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GIBSON | THIN ELECTRIC ACOUSTIC | ES-335TD

Gibson ES-335TD

Thinline semi-acoustic guitar

Gibson ES-335 description | Chronology and shipping figures | ES-335 controls
1965 Gibson ES-335TD
1965 Gibson ES-335TD vibrato tailpiece
1965 Gibson ES-335TD bridge humbucker
1965 Gibson ES-335TD heel
1965 Gibson ES-335TD body reverse
1965 Gibson ES-335TD headstock front
1965 Gibson ES-335TD headstock reverse
1965 Gibson ES-335TD with Bigsby vibrato tailpiece

Gibson ES-335TD catalog appearances

Gibson 1958 Electrics Catalogue
The ES-335T was first announced in the 1958 Gibson Electrics catalogue

...the ES-335T presents a striking appearance and sensational response. New body construction, with solid fitting neck, pickups and adjustable bridge, provides the solidity essential for clear, sparkling, sustaining tone
Gibson 1960 guitars and amplifiers catalogue
1960 Gibson guitars and amplifiers

A wonderful instrument with truly magical tone
Gibson 1962 guitars and amplifiers catalogue
1962 guitars and amplifiers catalogue

A newsmaker from it's first appearance, this model offers outstanding performance for ensembles, recording, radio and TV
Gibson 1964 Electrics catalogue
1964 Electrics

the new thin-body Gibson electric guitars provide new body-hugging comfort, plus unusually responsive action and free-playing performance
Gibson 1966 Full Line catalogue
Sales of the 335 were good in the latter part of the 1960s, with 1967 being the peak year. 1966 Gibson full line catalogue
Gibson 1975 thinline catalogue
The 1975 thinline catalogue with bluesman BB King on the front.
1978 Gibson catalogue
The minimalist 1978 electrics catalogue entitled Quality / Prestige / Innovation
1980 Gibson catalog
The 1980 'Gibson Guitar' catalogue was the last US Catalog appearance (excluding reissues by the current owners) of the ES-335TD, and the last to show Kalamazoo-built instruments
1981 Rosetti (UK) Gibson catalogue
The ES-335 was shown in the 1981 Rosetti (UK) Gibson catalogue alongside the 335 Dot and the 335 Pro

The Gibson ES-335 TD is one of those flagship models that spawned a thousand imitators, yet never lost its position amongst them. It was manufactured from 1958 until 1982, however various reissues and artist signature models have meant that it has effectively stayed in production ever since. Usually just referred to as a '335', the correct name ES-335TD, stood for Electric Spanish 335 thinline double pickup. Gibson ES guitars are great looking, superb playing instruments, and vintage ES-335TDs are highly prized amongst musicians and vintage guitar collectors alike.

Gibson ES-335 construction

The major innovation that made the 335 the ground-breaking instrument it was, was hidden in it's construction. Rather than being completely hollow, the guitar had a central maple block running the length of the guitar, below the pickups and bridge. This gave the bridge posts something to anchor into, increasing sustain, and giving some of the brighter tonal qualities of a solid body, whilst still retaining some of the mellow character of an acoustic. Furthermore it reduced feedback which had always been a problem with hollow bodies when turned up loud.

Gibson ES-335 specifications

The following description is taken from the 1970 Gibson thinline catalogue

Gibson ES-335 TDC

An outstanding performer for ensembles, recording, radio or TV and it sells for a very modest price. The thin double cutaway and fast, low-action neck allows easy access to upper register.

FEATURES: Curly maple arched top and back, chrome-plated metal parts. Slim, fast, low-action neck joins body at 20th fret. Laminated neck, adjustable truss rod. Rosewood fingerboard, pearl block inlays. Adjustable Tune-O-Matic bridge. Twin Humbucking pickups with separate tone and volume which can be pre-set. Three-position toggle switch to activate either or both pickups. 16" wide, 19" long, 1 ¾" thin; 24 ¾" scale, 22 frets.

ES-335TD - Sunburst finish
ES-335TDW - Walnut finish
ES-335TDC - Cherry finish

519 - Faultless plush-lined case
304 - Archcraft plush-lined case
ZC-19 Zipper cover for 519 case

1980 Gibson ES-335TD with coil tap switch
1980 Gibson ES-335TD with coil tap switch

In 1976, the ES-335 was given a coil-tap switch, allowing the pickups to work in single-coil or humbucking modes, see the 1978 Gibson catalogue.

From the beginning of 1979, a slightly more expensive version ($100 more, 1/1/79), and a guitar perhaps more suited to the times, the ES-335 Pro was launched. It had a stop tailpiece, speed knobs, dot (rather than block) position markers, and high-output 'dirty fingers' pickups.

The ES-335TD and ES-335 Pro were both withdrawn, their last inclusion in price lists being April 1981, with a replacement, the ES-335 dot (based on the 1961 ES-335TD) being launched the following year. As the name suggests, this had dot neck markers, and a more traditional Gibson mahogany neck.

Famous ES335 players include Eric Clapton, Larry Carlton and Alvin Lee.

Other similar guitars in the Gibson 300 series are the ES-335-12: a 12-string version of the 335, shipped between 1965 and 1970; also the Gibson ES330 with it's single coil pickups. The Gibson ES345, Gibson ES355 and Gibson ES355 stereo varitone were more ornate versions of the 335 - with stereo electronics and/or a number of cosmetic differences. A very similar guitar except for its 3" deep completely hollow body, the ES-150 DC was available from 1969-1979. Mention should also be made of the Epiphone Riviera, which was made with the 335 in the Gibson Kalamazoo factory, using the same tooling, techniques and quite a lot of the same components.

Other similar non-Gibsons include the Guild Starfire, Hagstrom Viking, Hofner Verithin

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Gibson ES-335TD guitars for sale

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1958 Gibson ES-335 TDN Vintage Semi-Hollow Blonde Thin Top w /  PAFs, Case

1958 Gibson ES-335 TDN Vintage Semi-Hollow Blonde Thin Top w / PAFs, Case

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

$85000

Up for sale, a 1958 Gibson ES-335 TDN in excellent condition and perfect working order, complete with its original PAF pickup pair and Lifton hardshell case. This golden age Gibson ES-335 hails from late in the first year of production, boasting a highly coveted early feature set including the three-ply Thin Top construction, rounded "Mickey Mouse Ear" body horns, dot inlay on the bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard, a one-piece Honduran mahogany neck with long tenon joint, and a pair of PAF ... more
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1961 Gibson ES-335TDC Cherry Red w / OHSC

1961 Gibson ES-335TDC Cherry Red w / OHSC

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

$54995

1961 Gibson ES-335TDC Cherry Red w / OHSC
This Guitars Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
The Instrument Is In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Original Cherry Red Finish Shows Slight Fading, Checking And Medium Cosmetic Playwear Throughout As Shown
Made In Kalamazoo, MI
Laminate Maple Semi-Hollow Body
Mahogany Neck With Bound Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard And Dot Inlays
Neck Shows Some Moderate Playwear On Back (As Shown)
... more
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1962 Gibson ES-335 Sunburst Semi-Hollowbody Guitar w / OHSC! -LL

1962 Gibson ES-335 Sunburst Semi-Hollowbody Guitar w / OHSC! -LL

Mesquite, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$40000


Item: 1962 Gibson ES-335 Sunburst Semi-Hollowbody Guitar w / OHSC!
Description: You are purchasing a 1962 Gibson ES-335 Sunburst Semi-Hollowbody Guitar with Original Hard Shell Case Changed Tuners. The Originals In Case Stress Crack On Neck BUT Not Broken This Gibson Has A Lot Of Mojo and Excellent Vibes Bridge and Tail Pieces Are Later 60's It Has A Beautiful Sunburst Finish Patent Applied For Pickups.
OHSC- Original Hard Shell Case. This Gibson Plays and Sounds Amazing Add This ... more
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1968 Gibson ES-335 Custom ordered Black

1968 Gibson ES-335 Custom ordered Black

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

$20900

1968 Gibson ES-335 Custom ordered factory Black finish, With Stereo and Varitoneswitch, Orange label, Resonant and lively sounding, Nice playing fast neck withlow action, Super cool and one of a kind! One owner, EC, Original hard case.... more
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Vintage 1965 Gibson ES-335 TDC - Incredible sound and playability

Vintage 1965 Gibson ES-335 TDC - Incredible sound and playability

Malibu, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$17500

Beautiful vintage 1965 Gibson ES-335 TD in original Cherry finish. Plays and sounds amazing! Please message us if you have any questions regarding our inventory
Neck Width Measurements
Nut: 1 5825
12: 1 950
Neck Thickness Measurement
1st: 8795
12th: .9875... more
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1970 Gibson ES-335 /  ES-355 Custom order

1970 Gibson ES-335 / ES-355 Custom order

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

$16995

1970 Gibson ES-335 / ES-355 Custom order, Rare model withbound Ebony board and Pearl block inlays, Rare Blonde finish, Gold Hardware, Varitone, Original Stereo cable, Two humbuckers, Trapeze tailpiece, Grovertuners, 1 & 11 / 16 inches wide at the nut, Exceptionally fine condition, Likely One of One, Original hard case with Purple lining, $15, 995
... more
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1970 Gibson ES 335 TD 12 String Guitar signed by BB King

1970 Gibson ES 335 TD 12 String Guitar signed by BB King

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

$16500

1970 Gibson ES 335 TD 12 String Beautiful vintage Guitar signed by BB King This is a very rare ES 335 TD 12 String. Vintage all original Beautiful condition with the aged old lacquer. I have owned this guitar for a long time Met BB king many years ago at his concert on New Years Eve at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. I was invited up to his room with his daughter. I saw him numerous times after that. I spent a lot of time in Memphis introducing my own guitars zuniguitars com and worked with... more
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1964 Gibson ES-335 Cherry Red Late 1964  /  Very Early 1965

1964 Gibson ES-335 Cherry Red Late 1964 / Very Early 1965

Henderson, Nevada, 890**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15890

For sale is a late '64 Gibson / early '65 ES-335. The "Bigsby" model ES 335s serialed in early 65 but with all 64 appointments were actually left overs from the recession year 1964. Nice wide fat neck, Nichel hardware, early pat numbered pickups, even '64 headstock angle and 64 style pebble case. It is essentially a 1964 and 10k less!
The guitar is all original except for perfect new frets and the back of the neck has been clear coated. It had a Bigsby on it
At one point the guitar had... more
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1966 Vintage Gibson ES-335 signed by Lorette Lynn BBKing Buddy Guy Flectones +4

1966 Vintage Gibson ES-335 signed by Lorette Lynn BBKing Buddy Guy Flectones +4

Hot Springs, Montana, 598**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11000

1966 Vintage Gibson ES-335 signed by 9 Music Legends w / JSA Auth. #XX28045. INCLUDING LORETTA LYNN!
The JSA Authentication was done on all 9 signatures.
Signed by B B. King in 1996; Buddy Guy in 1993; Loretta Lynn in 2012; Bela Fleck; Victor Wooten; Roy Wooten; Howard Levy and Jeff Coffin.
After I purchased this guitar I contacted Victor Wooten and he remembered signing it in 1993 when he and the Flectones all signed it.
In 2010 I brought the guitar to the Bing Crosby Theatre in... more
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1967 Gibson ES-335 TD Vintage Electric Guitar

1967 Gibson ES-335 TD Vintage Electric Guitar

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

$10400

1967 Gibson ES-335, Tobacco Sunburst, Rosewood fingerboardwith block inlays, Kluson tuners, Pat number sticker humbuckers, Trapezetailpiece, Low action, Lively instrument, EC, Original hard case
... more
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1969 Gibson ES-335 DCC  Vintage Guitar Cherry

1969 Gibson ES-335 DCC Vintage Guitar Cherry

Craigsville, West Virginia, 262**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9999

1969 Gibson ES 335 Serial No. 559054. This guitar is in very good condition with typical play wear, finish cracking and aged finish patina. Really nice example of a late 60's 335 with Patent No. pickups and nice neck. Includes an original case, as shown.... more
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1969 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red

1969 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red

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

$9499

1969 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red


Very fine example of a vintage ES-335 with the classic deep cherry finish with excellent wood grain throughout


Weight is 8 3 lbs


Please contact me prior to purchase to ensure and questions are answered. This guitar is also listed at pointguitars com and may be pulled from Reverb if it sells there. International shipping available

Overall, the condition is very good. This guitar is quite clean. ... more
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1967 Gibson ES-335 TD Sparkling Burgundy

1967 Gibson ES-335 TD Sparkling Burgundy

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

$8639

Up for sale is a stunning 1967 Gibson ES-335 TD in its original and rare Sparkling Burgundy finish. This example features a slim tapered neck profile with a 1 9 / 16th nut width, dual original Gibson patent sticker humbuckers, chrome hardware, Kluson double line / double ring tuners. This example is in great shape shy of a few modifications which are listed below. Weight: 8lbs. 4oz
Two additional screw holes from a left handed pickguard which was installed at some point. Plastic ring... more
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GIBSON ES-335 TD 1980 Kalamzoo Original

GIBSON ES-335 TD 1980 Kalamzoo Original

Highlands, New Jersey, 077**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8500

Gibson ES 335 1980Serial Number 83030007Kalamzoo MI
... more
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Gibson ES-335 TD Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (Cherry Stain) - VIntage 1974

Gibson ES-335 TD Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (Cherry Stain) - VIntage 1974

Fairport, New York, 144**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8500

VINTAGE - This 1974 Gibson ES-335 TD with its Cherry finish is in excellent condition and looks, plays and sounds Amazing. This 51 year old instrument was made in Kalamazoo, Michigan and is 100% all original with all original factory parts including trapeze tailpiece, double ring Gibson Deluxe tuners, ??witch hat?? knobs and two original ??PAT Stamped?? pickups
Comes with its original Gibson hardshell case
You are looking at serial number: 873262
IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP!
Includes... more
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1981 Gibson ES-335 "Moog Prototype" Big Blonde Bad Boy 1 of a kind & Minty !

1981 Gibson ES-335 "Moog Prototype" Big Blonde Bad Boy 1 of a kind & Minty !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8495


... more
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Gibson  ES 335 1968 Cherry

Gibson ES 335 1968 Cherry

Rochester, New York, 146**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7999

1968 Gibson-made ES 335 in fantastic playing, sounding, and aesthetic condition. This features a stunning cherry finish, block inlay, trapeze tailpiece, and original hard shell case. The only non-original parts found on this guitar are simply the strap buttons, as well as reissue tuning machine heads. Light scratches / dings can be found on the finish from its obvious age, the only significant flaw would be a slight crack on the back headstock tip (as pictured) not affecting the guitar's ... more
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1969 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red

1969 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red

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

$7959

1969 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red


Very fine example of a vintage ES-335 with the classic deep cherry finish with excellent wood grain throughout


Weight is 8 3 lbs.


Please contact me prior to purchase to ensure and questions are answered. This guitar is also listed at pointguitars com and may be pulled from Reverb if it sells there. International shipping available

Overall, the condition is very good. This guitar is quite clean.... more
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1966 Gibson ES-335-12

1966 Gibson ES-335-12

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

$7695

1966Gibson ES-335-12, Cherry Red, Patent number humbuckers and a semi hollow body providefor an excellent lively sound with plenty of jangle, Smooth playing with nicelow action, Super clean show room condition with clean original semi hard case
... more
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1977 Gibson Es335TD Sunburst

1977 Gibson Es335TD Sunburst

Crossville, Alabama, 359**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7500

This Gibson ES-335 guitar is a vintage gem from the 1979 model year. It features a semi-hollow body made of maple with a beautiful sunburst finish, and a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. With 22 frets and a 6-string configuration, this guitar is perfect for any right-handed player looking for a high-quality electric guitar.
The set includes a hard shell case and is made in the United States. This guitar is part of the Gibson ES series and is a must-have for any collector or musician ... more
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Find more Gibson ES-335TD guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

There are 4 comments on this article so far. Add your comment

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dan paves Comment left 2nd October 2018 00:12:54 reply
Have Gibson ES335TD E-8335TD, Serial number 523044 Would like to know year of manufacture.
Nate Decay Comment left 2nd March 2022 19:07:36 reply
Your Es335 is either a 1968 or a 74-75. If there is a "Made in USA" stamp under the serial its a 74-75. If it doesn't you can probably find more accurate info, but the 70's used randomized serial numbers and it makes accurate dating almost impossible.
lawrence Comment left 19th October 2016 09:09:04 reply
I have a relative that has 2 Gibson guitars. One is a 1976 ES-335 in walnut and the other is a 'BLONDE' ES 320 FROM 1972-73. I HAVE SEARCHED FOR INFO ON THE ES-320 BUT CANNOT FIND ANY INFO ON THAT ONE . any help would be great.
Nate Decay Comment left 2nd March 2022 19:07:58 reply
if you still have these guitars I can help you with info, I just need more info like the serial and condition etc. But as far as quick info, reverb has 2 1972 320's listed for about 3k. depends on the condition and color and all that. if you still are looking for info feel free to email me, I love diving into this stuff.

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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