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FENDER | CATALOGS | 1969 | PAGE 4

Fender Telecaster, Fender Esquire, Fender 12-String

1969 Fender Lovin' Care guitar, bass and amp catalog - page 4

Page 4 gives descriptions of three Fender solid body guitars, with the accompanying image on the next page. These are the single pickup Fender Esquire, the dual pickup Fender Telecaster, and the final catalog appearance of the Electric 12-String. Several versions of each of these guitars were listed in 1969, with differing levels of ornamentation and fretboard woods.

In May 1969 the standard price of the Esquire was $224.50 in blonde finish with a maple fretboard, rising to $259.50 for the Esquire Custom, which had a nice sunburst finish and white binding, and $272.50 for other custom finishes. Likewise the Telecaster was available in several configurations. The basic unbound blonde Tele was listed at $269.50, or $279.50 with a maple fretboard; the Sunburst Telecaster Custom (with bound body) $299.50. Two other variants of the Telecaster are listed in the May 1969 Fender price list that are not mentioned here: a Paisley / Floral finished Tele also at $299.50, and the solid Rosewood Tele at $375.

These were, of course, the base prices, and optional extras were available for all Esquire and Telecaster guitars. A Bigsby tremolo was available for an additional $55, a maple fretboard or DuPont custom finish for an extra 5%, left handed models an extra 10%, gold plated hardware an extra 15%. Note that the standard Telecaster neck width was 1 5/8", though 1 1/2" and 1 3/4" necks are described here by special order.

The Fender Electric XII is not listed in 1969 Fender price lists, but had a late 1968 price of $329.50 with a sunburst finish, or $346 for Custom / Blonde finish.

US prices excluding cases (typically $62.50 extra).

When it's time for a session... a first side, a flip side, or a fiftieth album... musicians select one of the fender classics: Telecaster, Telecaster with Bigsby Tremolo, Esquire or 12-string Electric. When the pros are there, so is Fender. Sound men on both sides of the mike agree, with a Fender, it's a hit.

1969 Fender catalog, page 4 - Fender Telecaster, Fender Esquire, Fender 12-String
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vintage 1968 FENDER TELECASTER w /  original case

vintage 1968 FENDER TELECASTER w / original case

Daytona Beach, Florida, 321**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5500

Here is a vintage 1968 Fender Telecaster, body refinished natural semi-professionally, neck pro refinished and refretted years ago, also relogoed, the tuners, jack plate and bridge pickup were replaced, all else appears to be original as far as I can tell, one of the Ping Deluxe tuners has a little extra play in it but it still stays in tune well, I've had no trouble with it, there is a small hole for a 2nd string tree on the headstock, not sure if that was added or original, bridge has some ... more
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Vintage! 1972 Fender Telecaster Custom Electric Guitar Blonde + OHSC

Vintage! 1972 Fender Telecaster Custom Electric Guitar Blonde + OHSC

Thousand Oaks, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3995



Vintage! 1972 Fender Telecaster Custom Electric Guitar Blonde + OHSC

Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1972 Fender Telecaster Custom Electric Guitar with a Blonde Finish! Keith Richards and Rich Robinson fans rejoice! This 1972 Fender Tele Custom has seen it all, with decades of natural wear to prove it. The combination of the original wide range hum bucker and the traditional single coil bridge pickup is remarkably versatile, allowing ... more
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Unplayed! Fender Ltd Ed CS 1953 Telecaster Heavy Relic Butterscotch Blonde +OHSC

Unplayed! Fender Ltd Ed CS 1953 Telecaster Heavy Relic Butterscotch Blonde +OHSC

Thousand Oaks, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3695



Unplayed! Fender Ltd Ed CS 1953 Telecaster Heavy Relic Butterscotch Blonde +OHSC

Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 2024 Fender Limited Edition Custom Shop 1953 Telecaster Heavy Relic Electric Guitar with an Aged Butterscotch Blonde Finish! If you've longed to get your hands on an early Telecaster, here's your chance. The Fender Custom Shop 1953 Telecaster is as close to the genuine article as you can get without taking out a second ... more
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Vintage 1967 - 1972 Fender Stratocaster Telecaster Hard Case Tail Logo Very Nice

Vintage 1967 - 1972 Fender Stratocaster Telecaster Hard Case Tail Logo Very Nice

Spokane, Washington, 992**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$646

The product is a vintage 1967-1972 Fender Stratocaster Telecaster electric guitar, featuring a classic black body color and a right-handed orientation. This 6-string guitar is part of the Fender Stratocaster series, known for its iconic sound and playability. The hard case with the tail logo adds a touch of vintage charm to this classic model, making it a desirable choice for guitar enthusiasts and collectors alike
... more
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Fender 1975 Maple Telecaster Neck

Fender 1975 Maple Telecaster Neck

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

$1090

Gibson Dependable
Home of the most First and most Dependable Gibson parts on Ebay
U S.A. and Worldwide Bidders Welcomed
How many of you guitar enthusiast out there have always wanted to build yourselves that awesome project guitar, but didn??t want to spend the money on a full guitar only to dismantle it. Well, here is your opportunity do so. We sell high end name brand parts and project guitars specifically for the purpose of building your own custom one off guitar
Description: ... more
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Fender 1975 White Blonde Telecaster Ash Body

Fender 1975 White Blonde Telecaster Ash Body

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

$1190

Gibson Dependable
Home of the most First and most Dependable Gibson parts on Ebay
U S.A. and Worldwide Bidders Welcomed
How many of you guitar enthusiast out there have always wanted to build yourselves that awesome project guitar, but didn??t want to spend the money on a full guitar only to dismantle it. Well, here is your opportunity do so. We sell high end name brand parts and project guitars specifically for the purpose of building your own custom one off guitar
Description: ... more
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1980 Fender set Deluxe guitar tuners tuning pegs Stratocaster Telecaster

1980 Fender set Deluxe guitar tuners tuning pegs Stratocaster Telecaster

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 481**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$80

Up for your consideration is a complete set of tuners from a 1980 Fender Stratocaster ??Strat??. Great condition with no issues. Ships Worldwide USPS. Thanks for looking and check out my other listing for more vintage items
... more
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TW0 2 -Fender Japan JV Vintage Telecasters 4 digit 1982 w / gig bags & catalogues

TW0 2 -Fender Japan JV Vintage Telecasters 4 digit 1982 w / gig bags & catalogues

Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5989

This is a a first for TOMMYGUITARS com to list two JV Fender Japan Vintage Telecasters dating to 1982 at the same time. This is a bundle set. Both guitars are 4 digit and have their original parts. We have lots of JV Fender guitars in stock, if there is something you??re looking for, drop us a line here or at our shop??s page on the web. Talk to you soon.... more
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Fender Telecaster 1972 Natural, $3800 or Best Offer

Fender Telecaster 1972 Natural, $3800 or Best Offer

West Babylon, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

For sale is my cherished 1972 Fender Telecaster. I bought this guitar second-hand from a friend in 1977. Pickups are Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders, Schaller tuning machines, 4-way pickup selector allows playing with pickups in series, tortoise shell pickguard. In VG condition. Includes hard shell case, very clean.... more
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Fender American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster - Red Transparent 2024 Mint Condition

Fender American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster - Red Transparent 2024 Mint Condition

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, 719**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1635

I have had this guitar just a little while. It is in mint condition aside from light swirl marks that are inherent on Fender guitars with a nitro finish. I've had 3 and they all arrive from the factory with these marks from movement in the case. This is a remarkable guitar and I love the mahogany body, but I haven't picked it up to play in so long because I just have too many guitars and need to downsize. Please feel free to ask any questions. The guitar comes with everything in the ... more
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Fender 1983 Elite Telecaster  Electric Guitar Modified Great Player. W / Ohsc

Fender 1983 Elite Telecaster Electric Guitar Modified Great Player. W / Ohsc

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

$1750

Fender 1983 Elite Telecaster Electric Guitar Modified Great Player. W / Ohsc. This guitar has had a set of humbuckers installed in it. And a couple added toggle switches for coil splitting. The guitar is in great condition for the age. Showing minimal signs of fretware. And some light scratching here and there. Guitar sounds in place. Phenomenal with the humbuckers. Includes the original hard shell case. Will ship FedEx ground fully insured with tracking shipping to the lower 48 states only. No... more
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1977 Fender Telecaster Deluxe Project

1977 Fender Telecaster Deluxe Project

West Columbia, South Carolina, 291**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$68

1977 Fender Telecaster Deluxe Project up for grabs. I bought this from a major guitar retailer online. It played well enough, but upon closer inspection the nut had been previously replaced in quite a spectacular way. I will let the pictures do the talking. Please look at them carefully. It will take a skilled luthier to fix it, but it can definitely be done. The wiring harness was also a rats nest of electrical tape and silicone caulking. I removed it all and cleaned up the wiring of the ... more
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Fender USA American Professional Telecaster Electric Guitar + Vintage Style Case

Fender USA American Professional Telecaster Electric Guitar + Vintage Style Case

Larkspur, California, 949**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

Plays great when setup properly. The action and intonation still need to be setup

The body is 2 piece, but they blended it so well you really can??t tell unless you scrutinize it with a pro eye. This is also likely why this guitar has such great sustain

Some of the blemishes pictured can be buffed out, some can??t

There are two noticeable holes on the under side of the bridge. This is from adding a bridge with 6 saddles. I??m including that bridge in case,... more
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1975 Fender Telecaster Thinline Vintage Semi-Hollow Guitar Natural Ash w /

1975 Fender Telecaster Thinline Vintage Semi-Hollow Guitar Natural Ash w /

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

$6500

Up for sale, a 1975 Fender Telecaster Thinline in near-mint condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This second iteration of the Thinline model was introduced in ?72, loaded with a pair of Seth Lover-designed CuNiFe Wide Range humbuckers
Weighing only 7lbs 3oz, the ash body offers ample midrange detail, treble cut and round punch, complemented by the smooth, airy nature of the semi-hollow construction. The Wide Range humbuckers deliver some of the ... more
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Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster 6-String Guitar (Butterscotch Blonde)

Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster 6-String Guitar (Butterscotch Blonde)

Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2156

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Fender Telecaster 1975 with Factory Tremolo - Used with Hardshell Case

Fender Telecaster 1975 with Factory Tremolo - Used with Hardshell Case

Rapid City, South Dakota, 577**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5500

 
-YOU ARE VIEWING PHOTOS OF THE ACTUAL GUITAR BEING SOLD!
 
This used 9 2lb Fender will ship insured, fully setup, and inspected from our Rapid City, SD location. This used guitar is in excellent condition with various dents, dings, scratches, and cracks. Additional photos have been added to showcase various parts of this vintage guitar. For full condition, refer to photos
 
Buy risk free with our 14 day - full refund, less shipping, return policy   Check out our shop ... more
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Used Fender Custom 1960 Telecaster NOS Rosewood - Fiesta Red

Used Fender Custom 1960 Telecaster NOS Rosewood - Fiesta Red

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3199


Used Fender Custom 1960 Telecaster NOS Rosewood - Fiesta Red
A used Fender Custom 1960 Telecaster NOS. This is a showroom model that has seen almost no use and is in fantastic condition. The guitar will ship with all original factory documentation and packaging. Additionally, before shipment our luthiers will provide a professional inspection and full setup, so it arrives ready to play. If you have any questions about this instrument or any of our great gear, please send us a ... more
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1979 Fender Stratocaster  /  Telecaster OHSC Vintage Case Excellent Condition

1979 Fender Stratocaster / Telecaster OHSC Vintage Case Excellent Condition

Pooler, Georgia, 313**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

1979 Fender Stratocaster / Telecaster Original Hardshell Case. Great shape, very low use. Non-smoker. Ships next day Mon-Fri.
... more
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Vintage 1973 Fender Telecaster Thinline Natural

Vintage 1973 Fender Telecaster Thinline Natural

Birmingham, Michigan, 480**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

Nice example of a 1973 Tele Thinline featuring dual Wide Range humbucking pickups
Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz
Condition: Good++. Player grade with a handful of nicks, dings, scratches, etc. Body has been routed (see photos), one pot has been replaced, refretted
... more
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Fender American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster Thinline 3-Color Sunburst

Fender American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster Thinline 3-Color Sunburst

La Vergne, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2080

Weight 8lbs 4oz
Up for sale is a Fender American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster Thinline in 3-Color Sunburst. The guitar is in great shape! The electronics have been play tested and are working as intended. There may be some very light surface scratching but is in overall excellent condition. The guitar includes a Fender hardshell case
Description
The Fender® American Vintage II series presents a remarkably accurate take on the revolutionary designs that altered the course of musical ... more
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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

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1971 Epiphone 1802T

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1971 Shaftesbury 3400

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1981 Gibson Victory MVX

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1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogue

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A World of Guitars by Rosetti - 1971

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

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1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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1960 Hofner Colorama II

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1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

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1970s Shaftesbury 3263 bass

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

1961 Hohner Zambesi

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

1963 Vox Super Ace

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

1966 Vox New Escort

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

1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

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

1973 Eko Ranger Folk

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

1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

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

1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

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

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

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

1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

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

1972 Fender Precision bass

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

1967 Vox Stroller

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

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

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

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

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