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FENDER | AMPLIFIERS | SUPER

Fender Super

electric guitar amplifier

Amplifier advertisements originally published from 1955 onwards. Click on the images for larger copies. Check out other vintage Fender advertisements

Fender Super - Fender fine electric instruments

Fender Super - Fender fine electric instruments (1955)
Early Fender advertisement for four pedal steels, three amplifiers, and three electric guitars. At this point in Fender history, it is the pedal steels that top the page; electric guitars are still...
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Fender Super amps for sale

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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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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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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 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 1949 Fender V-Front Super Guitar Amp Combo

Vintage 1949 Fender V-Front Super Guitar Amp Combo

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

$7500

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We have a truly super vintage piece in stock, this vintage 1949 Fender Super Amp - a wonderful timepiece that's a prime example of classic iconic amp craftmenship   Hard to find and always high in demand, late 40's Fender amps are true treasures  Leo Fender created an amazing line of tubes that have become legends that produces tones that are still sought after   The Super eveolved from the Dual Professional, renamed the Super in 1947   This is ... more
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Vintage 1954 Fender Super Guitar Amp Combo - Stephen Stern Collection

Vintage 1954 Fender Super Guitar Amp Combo - Stephen Stern Collection

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

$7000

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Here at Truetone Music, we are fortunate to have close relationships with some of the most prolific guitar builders   One that stands above the rest is the legendary Stephen Stern, Senior Masterbuilder at the Gretsch Custom Shop   Over the years, he was also responsible for D'Aquisto, Benedetto and Fender Custom Shop builds   During his career, he amassed an impressive collection of gear   Now, select pieces have become available for the first ... more
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1958 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Amplifier Amp Vintage Tweed and Super Clean

1958 Fender Bassman 5F6-A Amplifier Amp Vintage Tweed and Super Clean

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

$6000

We are proud to present this gem of an amp, an early 1958 Fender Bassman 5F6-A amp with all original transformers and included, the coveted Astron yellow caps. Only the loaded chassis is for sale and will include a set of hand selected vintage tubes. It has just been run through by our tech and has a clean bill of health. Once again, this chassis retain all of its original transformers, and it has had no invasive circuit modifications in its history, something uncommon in many of the bassmans ... more
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Fender Brownface Super Amp 1962

Fender Brownface Super Amp 1962

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

$5950

Original 1962 Brownface Fender Super with original brown Oxford Speakers that came in the 1963 vibroverb. It has the tube chart, dog bone handle, and 3 prong cable. Includes a vibrato switch and 2 amp covers. Amazing vibrato! I have owned it since 2006 and it has had moderate use, mostly in the home studio and local clubs. The amp is a bit too heavy for me and it is a loud 40 watts. It breaks up nicely and has incredible tone. I own several 1960's Brownface Fender amps and a 1956 tweed and... more
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1954 Fender Super Tweed Wide Panel Vintage Tube Amp 2x10 w /  Jensen P10R, 5D4

1954 Fender Super Tweed Wide Panel Vintage Tube Amp 2x10 w / Jensen P10R, 5D4

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

$5000

Up for sale, a 1954 Fender Super in exceptional condition, complete with the original pair of Jensen P10R alnico 10" speakers and a pair of USA Tung Sol 5881 power tubes. A "Wide Panel" Tweed amp, this particular iteration of the Super is one of the earliest examples of the 5D4 circuit, only available from 1954-55. The Tweed Super is the baby brother of the Bassman in many respects, offering the same harmonic rich, dynamic tones in a more studio friendly and portable enclosure. The low end is ... more
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SUPER RARE 1956 Fender Pro Tube Amp & Pro Extension Cabinet Set

SUPER RARE 1956 Fender Pro Tube Amp & Pro Extension Cabinet Set

Sacramento, California, 958**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4999

Very rare 1956 Tweed Pro set

- 15?? Fender Pro with 15?? tweed Pro extension cabinet
- Pro amp appears to have been painted black at some point, but stripped
- Transformers are original!
- Vintage Jensen P15N sounds great. I don??t know these speakers that well, but it looks like a 1952 or 62.
- Amp has been recently serviced and gone through by Skip Simmons. I??m lucky to have him about 30 minutes away. In the past there had been some very shoddy work done. So Skip ... more
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1954 Fender Super Tweed Wide Panel Vintage Tube Amp 2x10 w /  Jensen P10R, 5D4

1954 Fender Super Tweed Wide Panel Vintage Tube Amp 2x10 w / Jensen P10R, 5D4

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

$4500

Up for sale, a 1954 Fender Super, retaining the original tweed and boasting a fully restored circuit outfitted with a complete vintage tube set. A "Wide Panel" Tweed amp, this particular iteration of the Super is one of the earliest examples of the 5D4 circuit, only available from 1954-55. The Tweed Super is the baby brother of the Bassman in many respects, offering the same harmonically rich, dynamic tones in a more studio friendly and portable enclosure. The low end is wooly and thick, the ... more
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Vintage 1951 Fender V-Front Super Guitar Amp Combo Lily SOUNDS GREAT VIDEO

Vintage 1951 Fender V-Front Super Guitar Amp Combo Lily SOUNDS GREAT VIDEO

Boulder, Colorado, 803**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3400

re-covered in some vintage couch vinyl
tweed is missing on the majority underneath the non-original vinyl coveringgrill cloth is not originalone speaker is the the original JENSEN with the code of 220102 (1951) , and it has the original output transformer mounted to itthe other speaker is questionable, it is an OXFORD, with a code of 465-437, so it could a a 1953? .so not surethe STACKPOLE pots have a code of 304117 (1951)signed by Lily on small piece o masking tapetubes all are very ... more
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1965 Fender Super Reverb AB763 4x10" Combo Amplifier Black

1965 Fender Super Reverb AB763 4x10" Combo Amplifier Black

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

$2795

1965 Fender Super Reverb
Located At IVG Burbank
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Light Cosmetic Surface Wear Visible Throughout As Shown
Circuit Is Mostly Original With Replaced Electrolytic And Filter Capacitors
All Transformers Are Original
Original 10" CTS Speakers Dating To Early '65, Bottom Two Speakers Have Been Reconed
Updated 3-Prong AC Cord
Tested, Fully Functional And Sounds Great
Includes Original Footswitch
Available For Local... more
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Vintage 1965 Blackface Fender Super Reverb Tube Amp In Excellent Condition

Vintage 1965 Blackface Fender Super Reverb Tube Amp In Excellent Condition

Saint Augustine, Florida, 320**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2700

The product is a vintage 1965 Fender Super Reverb Tube Amp in excellent condition. This rare and highly collectible amp is sought after by musicians and vintage guitar enthusiasts for its classic blackface design and powerful sound. With its iconic Fender brand, specific model from 1965, and tube amp technology, this amp is sure to be a prized addition to any collection or performance setup
I bought this amp new The speaker grill was damaged when I moved to my new home It's all original ... more
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Vintage Fender Super Reverb Silver-to-Blackface Conversion 1971

Vintage Fender Super Reverb Silver-to-Blackface Conversion 1971

Great Neck, New York, 110**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2699

This Silver-to-Blackface conversion was done by Vintage Sound Amps in 2001 (url: vintagesoundamps). Though VSA make their own brand of hand-wired
versions of Fender amps, they also do Fender Silver-to-Blackface conversions,
which includes most everything such as a correct Blackface transformer and the correct Blackface tube bias circuit

Based on the transformer code and bias circuit inside the chassis (that I reviewed with the seller's amp tech and his amp book), this one... more
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1967 Fender Super Reverb 4x10" 2-Channel 40-Watt Electric Guitar Combo Amplifier

1967 Fender Super Reverb 4x10" 2-Channel 40-Watt Electric Guitar Combo Amplifier

Richmond, Virginia, 232**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

1967
Fender
Super Reverb
4 x 10" 2-Channel 40-Watt
Electric Guitar
Combo Amplifier
Used - Very Good Condition
The Fender Super Reverb was introduced in 1963 and features a built-in reverb and "vibrato" (actually tremolo). Its all-tube design and featured spring reverb is a favorite among blues guitarists due to its ability to deliver loud, warm tube distortion through its four 10" speakers. It is also known as having a scooped mids tonality, meaning that there is less ... more
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vintage 1979 tube  fender super reverb amp + extras!

vintage 1979 tube fender super reverb amp + extras!

Wickliffe, Ohio, 440**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

This wonderful amp comes with the original foot pedal, and the original protective cover.

Fully restored in 2021!
Here??s what was done:

- Completely recapped in 2021
- Used F&T electrolytic capacitors and Sprague Atoms
- These are high end parts (capacitors)
- Resistors checked and replaced as needed
- Replaced reverb tank
- Updated vibrato circuit according to Fender Service Bulletin #9
- Replaced parts in vibrato circuit
- Tested and ... more
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Vintage 1965 Blackface Fender Super Reverb Amp

Vintage 1965 Blackface Fender Super Reverb Amp

Fresno, California, 937**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

American Music proudly presents this beautiful 1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp!
Amp is 100% fully functional and has been fully tested, just shows minor cosmetic wear due to time. Previous owner was a stay at home player and kept his gear well protected
Make sure to contact us with any further questions
... more
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1967 Fender Super Reverb Blackface AB763 Vintage Tube Combo Amplifier

1967 Fender Super Reverb Blackface AB763 Vintage Tube Combo Amplifier

Rowlett, Texas, 752**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2300

New power tubes, clean vintage sound. Check photos. Local pick up only.
... more
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1966 Fender Super Reverb AB763 4x10" Combo Amplifier Black CBS

1966 Fender Super Reverb AB763 4x10" Combo Amplifier Black CBS

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

$2195

1966 Fender Super Reverb
This Amp Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Notable Cosmetic Surface Wear On Tolex And Grille Cloth
Recently Serviced With First Two Filter Caps Replaced
Speakers Replaced With Later Jensen C10M's Dating To 1971
Circuit Is Mostly Original As Shown
All Transformers Original
Replaced Power Cord Missing Ground Prong (See Photos)
Some Extra Screw Holes In Cabinet
Fully Functional And Sounds As ... 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.