IV SF4 Sunburst w / HB-1 Humbuckers & Case, USA Westerly

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

$3000

Up for sale, a 1980 Guild Starfire IV model SF4 in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and factory documentation. Not to be confused with recent Starfire iterations, this is a genuine vintage USA-made Guild, produced at the Westerly, RI factory, loaded with the original pair of HB-1 humbuckers
Featuring a semi-hollow maple body, maple neck, and bound rosewood fingerboard, this Guild has a bright, bold natural acoustic ... more
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Guild Starfire IV Guitar

Guild Starfire IV Guitar

Virginia Beach, Virginia, 234**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$700

- Guild Starfire SF-IV / ST. Serial No. KSG2003624 or K5G2003624 - Hard to tell - Hand Written, seem image- This guitar is in ?Perfect?? shape - It still has the plastic cover on the guitar pick guard, no dings or nicks. - Plays perfectly - The case is also in pristine condition. - All original materials in the case and the double boxes it was received in still on hand - It was purchased in December 2020 however has only been play no more than 5 or 6 times, and then only on my couch. - Only ... more
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GUILD Starfire IV Vintage Made RI USA ??

GUILD Starfire IV Vintage Made RI USA ??

Greenwood, Arkansas, 729**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1600

Bought new in 1996. One owner, never registered. Been played maybe 5 times as you can tell by the pristine pick guard!
There is a small ding on the back of the neck that I tried to capture in one of the photos, but it isn't super clear. There is some scuffing on the case from being stored with other guitars.
Rhode Island made. Great axe!
... more
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1967 Guild Starfire IV Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar w /  Original Case.  VG+

1967 Guild Starfire IV Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar w / Original Case. VG+

Portland, Oregon, 972**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3349

1967 Guild Starfire IV Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar Cherry red. VG+
The photos accurately represent the condition of this guitar
All parts are original. Comes with original harp tailpiece installed but I will also include a Guildsby vibrato tailpiece
Binding is solid all the way around the guitar although there is a small chip in the binding a couple of inches away from the tailpiece See last photo
Neck is straight with low action. Good frets play all the way up the neck with ... more
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VINTAGE 1966 GUILD STARFIRE III electric guitar EXCELLENT MUST SEE

VINTAGE 1966 GUILD STARFIRE III electric guitar EXCELLENT MUST SEE

Hopewell, New Jersey, 085**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3495

GUILD 1966 STARFIRE III BORN IN HOBOKEN NJ

THIN LINE MAHAGANY BODY AND IN COLLECTABLE CONDITION
EK 715 sn
I SEE A EASY TI FIX ITEM TO DISCUSS. I TOOK A GOOD PIC OF IT. THE GUILD LAYOVER PIECE ON THE HEADSTOCK NEEDS TO BE CLAMPED AND GLUED AS IT IS SLIGHTLY RAISED AS SHOWN??NOT A BIG DEAL ON A GUITAR THAT IS NEAR MINT CONDITION. ALSO, SHE HAS LOW ACTION AND NEW STRINGS BUT AT THE 16TH FRET THE ACTION COMES UP A BIT AND THIS ONE NEEDS A SET UP. FRETS AND GUITAR SHOW NO WEAR. SHE... more
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De Armond By Guild STARFIRE BASS Guitar Sunburst Semi Hollow + Case Korea Made

De Armond By Guild STARFIRE BASS Guitar Sunburst Semi Hollow + Case Korea Made

Hawthorne, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

✈️FREE SHIPPING✈️
De Armond By Guild STARFIRE BASS Sunburst Semi Hollow / Case Included
IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
WILL SHIP IT WITH THE CASE ( not the original case for DeArmond but it fits )
HARD CASE IS FOR EPHIPHONE BASS
NOT FOR DE ARMOND
IM USING IT ONLY FOR PROTECTION
PLEASE CHECKTHE PHOTOS CAREFULLY FOR MORE DETAILS
FEEL FREE TO MESSAGE ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
... more
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Vintage 1967 Guild Starfire Bass Black

Vintage 1967 Guild Starfire Bass Black

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2795

Vintage original 1967 Guild Starfire Bass that has been refinished and a pickguard fashioned to it as well as other signs of work that has been done.
We don't see any cracks or repairs which is a big plus
Neck angle is good and action is good and it plays well
The pickups are original and they have a real warm and organic tone
Looks like the F holes have been enlarged a bit and the headstock re-shaped. They saved the serial number prior to sanding for a refinish and re ... more
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1966 Guild Starfire IV Sunburst Finish Vintage Electric Guitar w / OHSC

1966 Guild Starfire IV Sunburst Finish Vintage Electric Guitar w / OHSC

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

$2495

1966 Guild Starfire IV

In Good Overall Condition

Shows Playwear Throughout

Sunburst Finish

Semi-Hollow Body

Nut Width Measures 1 67"

Neck Depth Measures .83" At The 1st, .95" At The 12th
Frets Are In Very Good Condition
Binding In The Cutaways Is Separating Slightly

Headstock Veneer Is Separating Slightly In One Corner

G-String Tuner Is Missing ... more
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1962 Guild Starfire III Cherry 100% Original w /  DeArmond DynaSonics, Case

1962 Guild Starfire III Cherry 100% Original w / DeArmond DynaSonics, Case

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

$5000

Up for sale, a 1962 Guild Starfire III in 100% original, collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case, polish cloth and and vintage advertisement
Marketed to the ??young artist with a flair for showmanship, ?? this genuine vintage USA-made Guild was crafted at the company??s Hoboken, NJ factory, loaded with its original pair of DeArmond Dynasonic ??white-face?? single coil pickups. The fully-hollow thinline mahogany body is paired with a ... more
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1965 Guild Starfire IV Sunburst

1965 Guild Starfire IV Sunburst

Farmingdale, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2599

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Questions? We can help!
Contact us today!
30-Day Money Back
Guarantee
... more
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1979 Guild Starfire IV-D SF4D "Dimarzio" Electric Guitar Walnut Original W / OHSC

1979 Guild Starfire IV-D SF4D "Dimarzio" Electric Guitar Walnut Original W / OHSC

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

$1900


Vintage USA
1979 Guild Starfire IV-D SF4D "Dimarzio" Electric Guitar
All Original Road Worn Playing Machine!
Original Factory Installed Dimarzio Pickups!
Original Walnut Finish
SN 198503
Weighs: 9 Pounds, 1 Ounce
No Cracks, Breaks, Changes, Repairs, Refinishing Or Damage
If your seeing something of concern not described below, please ask
Condition Description & Flaws Noted:
This is a Vintage, Limited Production & Great Playing 1979 Guild SF4D, with ... more
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1966 Guild Starfire IV Sunburst

1966 Guild Starfire IV Sunburst

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

$2799

Just in is this great 1966 Guild Starfire IV
Quick Details
Weight 7 6lbs
Nut Width 1 65 Inches
Depth at 1st fret 0 86 Inches
Depth at 12th fret 0 90
This is a great playing and sounding 1966 Guild Starfire IV
This Starfire IV just had a fresh set up and fret dress and plays amazing!
The guitar is all original with the exception of one mismatched volume knob
The body is good shape but shows it use with slight paint chips and checking on the front and back of the ... more
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Find more Guild Starfire, Guild Thunderstar at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1961 Hofner Colorama I

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

1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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

1960 Hofner Colorama II

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

1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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

1981 Gibson Marauder

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

1971 'Pick Epiphone' Catalog

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

1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

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

1970s Shaftesbury 3263 bass

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

1961 Hohner Zambesi

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

1963 Vox Super Ace

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

1966 Vox New Escort

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

1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

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

1973 Eko Ranger Folk

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

1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

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

1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

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

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

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

1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

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

1972 Fender Precision bass

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

1967 Vox Stroller

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

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

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

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

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

1959 Hofner Committee

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

1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean

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

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

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

Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends

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

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

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

1965 Hofner President

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

1963 1964 Fender catalog

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