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Vintage Ampeg amps, guitars and basses

Music instruments manufactured and distributed by Ampeg

Ampeg amplifiers

B15N
VT22
VT40

Vintage Ampeg advertising

137

Amplifier advertisements originally published from 1968 onwards. Click on the images for larger copies. Check out other vintage Ampeg advertisements

Ampeg Amplifiers - The look of kinetic sound

Ampeg Amplifiers - The look of kinetic sound (1968)
Ampeg amplifiers - shock troops of the new wave of sound
[more]

Ampeg SVT - Ampeg Amps - Built to be Worked Hard

Ampeg SVT - Ampeg Amps - Built to be Worked Hard (1971)
Early seventies advertisement for the Ampeg SVT featuring the Rolling Stones; from left to right: Mick Jagger, Mick Taylor, Kieth Richards, Charlie Watts
[more]

Ampeg VT-22 - Ampeg Adventure Comics

Ampeg VT-22 - Ampeg Adventure Comics (1971)
In this issue: the amp that short circuited the world - comic-style Ampeg advert for the 100 watt 2x12 VT-22 all-valve guitar combo
[more]

Ampeg VT-40 - Feel the sound

Ampeg VT-40 - Feel the sound (1972)
Early seventies surrealistic Ampeg ad for the VT-40 - "Delusions of Grandeur"
[more]

Ampeg VT-22 - Ampeg VT-22. 80 Pounds of Undying Devotion

Ampeg VT-22 - Ampeg VT-22. 80 Pounds of Undying Devotion (1972)
Gazing upon the inevitable soccer field of human emotion; Devotion; stands alone on the sidelines of posterity. It cannot be seen with the eye; or seized with the hand; but peel away the ever chang...
[more]

Ampeg Amplifiers - A Little Softer than Your Average Act of God

Ampeg Amplifiers - A Little Softer than Your Average Act of God (1972)

[more]

Ampeg Amplifiers - When The Performance is Over, Our Amps Show What They

Ampeg Amplifiers - When The Performance is Over, Our Amps Show What They're Made Of (1975)

[more]

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1967 Ampeg B-12XT Portaflex 2x12 Flip-Top Guitar Combo Amplifier #47282

1967 Ampeg B-12XT Portaflex 2x12 Flip-Top Guitar Combo Amplifier #47282

Burbank, California, 915**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1495

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eBay Template Design by OCDesignsOnline HomeAboutTestimonialsPoliciesContactSell your Gear 1967 Ampeg B-12XT Portaflex 2x12 Flip-Top Guitar Combo Amplifier #47282 ××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× Item DescriptionWORKING CONDITION: Good - Sounds great! The vibrato effect only seems to work only on the first ... more
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Early 70??s Vintage Ampeg Flatback SVT 8x10 240w Speaker Cabinet - Studio Owned

Early 70??s Vintage Ampeg Flatback SVT 8x10 240w Speaker Cabinet - Studio Owned

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

$1500

Vintage Ampeg Flatback SVT 8x10 240w Speaker Cabinet - Studio Owned
For sale we have this vintage Early 70's Ampeg 8x10 cabinet, the towering giant of bass amplification, known affectionally as ?The Fridge??. This speaker cab is a staple of the bass world, and it's seen more sessions than we could possibly count. It's been the foundation of that legendary bass tone that's powered genres from rock to funk for decades.
This particular specimen has a response that's unbelievably smooth and ... more
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1970s AMPEG SVT AMPLIFIER HEAD SIDE HANDLES SET OF (2) EXCELLENT ORIGINAL SHAPE

1970s AMPEG SVT AMPLIFIER HEAD SIDE HANDLES SET OF (2) EXCELLENT ORIGINAL SHAPE

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$75

FREE USA SHIPPING!
These came off of a 1971 SVT amplifier head. They are in fine original condition with some wear but are still solid and complete. There's some minimal wear and oxidation on the chrome covers but no pitting. All the mounting screws turn freely with maybe a hint of surface rust on the screw threads. The mounting nuts are original, too. Besides this set I have (2) additional sets of these for sale that came off the 8x10 speaker cabinets that I used with the amp head "back in ... more
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Ampeg V-4B 2-Channel 100-Watt Bass Head 1970s Pro Serviced

Ampeg V-4B 2-Channel 100-Watt Bass Head 1970s Pro Serviced

Andover, Massachusetts, 018**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1650

Early Magnavox era V-4B. Pro serviced by AzTech Electronics of Boston in April 2019 (see service receipt in photos) and used sparingly ever since. Stored and occasionally played in a climate controlled rehearsal room. All functions working as of January 2024, though pots are a bit scratchy from lack of frequent use
Ships worldwide. Package will be large (double boxed), heavy, delicate, and fully insured, and so shipping cost will be substantial.... more
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Vintage AMPEG VT-22 Tube Amp 2 12s 2 channel 100 watts Reverb with cart LOUD

Vintage AMPEG VT-22 Tube Amp 2 12s 2 channel 100 watts Reverb with cart LOUD

Wellington, Nevada, 894**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1125

Vintage AMPEG VT-22 Tube Amp 2 12s Two channel 100 watts Reverb with cart. Multi OHM Output. Cooling Fans added. VERY Loud. Small box with knob is plug in Master Volume great for small venue .. Sold As Is. NOT responsible for un insured items. Shipping $280 00 in lower 48 USA . Thanks .... more
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Ampeg G-18 2-Channel Guitar Amplifier - Late 70??s - Very Rare 10W Vintage Amp!

Ampeg G-18 2-Channel Guitar Amplifier - Late 70??s - Very Rare 10W Vintage Amp!

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

$250

Ampeg G-18 2-Channel Guitar Amplifier - Late 70’s - Very Rare 10W Vintage Amp!. Great. Working vintage amp has a couple small tears in the tolex The cord has a small amount of electrical tape wrapped around it where I'm assuming there was a nic Will ship FedEx ground fully insured with track shipping to the lower 48 states only. No Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam or PO boxes. No international shipping
... more
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Vintage 1965 Ampeg G-12 Gemini I Guitar Tube Combo Amplifier w /  Footswitch

Vintage 1965 Ampeg G-12 Gemini I Guitar Tube Combo Amplifier w / Footswitch

Plainview, New York, 118**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

Vintage 1965 Ampeg G-12 Gemini I Guitar Tube Combo Amplifier w / Footswitch Vintage 1965 Ampeg G-12 Gemini I Guitar Tube Combo Amplifier w / Footswitch
Description
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Welcome to All Music Inc's Musicdungeon! Right now, you are looking at a great piece.
This is a vintage 1965 Ampeg G-12 Gemini I Guitar Tube Combo Amplifier
What a classic! ... more
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Vintage 1970s Ampeg CTS Alnico 10" Raw Frame Speaker 5810144 32 OHMS

Vintage 1970s Ampeg CTS Alnico 10" Raw Frame Speaker 5810144 32 OHMS

Southbridge, Massachusetts, 015**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$119

Vintage 1970s Ampeg CTS Alnico 10" Raw Frame Speaker 5810144 32 OHMS
Tested FunctionalCodes: 5810144, 580155-1, 137 742432 OHMS - Multimeter reading 28 3Good cosmetic condition with some oxidationSpeaker came out of a 1970s Ampeg B-410 ComboPlease see images
2 Convenient Pickup Locations:
Gordon LaSalle Music993 Main St East Hartford, CT 06108
Gordon LaSalle Music 339 Main St Southbridge, MA 01550
... more
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Vintage AMPEG VT-22 Tube Amp 2 12s 2 channel 100 watts w / Reverb

Vintage AMPEG VT-22 Tube Amp 2 12s 2 channel 100 watts w / Reverb

Tomball, Texas, 773**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1250

If you're looking at this amp you know what you're buying
I've had this amp for almost 10 years and out of all my gear it is my most prized possession. But I am a little in a bind and need some cash and can't justify having 3 amps at the moment, I already have a small practice amp and a gigging amp
There's two details about this amp you need to know:
There is some crackling whenever you turn the volume knobs and also some crackling and static when you play it. Most likely the tubes ... more
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Vintage 1970s Ampeg CTS Alnico 10" Raw Frame Speaker 5810144 32 OHMS

Vintage 1970s Ampeg CTS Alnico 10" Raw Frame Speaker 5810144 32 OHMS

Southbridge, Massachusetts, 015**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$119

Vintage 1970s Ampeg CTS Alnico 10" Raw Frame Speaker 5810144 32 OHMS
Tested FunctionalCodes: 5810144, 580155-1, 137 742432 OHMS - Multimeter reading 28 3Good cosmetic condition with some oxidationSpeaker came out of a 1970s Ampeg B-410 ComboPlease see images
2 Convenient Pickup Locations:
Gordon LaSalle Music993 Main St East Hartford, CT 06108
Gordon LaSalle Music 339 Main St Southbridge, MA 01550
... more
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1966 Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex Rig in Original Cabinet with Dolly

1966 Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex Rig in Original Cabinet with Dolly

Keaau, Hawaii, 967**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1650

ppThis vintage 1966 Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex tube amp, best described as the easy substitute for the working player when the SVT somehow just couldn't make it to the session. Sonically this bad boy remains smooth, punchy, articulate, quiet enough for any performance space, will easily pass muster with any veteran player. As the chosen amp for years, it's been recently gone over and professionally tweaked, having spent the bulk of the last twenty with its aux jack tied to a studio DI box. The tubes ... more
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1970s Ampeg B-15S Extension Cabinet 8 Ohm Original Excellent Condition RARE

1970s Ampeg B-15S Extension Cabinet 8 Ohm Original Excellent Condition RARE

Milford, New Jersey, 088**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

Here's a VERY rare opportunity to own a B-15S 15" extension cabinet. Most of the time you see cabinets that were stripped of the amplifier. This was manufactured as an extension cabinet. This is not an orphan cabinet from a complete amplifier. You can see its fitted with the original cups on top that the steel feet would sit in rather than having the shock mounts for the amp chassis. The cabinet is in original cosmetic condition however I am doubting the speaker is original. Its not very ... more
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1970s AMPEG V-4 SPEAKER CABINET PLATE W / MOUNTING BRADS AND SERIAL NUMBER

1970s AMPEG V-4 SPEAKER CABINET PLATE W / MOUNTING BRADS AND SERIAL NUMBER

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$49

FREE USA SHIPPING!
This came off of a 1973 Ampeg V-4 speaker cabinet. It's in great original condition with minimal wear and lies almost perfectly flat. There's some minimal surface surface scratches but all graphics and the serial number are clear & strong. It comes with the (4) original mounting brads.
FREE USA SHIPPING and no returns because the pics and description speaks for itself. The Bass Palace will be listing more parts, basses & guitars during September so check back ... more
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1962 Ampeg B-15N Portaflex Bass Guitar Combo

1962 Ampeg B-15N Portaflex Bass Guitar Combo

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

$2500



Center an Image using text align center Ampeg B15N Portaflex 1x15
Description: For sale is a fully serviced and functional Ampeg B15, lately removed from an legendary East Coast Studio. Amp was aquired along with quite an interesting cache of other gear, namely, vintage Fender amps, vintage tube microphones, etc. It was purchased new in '62 and stayed in use for several decades, never having seen the road. On testing it, the transformer was predictably faulty, so we contacted our ... more
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Vintage Ampeg SVT 8x10 8 x 10?? Empty Speaker Cabinet Flat Back 8 x 10 Iowa iL WI

Vintage Ampeg SVT 8x10 8 x 10?? Empty Speaker Cabinet Flat Back 8 x 10 Iowa iL WI

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 524**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$299

Ampeg Speaker Cabinet... more
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Ampeg SVT  300 Watt All Tube Bass Amp Head 1975-1979

Ampeg SVT 300 Watt All Tube Bass Amp Head 1975-1979

Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, 161**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2399

Up for sale is a 70's Ampeg SVT tube bass amplifier head, freshly serviced from an authorized Ampeg service center with a matched sextet of 6550 Sovtek Power Tubes. Ampeg debuted the Super Vacuum Tube "SVT" amplifier in the summer of ?69 at the Chicago N A.M M. convention. This amp was a milestone design, pushing 300 watts of all-tube power specifically geared for larger venues, cementing its place in the live world as the go-to backline stage rig. A vintage USA-made example with black line ... more
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Vintage Ampeg Super Echo Twin (ET-2-B) 30-Watt 2x12" Guitar Combo Tube Amp

Vintage Ampeg Super Echo Twin (ET-2-B) 30-Watt 2x12" Guitar Combo Tube Amp

Buffalo, New York, 142**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

AmpegVintage Ampeg Super Echo Twin (ET-2-B) 30-Watt 2x12" Guitar Combo Tube Amp. This has some wear and tear. The Reverb and Echo / Tremelo are not working. The amplifier powers on and works. sounds good otherwise. The are two very nice Jensen speakers. I believe 1963. This amp is sold as is. I would prefer local pick-up. But I will ship.
Reverb and Tremelo Not Working. The foot Pedal is Included
West Coast Pays extra 50 00 Please ask first.
No International shipping.... more
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1957 AMPEG JET 10 GUITAR AMPLIFIER PP EL84 THE RAREST GUITAR AMP YOULL OWN ..

1957 AMPEG JET 10 GUITAR AMPLIFIER PP EL84 THE RAREST GUITAR AMP YOU'LL OWN ..

Runnemede, New Jersey, 080**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8995

If you have to ask pricing, You can't afford this Rich Boy toy .
1957 AMPEG JET 10 GUITAR AMPLIFIER PP EL84 THE RAREST GUITAR AMP YOU'LL OWN .. I have owned this amp for years, But have never attempted to turn it on. The amplifier is completely original And I know better than to try to turn it on. The Capacitors are now 65 years old.
I got this amplifier from an old guy that was the Original owner, He stated That he had bought it from an old electronics shop when he was a Kid, He said ... more
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1960s / 70s AMPEG SVT OR B-15 4-CONDUCTOR SPEAKER CABINET JACK W / MOUNTING SCREWS

1960s / 70s AMPEG SVT OR B-15 4-CONDUCTOR SPEAKER CABINET JACK W / MOUNTING SCREWS

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$38

FREE USA SHIPPING!
This came off of a 1974 Ampeg SVT speaker cabinet. It also is suitable for 60's and 70's B-12, B-15 and B-18 models. It's in great original condition with minimal wear and includes the (3) original screws. There's some minimal surface surface scratches overall has a great look and is correct and original
FREE USA SHIPPING and no returns because the pics and description speaks for itself. The Bass Palace will be listing more parts, basses & guitars during September ... more
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1965 Ampeg B-15NF Portaflex 25-Watt 1x15" Bass Combo Checkered Blue Vinyl

1965 Ampeg B-15NF Portaflex 25-Watt 1x15" Bass Combo Checkered Blue Vinyl

Milford, New Jersey, 088**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

Louie Louie! A great example of a 1965 Ampeg B-15NF. Featuring an original custom lucite logo / nameplate. Certainly in well above average condition. These are generally much more worn from years of use and transport. The sound of these B15 combos is on just about every Motown and Soul record recorded during the 60s and 70s and have continued to be the choice of MANY artists across all genres to this day. I own quite a few of them currently and can't get enough. These blue checkered models are ... more
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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.