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EPIPHONE | SOLID BODY GUITARS

Vintage Epiphone solid body guitars

Electric guitars manufactured by Epiphone

Epiphone guitar manufacture can be spit into four main phases: (i) Stathopoulos family, 1873-1957, (ii) CMI/Gibson, 1957-1969, (iii) Norlin (Matsumoku, Japan), 1970-1985, (iv) Gibson Guitar Corporation, 1986-date. Solid body guitars had been available from Gibson and Fender through the 1950s, but the only Epiphone electric guitars produced prior to 1957 were electric acoustics, typically full body jazz guitars.

USA Epiphone solid body guitars

When Gibson owner CMI bought Epiphone in 1957, they also bought tooling, unfinished guitars and a lot of parts. Epiphone solid body production did not start until two years after the take-over, with the first two models (Coronet and Crestwood Custom) shipped from the Gibson Kalamazoo plant in 1959. These guitars were joined by the Olympic and Wilshire a year later, and the Crestwood Deluxe in 1963. These guitars used much of the same woods, construction methods and hardware as the Gibson models that were produced side-by-side in Kalamazoo. As mentioned, Gibson inherited numerous Epiphone parts, and many early examples were fitted with Epiphone New York pickups, headstock badges and Epiphone knobs.

In terms of design, the Gibson-made Epiphone solid body guitars were quite unique. There were two versions, the first was a compact guitar with deep, symmetrical cutaways and large symmetrical pickguard - built between 1959 and 1962. From 1963 the guitars were lengthened, specifically with a new 'batwing' headstock, but also loosing it's symmetry, with the stubby cutaways, longer on top, and almost non-existent on the bottom.

1962 Epiphone Coronet with the early symmetrical body shape. Image Heritage auctions

1965 Epiphone Crestwood Deluxe with the better known asymmetrical design. Image Heritage auctions

From the 1966 Epiphone catalogue - A natural development of the electric guitar was the solid body instrument... both guitar and bass. Contributing no acoustics of it's own, it's music is all produced by the pickups and the amplifier. This instrument was becoming popular with artists in the late forties and early fifties/ then, the age of "Rock and Roll" came into being and for music with a beat, the solid body had no equal. It is now used as a lead guitar in combos and bands across the country, and is uniquely a product of the age of electronics. Epiphone is proud to present solid body instruments that offer the depth, the sharp treble, the biting tone and the virility that all guitarists seek from a solid body instrument.

Gibson vs Epiphone

In terms of construction and specifications, the Epiphone solid bodies were more or less analogous to the Gibson SG and Melody Maker guitars. They had the same basic construction: mahogany bodies and necks, with a (usually) rosewood fretboard, and the same translucent Cherry finish. They were wired more or less the same and listed at more or less the same prices. Actually, where there was a difference, the Epiphones tended to be the higher priced of the two. The table below compares the different models.

Epiphone modelEquivalent Gibson model
modelspecifications1963 pricemodelspecifications1963 price
Epiphone Olympic 1 or 2 PU-380 pickup $139.50, $169.50 double pickup Gibson Melody Maker 1 or 2 PU-380 pickup $119.50, $155 double pickup
Epiphone Olympic Special 1 PU-380 pickup $119.50 Gibson Melody Maker 1 PU-380 pickup $119.50
Epiphone Coronet 1 P90 $162.50, 189 with vibrola Gibson SG Junior (TV) 1 P90 $155
Epiphone Wilshire 2 P90 or 2 mini humbuckers $249.50, $277 with vibrola Gibson SG Special 2 P90 $225
Epiphone Crestwood Custom 2 mini humbuckers, tremotone vibrola $345 Gibson SG Standard* 2 humbuckers $310
Epiphone Crestwood Deluxe 3 mini humbuckers, ebony fretboard, nickel plated hardware $450 Gibson SG Custom* 3 humbuckers, ebony fretboard, gold plated hardware $450

* SG Standard and Custom were still officially called Les Paul Standard and Custom at this point, though would be renamed shortly afterwards

Japanese Epiphone solid body guitars

In the late 1960s, American guitar manufacturers were in financial trouble. Imported Japanese guitars were consistently undercutting the US built ones, with quality improving all the time. So in 1969, Epiphone production ceased at Kalamazoo, being replaced by a series of guitars built by Aria in the Matsumoku plant in Japan. These guitars were loosely based on the US models, but at a significantly lower price.

The first guitar was the 1802T debuting in 1970. This was fairly quickly renamed the ET-270, with newer models ET-275 and ET-278 added to the line in 1972, and the ET-290 added in 1973.

1971 Epiphone 1802T / ET-270 solid body electric guitar
Have a closer look at this 1971 Epiphone 1802T

1976 price lists show new models, the ET-276, and ET-285. In 1977 the Scroll series was launched (SC-350, SC-450, SC-550, later SCIIB), followed by the Genesis series in 1979 (Standard, Deluxe and Custom).

American-built Epiphone guitars had a brief revival in 1983, with the American series: Challenger, Corvus, Spirit, Special. These models were quickly discontinued, being rebranded as Gibson guitars, to be replaced by the Wilshire II, Wilshire III and Crestwood II in 1984 - once more made in Japan.

Once Norlin sold out to the current owners (Gibson Guitar Corporation), Epiphone guitar manufacture was firmly based in Asia, specifically Korea and China. Today, the Epiphone guitar range is more popular than ever, selling lower priced versions of many USA-built Gibson models in large numbers.


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Epiphone guitars for sale

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Epiphone 1965 original vintage Coronet Solid Body Electric Guitar -

Epiphone 1965 original vintage Coronet Solid Body Electric Guitar -

Oceanside, New York, 115**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8999

HERE WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL EPIPHONE CORONET GUITAR FROM 1965 SERIAL NUMBER 322063
COMMONLY KNOWN AS A SILVER FOX
THIS GUITAR IS SO LIGHT MAYBE 5 LBS TOPS
ORIGINAL P 90 PICKUP
PLAYS AND SOUNDS GREAT COMES WITH A CASE
VERY RARE COLOR GREEN BLACK
... more
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1963 Epiphone Coronet Cherry

1963 Epiphone Coronet Cherry

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

$7019

Up for sale is a squeaky clean 1963 Epiphone Coronet in its original cherry finish. I absolutely love this era of Coronets and this one is flat out awesome. Entirely original with a hot original dogear P90, chunky neck profile that measures .88 @ 1st and 1 02 @ 12th. Very clean less some faint play wear and a small area of missing finish on the bass side of the neck near the neck pocket. The bridge has been changed on this one and replaced with a Mojoaxe tailpiece however the original is still ... more
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1962 Epiphone Coronet - Vintage Kalamazoo-made! Cherry

1962 Epiphone Coronet - Vintage Kalamazoo-made! Cherry

Los Angeles, California, 900**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

Legendary Guitar that hasn't caught up in price to its Gibson SG and Les Paul Junior cousins but made in the same factory with the same woods, same electronics, and same builders!


No headstock breaks, heel breaks, and all original electronics, pickup, tuners, and plastics!

Would prefer to sell locally in Los Angeles or even in Northern CA (that's where I'm from, wouldn't mind making the trip). But please, message me to sort out shipping If you ... more
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Epiphone Crestwood 1960s Cherry Electric Guitar

Epiphone Crestwood 1960s Cherry Electric Guitar

Central Point, Oregon, 975**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4500

No whammy bar. otherwise as new.... more
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Epiphone 1965 Wilshire Vintage Electric Guitar w /  Case - Cherry (Pre-Owned)

Epiphone 1965 Wilshire Vintage Electric Guitar w / Case - Cherry (Pre-Owned)

San Rafael, California, 949**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4500

Epiphone 1965 Wilshire Vintage Electric Guitar w / Case - Cherry (Pre-Owned) Epiphone 1965 Wilshire Vintage Electric Guitar w / Case - Cherry (Pre-Owned)
Epiphone 1965 Wilshire Vintage Electric Guitar w / Case - Cherry (Pre-Owned)
This vintage 1965 Epiphone Wilshire is a solid mahogany body electric guitar featuring an ... more
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1966 Epiphone Coronet Electric Guitar in Red

1966 Epiphone Coronet Electric Guitar in Red

Highland Park, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3895

This Used 1966 Epiphone Coronet Electric Guitar in Red is here on Consignment from the personal collection of George MacPhail, our repair tech since 1975! The guitar is in very nice shape, especially for its age. It does have a fair amount of weather checking, along with a few dings / dents / scrapes however, overall it's in very nice shape! The neck is straight, the original frets are still crowned, and the truss rod functions properly. Included with the guitar is the original hardshell ... more
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Rare Epiphone Olympic Solid Body Electric 1967

Rare Epiphone Olympic Solid Body Electric 1967

Danbury, Connecticut, 068**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3195

Rare Epiphone Olympic Solid Body Electric 1967
This fine guitar is a wonderful example of Epiphone and Gibson craftsmanship. This guitar has low action and great tone and sound
It is in great condition for its age.
There is some checking on the lower bout and a few minor dings, which is normal for a 57 year old instrument.
This guitar is ready to be played!
The Epiphone Olympic was the entry level CMI / Gibson-made Epiphone solid body and was the best selling of all 1960s ... more
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1963 Epiphone Olympic

1963 Epiphone Olympic

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2795

1963Epiphone Olympic, Sunburst, Double cutaway, 1 & 11 / 16 inches wide at thenut, Black single coil pickup, Stud tailpiece, Gold knobs, Vertical logo, Lightweight, Fine instrument, EC, Gig Bag... more
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1963 Epiphone Olympic (Melody Maker) Sunburst Finish Electric Guitar w / HSC

1963 Epiphone Olympic (Melody Maker) Sunburst Finish Electric Guitar w / HSC

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

$2695

1963 Epiphone Olympic (Melody Maker) Sunburst Finish Electric Guitar w / HSC
In Very Good Overall Condition (See All Photos)
Shows Cosmetic Playwear And Finish Checking Throughout
Mahogany Body
Mahogany Neck
Rosewood Fingerboard
Weighs In At - 5lbs 6oz
Nut Width - 1 63 "
Neck Depth At 1st Fret - .81 "
Neck Depth At 12th Fret - .93 "
Made In Kalamazoo, MI
Includes Non-Original Hard Shell Case As Shown
... more
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Epiphone Olympic (1963-1970) Cherry Wilshire Cornet Vintage  Electric Guitar

Epiphone Olympic (1963-1970) Cherry Wilshire Cornet Vintage Electric Guitar

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

$2500

Epiphone Olympic (1963-1970) Cherry Wilshire Cornet Vintage Electric Guitar... more
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Vintage 1965 Epiphone by Gibson Olympic Double DC Batwing electric guitar  VG

Vintage 1965 Epiphone by Gibson Olympic Double DC Batwing electric guitar VG

Lubbock, Texas, 794**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2395

Vintage 1965 Epiphone USA Gibson Olympic Double 2-pickup asymetrical double-cut batwing-headstock electric guitar==Vibrant cherry finish with much less wear and checking than usually seen on these, condition is VG++ / Exc 8 5 to 9 / 10 -- it does have one replaced pickup (in the case pocket) and the Maestro has been removed but it's also in the case pocket Stright neck with very light fret wear==Weighs approx 5 lbs 10 oz on my postal scale, nice and light!==Includes original hard ... more
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Vintage 1966 Epiphone by Gibson Olympic to Coronet Conversion

Vintage 1966 Epiphone by Gibson Olympic to Coronet Conversion

Lubbock, Texas, 794**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2250

Vintage 1966 Epiphone USA Gibson Olympic-to-Coronet conversion==Poor man's Coronet with a P-90 replacing the stock Melody Maker pickup==Apparently done in 1985 as the pots are '85 units==Plays and sounds great -- this is one conversion that makes sense (and can be reversed)==Normal wear and tear, repaired crack from edge of headstock to low-E tuner as pictured (pro repair)==Worldwide==
If you are considering a purchase, please take a minute and read our feedback !!!
We strive to achieve 5 ... more
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Vintage 1964 Epiphone Olympic Double Cut Electric Guitar W /  Case

Vintage 1964 Epiphone Olympic Double Cut Electric Guitar W / Case

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

$2000

Vintage 1964 Epiphone Olympic Double Cut Electric Guitar W / Case
Hey there! You are looking at a Vintage 1964 Epiphone Olympic Double Cut Electric Guitar. This guitar sounds absolutely amazing having a rich tone with beautiful high and low ends. Not only does it sound amazing, the guitar looks amazing having the classic Epiphone look
This guitar is in fairly good condition, there are scratches on the body and slight chips yet this is to be expected given its age (See photos for more ... more
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1965 Epiphone Olympic - Cherry Red

1965 Epiphone Olympic - Cherry Red

Morgantown, Pennsylvania, 195**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1999

1965 Epiphone Olympic - Cherry Red

Set up well and plays great. Nice player given it??s age


Weight is only 5 9 lbs. The pickups have been changed to Fender Custom Shops and it recently had a professional refret. Original pickups not included


Overall, the condition is very good. The body has some light wear and checking throughout. Minor dings and scratches but nothing major and no signs of repairs. There is some buckle wear on the back. The back... more
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2024 Epiphone USA Coronet Ebony Finish Electric Guitar w / OHSC

2024 Epiphone USA Coronet Ebony Finish Electric Guitar w / OHSC

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

$1699

2024 Epiphone USA Coronet Ebony Finish Electric Guitar w / OHSC
Located At IVG Burbank
New From The Factory On Display In Our Shop
Mahogany Body And Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard
Ebony Finish
Weight 6lbs 8oz
Nut Width 1 7315 "
Neck Depth At 1st Fret .85 "
Neck Depth At 12th Fret .94 "
Comes With Original Hardshell Case
Made In USA
... more
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1965 Epiphone Olympic Special (Melody Maker) Electric Guitar Original Cherry

1965 Epiphone Olympic Special (Melody Maker) Electric Guitar Original Cherry

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

$1600

A few notes: This guitar is all original and very clean with the exception of the knobs, vibrato arm, pickguard ($90 Chandler) and pickguard screws. Both pots date 1964. The pickup worked upon removing electronics from the original gassed pickguard. It now does not work and I cant get a reading on my meter. I tested with a different pickup and everything worked, so its definitely a pickup issue only. A period correct vintage replacement will cost between $100-$150 and is super easy to install. ... more
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1964 Epiphone Crestwood - White, Stripped

1964 Epiphone Crestwood - White, Stripped

Lake Stevens, Washington, 982**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1575

This listing is for a 1964 Epiphone Crestwood husk. The finish has been stripped, not sanded. There are no cracks to the wood. The finish was taken off. My hunch is that it was exposed to some surface moisture, which caused it to flake. It probably came off very easily. So it has full contours with no overs sanding. it probably came off very easily. So it has full contours. It has the narrower nut which Epiphone earlier than the Gibson-branded models. The profile is medium slim. There is a small... more
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Rare 1975(?) Epiphone Olympic made in Japan set neck

Rare 1975(?) Epiphone Olympic made in Japan set neck

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

$1499

Maker: Epiphone
Model: Olympic
Condition: very good
Description:
A rare 1970's Epiphone Olympic made at the famed Matsumoku factory exclusively for the Japan market. These were not exported and although share a name with the 60's Epiphone Olympic model they are quite different guitars. These Japan market Olympics featured set-neck construction, maple bodies with a german carve, 24 frets, Gotoh tuners, 2 humbuckers and a wrap around bridge. These were made from ... more
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Vintage 1965 Epiphone Olympic Single Electric Guitar

Vintage 1965 Epiphone Olympic Single Electric Guitar

Cleveland, Ohio, 441**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1450

Here is a 1965 Epiphone Olympic single electric guitar, made in the USA. The serial # is 5171XX. This beauty is in excellent condition. It was refinished in the original color. It was professionally done and looks original. All the parts are original. The neck is straight with good action. The frets are in great shape. All of the electronics work as they should. Included is a hard shell gig bag. This is a great guitar for any player or collector!
Please feel free to ask me any ... more
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1970 Epiphone WILSHIRE Flame Thru Body!

1970 Epiphone WILSHIRE Flame Thru Body!

La Quinta, California, 922**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$996

Purple Haze Music
Description: 1970 Epiphone WILSHIRE Flame Thru Body!
Built in Japan in 1970, the first year of production there, this 54 year-old beauty features a vibrant flame thru body in front and back, a two-piece bolt-on rosewood neck with block fret markers and original electronics. Comes with original hardshell case
Condition: In great condition for a vintage guitar, I had a luthier replace the original bar stop and bridge because they were really corroded. I purchased an ... more
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Find more Epiphone guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

There are 2 comments on this article so far. Add your comment

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bluesboybrown Comment left 29th April 2013 05:05:06 reply
Hey, I need an epiphone solid body vibrola, the early style also used on the SG special. Cash waiting. Any heads up welcome
faversham Comment left 3rd March 2012 21:09:38 reply
Looking for orig. 1961-63 molded Epi gray tolex/blue interior case(s) for my (2) '61 Wilshires.

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1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass

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1971 Epiphone 1802T

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1971 Shaftesbury 3400

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1981 Gibson Victory MVX

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1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogue

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A World of Guitars by Rosetti - 1971

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1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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1960 Hofner Colorama II

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1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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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