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FENDER | BASS | PRECISION | TIMELINE (1960s)

Fender Precision bass timeline, 1960s

1950s | 1960s | 1970s

1960

14 custom colours now available
Price: $229.50 (custom colours $240.97)

1961

The red in the three tone sunburst is now 'redder'
Price: $229.50 (custom colours $240.97)


Fender custom colours 1961

1962

Rosewood fingerboard.
Price: $229.50 (custom colours $240.97)

1963

1963 1964 Fender Fine Electric Instruments catalog

shell pink withdrawn as a colour option
Price: $229.50 (custom colours $240.97)

1964

1964 1965 Fender Fine Electric Instruments catalog

Sherwood green metallic replaced by teal green
*Silver Fender decal thicker than previous "spaghetti" logo.
*Pearl fingerboard dots replace "clay" dots.
*Tortoise plastic three layer pickguard replaces celluloid.
Price: $229.50 (custom colours $240.97)

1965

1965 1966 Fender Fine Electric Instruments catalog

The yellow in the three tone sunburst is now 'yellower'
silver 'undercoat' on candy apple red instruments is now gold
Price: $223 (custom colours $234)

1966

From Arbiter the Most Wanted Guitar in Britain Today

Some custom colours are replaced, others are simply renamed
Price: $223 (custom colours $234)
Fender custom colours 1966

1966 Fender catalog

1967

Price: $234.50 (custom colours $246)

1968

Fender Precision bass featured in the 1968 -Fender on the go- catalog

See the 1968 'Fender on the go' catalog
*Black Fender decal.
*"F" style tuning gears replaces backward-tuning "no-name" Kluson gears.
*Polyester thick finish replaces nitrocellulose lacquer.
Price: $239.50 (blond and custom colours $251.50)

1968 Fender guitar and amplifier catalog

1969

Fender Precision bass featured in the 1969 -Fender lovin care- catalog

See the 1969 'Fender Lovin Care' catalog
Fiesta red dropped. New parts list published
Price: $279.50 for sunburst, and $293.50 for blond and custom colours

1969 Fender Lovin Care catalog
1969 Fender bass catalog
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1963 Fiesta Red Fender Precision Bass

1963 Fiesta Red Fender Precision Bass

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

$37600

1963 Fender Precision Bass, Very Rare! Fiesta Red finish, Greenpickguard, Nice Dark Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard, Clay dots, Spaghetti logo, Both covers, Fantastic instrument, Absolutely gorgeous, EC, Original White hardcase
... more
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1963 Fender Precision Bass Vintage Pre-CBS Olympic White 100% Original w /  Case

1963 Fender Precision Bass Vintage Pre-CBS Olympic White 100% Original w / Case

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

$20000

Up for sale, a 1963 Fender Precision Bass in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original blonde tolex hardshell case. A rare custom color Pre-CBS example finished in Olympic White with a Desert Sand base coat, this Precision is an extremely expressive instrument, with tonewoods comprising an alder body, maple neck, and a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Delivering a smooth, balanced natural acoustic sound, the split coil black bobbin pickup offers ... more
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original 1965 Fender Precision Bass custom color LAKE PLACID BLUE

original 1965 Fender Precision Bass custom color LAKE PLACID BLUE

Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$18900


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this original 1965 Fender Precision Bass in its original custom color Lake Placid Blue finish. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original and 100% complete along with its original chrome covers and original hardshell case. It's in great condition with some minor nicks + dings, finish checking and other minor cosmetic wear. There are some dark spots under the finish on the back of the neck. All ... more
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Vintage 1966 Fender Precision Bass w /  Original Hardshell Case NEAR MINT

Vintage 1966 Fender Precision Bass w / Original Hardshell Case NEAR MINT

Boca Raton, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15100

Offered here is a true closet queen.
An Original 1966 Fender Precision Bass in Sunburst finish
Comes in its original case and is in NEAR MINT Condition It has been stored in its case and never played by me as long as I've owned it, which is 40+ years It also has its original vintage Fender guitar strap Located in the U S. for easy shipping
See photos for accurate description.
An Original 1966 Fender Precision Bass in Sunburst finish.... more
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1966 Fender Precision Bass

1966 Fender Precision Bass

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

$12000



1966 Fender P-Bass in factory custom color Candy Apple Red !

Beautiful golden age P-bass that plays and sounds incredible

All original save for a repro pickup cover and the original owner had diamonds inlaid on the fingerboard but has since been replaced with factory dot inlays

This is a FANTASTIC Fender bass and you will not be disappointed

Thank you for looking!
... more
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FENDER PRECISION BASS 1963 SUNBURST pre CBS 1 OWNER CLEAN ORIGINAL!

FENDER PRECISION BASS 1963 SUNBURST pre CBS 1 OWNER CLEAN ORIGINAL!

Ferndale, Michigan, 482**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11500

Here we have one of the finest 1 owner examples of an early 1963 Fender Precision Bass we have had in quite a while. The bass is fully original except for some overspray on the back, and in well cared for stored away condition. Coming in from a small vintage estate as we just sold Grandpa's 1963' Blond Fender Bassman 2-12 Piggyback amp right here on Reverb just last week. Turns out he was a professional player back in the day and did few years with Loretta Lynn before she came to fame. The ... more
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Vintage Fender Precision Bass Sunburst 1968

Vintage Fender Precision Bass Sunburst 1968

Brookfield, Wisconsin, 530**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8999


Vintage Fender Precision Bass Sunburst 1968
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
100% original with an ultra cool, true vintage vibe! This bass has that perfectly well-played look about it that just cannot be replicated in any custom shop - this is the real deal folks! With a tight neck / body connection & a powerhouse pickup that delivers that signtuare rich, robust P-Bass tones. Professionally inspected & set up ready to play straight out of the ... more
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1963 Vintage Fender Precision Bass

1963 Vintage Fender Precision Bass

Omaha, Nebraska, 681**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6500


Time to sell some of the parts and basses accumulated during the last 50+ years of playing bass before the kids inherit gear they won??t know what to do with.
For auction is a 1963 Fender Precision bass. The bass was purchased from the original owner who had stripped the original Sonic Blue paint as you can see, except for under the pickguard, bridge and neckplate. That Sonic Blue remained when the bass was refinished Surf Green.
It is all original except for the nitro cellulose ... more
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1969 Fender Precision Bass Ocean Turquoise Vintage Bass w /  Case

1969 Fender Precision Bass Ocean Turquoise Vintage Bass w / Case

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

$5000

Up for sale, a 1969 Fender Precision Bass in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. Professionally refinished by Copasetic Customs in Ocean Turquoise Metallic nitro lacquer, this P Bass retains largey original hardware, outfitted with new electronics
Resonant and acoustically balanced at 8lbs 14oz, this Precision bass is strung with fresh 45-100 roundwound strings, loaded with a Fender Pure Vintage '62 black bobbin pickup. The instrument delivers a ... more
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1969 Fender Precision Bass

1969 Fender Precision Bass

Naples, Florida, 341**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4850

1969 Fender Precision bass with Fender padded gig bag.

Original finish on body and neck showing normal wear from playing 50 plus years. Original neck plate, strap buttons, string tree, pickups, 500k pots are 1966 as was normal for the late 60s fender guitars. Tuners and Bridge are original late 1960s CBS. Flame on backside of neck and Neck butt is dated 5APR69B. 10lbs5oz. Non original parts include pick guard, some screws, thumb rest, knobs and Fender gig bag.

Please ... more
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1962 Fender Precision Bass AVRI (No Case)

1962 Fender Precision Bass AVRI (No Case)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1800

This Fender Precision Bass is a vintage electric bass guitar from the year 1984. It features a solid body type with a red color and is perfect for right-handed players. The brand is Fender and its model is Fender Precision Bass. It belongs to the Vintage series and is great for those who love music and playing the bass guitar This bass guitar is in excellent condition and comes without a case. It is perfect for anyone who wants to add a high-quality vintage guitar to their collection or use it ... more
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Fender Precision Bass 1962 Rare with Original Case Pre-Owned

Fender Precision Bass '1962' Rare with Original Case Pre-Owned

Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5***, UNITED KINGDOM

£21000

Fender Precision Bass '1962' Rare with Original Case Pre-Owned. A truly rare guitar that not only shows it age over the years but shows its previous owner playing the actual guitar in 1966. This guitar is a must have for any collectors Pre-Owned condition rating - 4Serial Number 79289Made in California 5th September 1962The guitar comes with its original caseThe guitar has been serviced (cleaned and checked) by our in store luthier PaulThe guitar was played by a musician called 'Terry'. His ... more
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1966 Fender Precision Bass Body - Made in USA

1966 Fender Precision Bass Body - Made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

$6900

1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY USA :
* red colour on front side has faded, almost a 2 tone colour
* lots of wear around the body edges
* original pickguard, bridge, pots & knobs are included
* SEASONED TONE MACHINE !... more
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1966 Fender Precision Bass Body - Made in USA

1966 Fender Precision Bass Body - Made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

$6900

1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY USA :
* red colour on front side has faded, almost a 2 tone colour
* lots of wear around the body edges
* original pickguard, bridge, pots & knobs are included
* SEASONED TONE MACHINE !... more
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1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY USA

1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€6500

1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY USA :
* red colour on front side has faded, almost a 2 tone colour
* lots of wear around the body edges
* original pickguard, bridge, pots & knobs are included
* SEASONED TONE MACHINE !
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!
... more
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1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK USA

1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€6500

1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK USA :
* finish has tons of weather checking
* some finish chips
* new frets are installed
* plays like a CHAMP !
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!
... more
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1964 Fender Precision Basshals - Made in USA

1964 Fender Precision Basshals - Made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£5950

1964 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK USA :
* refinished, has a lot of laquer chips
* newer frets
* plays like a CHAMP !... more
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1963 Fender Precision, Pre-CBS, Dakota Red (Professional Relic-Refinish)

1963 Fender Precision, Pre-CBS, Dakota Red (Professional Relic-Refinish)

Chislehurst, BR7***, UNITED KINGDOM

£5750

Up for sale is my Pre-CBS, 1963 Fender Precision bass; mostly original, except for the professionally completed relic-refinish (done by the master: Joseph Kaye in London: Joe is a real artisan and his work is exceptionally well known, having built replicas of Wilko Johnson??s Black Telecaster (for Wilko himself), as well as basses for Norman Watt-Roy of the Blockheads).
The refinish was completed and aged over the course of a year, using original Fender techniques, including Nitro-Cellulose ... more
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1963 Fender Precision Bass Body - Made in USA

1963 Fender Precision Bass Body - Made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

$5000

1963 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY - made in USA :
* has a reglued seam around bridge=check last 5 pics
* lots of MOJO to GO
* sounds like a CHAMP !
* SOLD AS IS - NO RETURNS... more
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1963 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY USA

1963 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€5000

1963 FENDER PRECISION BASS BODY - made in USA :
* has a reglued seam around bridge=check last 5 pics
* lots of MOJO to GO
* sounds like a CHAMP !
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!
... more
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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 (seepage 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 Coloramawas the name UK distributorSelmergave 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 HofnerDiamond 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-respectedMatsumokuplant 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 IITheHofner Coloramawas the name given bySelmerto 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). TheMatsumokufactory had been producing guitars for export for some time, but the1820 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 GibsonMarauderbegan 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 theMarauder,S-1, andL-6S Custommixed in with brand new models theThe V,The Explorerand theFlying 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. The3263 basswas 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 AceTheVox Super Acewas 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-pickupVox 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 Basssupporting members area

1966 Vox New Escort

1966 Vox New EscortTheVox New Escortwas 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 guitarTheSymphonicbass was built in the UK, by Vox parent company JMI. It was the Vox equivalent to theFender Precisionbass, 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-style3264; and three Rickenbacker-styled semi-acoustic models: the six-string3261, the twelve string3262and the3263bass.Shaftesburywas the house-brand of major UK distributorRose-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, byEko

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. TheFender Precisionhad 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 StrollerTheVox Strollerwas 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 theVox Clubman IIbass, 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 GibsonES Artistlaunched 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 toLaVonne Musicby 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 PresidentThePresidentwas 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 newJaguar.

1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manual

1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manualThe newly designedLes Paul Recordingguitar was released in 1971, in many ways as an updated version of the Les Paul Professional that had debuted two years earlier in 1969. The new guitar came with a new owners manual explaining the (somewhat complicated) controls, their operation, and giving other specifications, including recommended strings, action and control settings. Compare with the broadly similar owners manual for theLes Paul Personal / Professional