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FENDER | AMPLIFIERS

Vintage Fender amps

1960s and 1970s UK amps by Fender

Fender Bassman 100
Early 1970s Fender Bassman 100 amplifier with 4x12 cabinet
Fender Champ
Fender Champ guitar amplifier

Fender Amplifiers

Fender amplifiers have held a fantastic reputation for some time; Leo Fender was designing and building amplifiers in the 1940s, several years before turning his hand to guitars. Models like the Twin, and Bassmaster created a reputation that Fender has never lost, and other companies have tried so hard to emulate.

Naturally all early amplifiers were fitted with valves, and these are the most desirable vintage models. In the late 1960s a number of solid-state (transistor) models were launched, though these never had the commercial appeal of the valve equipment, which Fender continued to produce

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Fender amps for sale

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1959 Fender High Power Tweed Twin 5F8-A Vintage Tube Amp, 100% Original Circuit

1959 Fender High Power Tweed Twin 5F8-A Vintage Tube Amp, 100% Original Circuit

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

$40000

Up for sale, a 1959 Fender "High Power" Tweed Twin 5F8-A in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order. This Twin features a 100% original circuit, original tweed, and an immaculate control panel, loaded with a pair of era-correct Jensen P12N alnico magnet speakers
Occupying a very narrow window in Fender's golden age, the 5F8-A Twin was the pinnacle of Tweed era evolution and unmatched in power and headroom, first available in late 1957 and retired by January, 1960. This ... more
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Vintage 1955 Fender Twin Amp Tweed  Guitar Amp Combo - Ry Cooder Collection

Vintage 1955 Fender Twin Amp Tweed Guitar Amp Combo - Ry Cooder Collection

Santa Monica, California, 904**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$30000

[contenteditable]{ pointer-events: none; }Legendary musician, songwriter, composer and producer Ry Cooder is known across the guitar world as not only being one of the great guitarists of all time, but also a prolific collector of instruments. Whether it be vintage Gibson acoustics, funky Teisco electrics from the 1960's, or modern customs by Danny Ferrington, these instruments have a pedigree like few others. Never one to be afraid to tinker, Ry's instruments often have modifications and ... more
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Fender 1957 Tweed Super Amp Amplifier, Dwight Twilly, Girls, Scuba Diver

Fender 1957 Tweed Super Amp Amplifier, Dwight Twilly, Girls, Scuba Diver

Tulsa, Oklahoma, 741**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$24950

Fender 1957 Tweed Super Amp Amplifier, Dwight Twilly, Girls, Scuba Diver, were all recorded when Bill Pitcock Played through this amp while recording these songs with Dwight Twilly. This particular amp is featured in this month's issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine ,written by Dave Hunter. There is recent proof of a similar 1957 Tweed Super having sold through Heritage Auctions for just over $31, 000 00 . See photo of ad that also ran in vintage Guitar magazine several times in the previous issues.... more
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1958 Fender High Power Tweed Twin 5F8-A  Guitar Amplifier

1958 Fender High Power Tweed Twin 5F8-A Guitar Amplifier

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

$19500

This is a 1958 5F8 Tweed Twin chassis. Serial #A00053
Obviously, its pretty rough, but it works, and it screams.
When I got it (chassis only), it had been neglected for years and was a mess. It needed a full cap job, new 3 prong cable, fuse holder, a few of the pots replaced, 1 input jack, the rectifier socket, and little bit of wiring cleanup work.
After all that, and installing a full new set of Tung Sol tubes, she fired right up. The transformers and all the Astrons and components... more
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1958 Fender High Power Tweed Twin 5F8-A Vintage Tube Amp 2x12 w /  Jensen P12N

1958 Fender High Power Tweed Twin 5F8-A Vintage Tube Amp 2x12 w / Jensen P12N

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

$14000

Up for sale, a 1958 Fender "High Power" Tweed Twin 5F8-A in excellent condition and in perfect working order. This Twin features a very original circuit, rehoused in an replica speaker cabinet and loaded with a pair of era-correct Jensen P12N alnico magnet speakers
Occupying a very narrow window in Fender's golden age, the 5F8-A Twin was the pinnacle of Tweed era evolution and unmatched in power and headroom, first available in late 1957 and retired by January, 1960. This example was made in... more
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1966 Fender Vibrolux Reverb, Modified by Paul Rivera-Owned by Marty Lee Hoenes

1966 Fender Vibrolux Reverb, Modified by Paul Rivera-Owned by Marty Lee Hoenes

Mansfield, Ohio, 449**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13750

Metronome Music inspects and test all used gear before listing and again before shipping. Photographs are of the product that will ship and accurately represent condition and appearance.
1966 Fender Vibrolux Reverb, Stage 2 Mod by Paul Rivera - Owned by Marty Lee Hoenes of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers
Serial Number: A 07377
Power Transformer (022723): 606636
Output Transformer (022848): 606614
Filter Choke (022707): ... more
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Vintage 1959 Fender Deluxe Tweed Amp - 5E3 Narrow Panel

Vintage 1959 Fender Deluxe Tweed Amp - 5E3 Narrow Panel

South San Francisco, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11000

1959 Fender Deluxe Tweed Amp - 5E3 Narrow Panel
International iconic amp in all it's vintage glory and in good working condition. Original Aston components and wiring. Rewired for ground. Can use a thorough cleaning due to chrome pitting, surface rust and torn tweed from being a 60+ year old amp. Doesn't get any better than this .
Please contact me for any inquiries before bidding or buying. No Returns
attached video is not mine and used for information purposes on vintage tweed ... more
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1955 Fender Bassman 5E6 Tweed

1955 Fender Bassman 5E6 Tweed

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

$10999

A 1955 Fender Bassman 5E6 in original Tweed covering   
Serial number BM00352   A killer Narrow Panel Tweed Bassman that will rock all night long   All original except for replaced Caps and a 3-prong power cable conversion for safe operation   This is about as vintage as it gets folks from the 5E6 circuit to the well worn tweed covering   In overall good condition   Sounds heavenly     
Wattage:  Approximately 30 Watts 
Tubes:  2 X 6L6GB, 1 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AY7, 2 ... more
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1959 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Amplifier Amp Vintage Tweed and Super Clean!

1959 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Amplifier Amp Vintage Tweed and Super Clean!

El Cajon, California, 920**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9500


1959-1960 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Amplifier

This vintage Bassman has the original tweed covering, grill cloth and all of the main components are original. Some capacitors have been changed. One of the speakers was bad and has been replaced, but the same style Jenson from the same year was used. The code on the tube chart has worn off but the Chassis Code is "BM02387" which dates it to 1959. Three speakers date to 1960 and one is from 1959. See photos for the rest of the stamps and ... more
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1956 Fender Deluxe 5E3 Tweed

1956 Fender Deluxe 5E3 Tweed

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

$8499

A 1956 Fender Tweed Deluxe 5E3
Serial Number D01469. Recently fully serviced by one of Portland's finest vintage amp gurus. Power cable was replaced with modern 3-prong cable. Output Transformer was replaced with a Soursound PT-108. Original Power Transformer was repaired and now fully functional. New input jack. After a little TLC, this amp now sounds exactly as it should, full of crunchy goodness that will make you weak in the knees. In very good overall condition. A piece of ... more
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1959 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Tweed

1959 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Tweed

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8495

Vintage original 1959 Fender Bassman Model 5F6-A in original tweed
Sounds incredible. Nice and loud and punchy and organic sounding. Super warm and strong tones a Bassman is so well known for
Our tech has fully gone through the amp and it is working great without issue. Amp is all original but for some replaced caps, a replaced re-issue Fender power transformer, and some blue Fender Alnico speakers which look to be from the '90s. All working great and sounding great
Serial ... more
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Fender Deluxe Amp 5B3 1955 - Tweed

Fender Deluxe Amp 5B3 1955 - Tweed

New Paltz, New York, 125**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8350

Offered for sale:
Vintage 1955 Fender Deluxe Amp 5B3 serial number D 00152
This is the first generation ??narrow panel?? Deluxe in the ??small box?? and is in very good condition. It is fully functional. Cosmetically it??s showing wear and scuffing to the ??airplane luggage linen?? [tweed] covering. The tube chart is stamped with the June 1955 code EF.
This Deluxe just exudes tone and personality and soulfulness
This 5E3 is in mostly original condition. The leather handle has been... more
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1982 Fender Super Champ Pro Series Wood Cabinet European Version w / Cover

1982 Fender Super Champ Pro Series Wood Cabinet European Version w / Cover

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

$8295

1982 Fender Super Champ Super Pro Series
Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Purchased From A Longtime Collector Who Owned Many Pristine And Rare Examples Of Various Fender Amplifiers
Some Cosmetic Surface Wear Visible Throughout, Small Joint Separations In Cabinet As Shown
Extremely Rare, 1 Of 50 Made
European Export Model With Switchable Voltage (Currently Set To US 120V)
Upgraded ... more
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1959 Fender Deluxe Tweed Narrow Panel Vintage Tube Amp 5E3 w /  Jensen P12R

1959 Fender Deluxe Tweed Narrow Panel Vintage Tube Amp 5E3 w / Jensen P12R

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

$8200

Up for sale, a 1959 Fender Deluxe in excellent condition and in perfect working order, featuring the original Triad output transformer, original tweed, a freshly-serviced and very original circuit, and the stock Jensen P12R speaker
Few circuits are more desired and emulated than the narrow panel Tweed-era 5E3, and this amp delivers everything one expects from the last iteration of the Tweed line. Incredibly dynamic and harmonically rich, the Deluxe can be glassy and clear at low volumes, but... more
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1957 Fender Princeton Tweed Vintage Tube Amp Big Box 5F2, Ray LaMontagne

1957 Fender Princeton Tweed Vintage Tube Amp Big Box 5F2, Ray LaMontagne

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

$7900

Up for sale, a 1957 Fender Princeton in time capsule-clean condition and in perfect working order, featuring a 100% original circuit. Previously owned by Ray LaMontagne, this Princeton comes complete with a COA confirming its provenance
This narrow panel Tweed amp has absolutely stunning and virtually un-ambered original tweed, and this Princeton one of the more impressive golden-age Fender amps to come through our shop in years. With its narrow panel configuration, this Princeton is ... more
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1957 Fender 5F10 Harvard 1x10" Combo Amplifier Tweed Pre-CBS w / Cover

1957 Fender 5F10 Harvard 1x10" Combo Amplifier Tweed Pre-CBS w / Cover

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

$7895

1957 Fender 5F10 Harvard
This Amp Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Excellent Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Original Tweed Covering Shows Light Surface Wear Throughout As Shown
100% Original Example Including 2-Prong AC Cord
Asbestos Insulation Strip Professionally Removed From Back Panel For Safety
10" Alnico Jensen P10R Speaker
10-Watts
Available For Local Pickup In Our Sherman Oaks Shop
Please Note: We Do Not Ship Amps Through This Site, Contact Us ... more
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Fender Tweed Harvard Model 5F10 FF  Vintage 1956-1958  amp

Fender Tweed Harvard Model 5F10 FF Vintage 1956-1958 amp

Gastonia, North Carolina, 280**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7650

This vintage Fender Tweed Harvard Model 5F10 FF amplifier is a rare gem for any guitar enthusiast. With its classic design and powerful sound, this cabinet amp is perfect for resonator, acoustic electric, bass, electric, travel, and classical guitars. It features 2 channels and 1 speaker, providing a unique sound that is perfect for any music style. The amplifier technology is modeling, which provides a versatile range of sounds. This amp is a must-have for any collector or musician looking for ... more
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1959 Fender Tweed Super Amp

1959 Fender Tweed Super Amp

Huntington Beach, California, 926**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7500

Up for sale we have a extremely cool and clean 59 Fender Tweed Super. It was sent back to Fender in Nov. 1962 and re covered (See RA # on bottom of cabinet) The brown Tolex has held up well as has the chrome on the face of the chassis. All lettering is clean and 100%. The grill is the original that came with the amp in 1959. Both P10 R speakers are original to the amp and are dated 220935. All transformers are original and perform as they should. I bought the amp from a famed amp tech (Robert ... more
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Vintage 1959 Fender Bassman Tweed Guitar Amp Combo

Vintage 1959 Fender Bassman Tweed Guitar Amp Combo

Santa Monica, California, 904**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7500

[contenteditable]{ pointer-events: none; }Truetone Music has been selected to take in a special collection of instruments from a very special long-time customer and friend of ours   A collector of only unique, rare, vintage and high-end guitars & amps, he amassed a serious collection of these years   For the first time, these pieces are available on the market for the first time
Everything from this collection is special, but one really jumped out: this ultra rare 1959 Fender Bassman   ... more
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1964 Fender Tremolux Black Panel - Blonde

1964 Fender Tremolux Black Panel - Blonde

Irvington, New York, 105**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7500

1964 Fender Tremolux (Blonde)
Serial Number: A00867Stamped Code: NB (1964 / Feb)Production Code: 27Model / Circuit Number: AA763Description: Blackface Piggyback White (Blonde) Tolex; Gold grill cloth; 2 x 10 Oxford 10K5
Being offered by the original owner, this vintage 1964 Fender Tremolux is completely authentic and in rare pristine original condition. This amplifier was purchased back in the late 70s from a close friend in its original boxes when he took over a local music store as ... more
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David A. Morrow Comment left 9th June 2014 19:07:02 reply
Where's the Fender Super 210 Red Knob series amp? I have one to sell if you are interested. Mint condition, photos available

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1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass

1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass The Hagstrom Swede bass, or model HB 903, was only built in small numbers: just 1479 basses shipped between 1971 and 1976. Unlike the current range of Hagstrom guitars, the 1950s-1980s Hagstroms were built in Sweden. This example comes from 1973 and is pretty typical: translucent cherry finish, mahogany body, mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard. It's a really nice bass, beautifully appointed with a very wide tonal range, and a great playing feel. It is relatively heavy though for a mahogany instrument, mostly due to its thick solid body. Very cool bass, and certainly one of the very best basses produced by Hagstrom.

1973 Shaftesbury 3400

1973 Shaftesbury 3400 This example of the Shaftesbury 3400 was produced by Japanese manufacturer Matsumoku who made some great quality guitars in the 1970s and 1980s. This is a slightly later example, and has some features not seen on earlier 3400s. Although nice guitars, these are not in the same league as the Gibson Les Paul it was emulating (no set neck, no carved maple top); but they are far better than many of the entry-level Les Paul copies available in the mid-1970s - for example the Shaftesbury 3400 has gold plated hardware, a solid body bound front and back, Maxon brand humbuckers and nice inlaid neck and headstock.

1971 Epiphone 1802T

1971 Epiphone 1802T The Epiphone 1802T was the early name given to the Epiphone ET-270 and derived from an existing Aria guitar, also the 1802T. This was the first of the 1970s Epiphone solid bodies made in Japan by Matsumoku.The model evolved somewhat over its short production run: the very earliest examples were very similar to the Aria, sharing the same body shape, hardware, and clear-coated neck with Fender-style headstock with decal logo. By the time it was designated the Epiphone ET-270 it had been upgraded with the classic Epiphone-style headstock, with nice inlaid logo, and Epiphone 'E' motifs on the truss rod cover and scratchplate. This example from 1971 is somewhere in between with the Epiphone-style headstock, but with silk-screened logo, and no 'E's.

1971 Shaftesbury 3400

1971 Shaftesbury 3400Shaftesbury was a brand distributed by Rose-Morris in the UK - generally imported guitars from Italy or Japan. This guitar, model 3400 was produced by Matsumoku in Japan, and was one of the earliest Les Paul copy guitars, debuting in the UK in 1969, although the same guitar was also sold as the Univox U1982 'Rhythm and Blues' by Merson in the USA as early as 1968. It was also available in different territories under different marques, most obviously the Aria 5522 (Japan), Jedson Jet 4444 (UK, Dallas Arbiter), with no doubt many more examples worldwide.

1981 Gibson Victory MVX

1981 Gibson Victory MV-XThe Gibson Victory MV-X, or Victory 'Multi-Voice' 10, was so-named because of the 10 distinct switch settings: although on first glance this guitar is very much a 'super-strat', with its three-pickup 5-way switch wiring configuration, the original advertising, sounds like... all of 'em underlines that this isn't just a Stratocaster copy, having the sounds of both Gibson humbuckers and Fender single coils available with a flick of a switch. The model was short-lived, with the first instruments shipping from Kalamazoo in Summer of 1981, and the last (excluding any stragglers) leaving Nashville by early 1982. This one was stamped on August 3rd 1981 in Kalamazoo.

1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogue

1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogScan of 1970 Epiphone guitar catalogue produced by Rosetti for the UK market. Undated but most likely from mid-late 1970, this was the first UK catalogue to show the new range of Japanese (Matsumoku) Epiphone guitars. Interestingly, these pages show the Epiphone solid bodies with a single-sided Fender-style headstock layout - a feature quickly replaced with a typical two-sided Epiphone headstock almost immediately. Epiphone electric guitars: 9520, 9525; bass guitars: 9521, 9526; acoustic guitars: 6730, 6830, 6834

A World of Guitars by Rosetti - 1971

1971 A World of Guitars by Rosetti catalogueScan of 1971 Rosetti catalogue (UK) featuring guitars from from numerous manufacturers worldwide: guitars by Epiphone, Hagstrom, Levin, Hoyer, Egmond, Eros, Moridaira, Kiso-Suzuki, Schaller, and Tatra.

1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1961 Hofner Colorama I

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

1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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

1960 Hofner Colorama II

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

1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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

1981 Gibson Marauder

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

1971 'Pick Epiphone' Catalog

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

1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

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

1970s Shaftesbury 3263 bass

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

1961 Hohner Zambesi

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

1963 Vox Super Ace

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

1966 Vox New Escort

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

1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

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

1973 Eko Ranger Folk

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

1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

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

1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

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

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

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

1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

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

1972 Fender Precision bass

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

1967 Vox Stroller

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

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

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

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

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