Vintage Guitars
I'm happy with this
This website uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse traffic. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. See terms and conditions
GIBSON | SOLID BODY | LES PAUL | LES PAUL RECORDING

Gibson Les Paul Recording

Low impedance electric solid body

Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar
Model: Les Paul Recording
Pickups: Two low impedance humbuckers
Scale: 24 3/4"
Body: British Honduras mahogany, 17 7/8" long, 13 1/2" wide, 1 3/4" deep at the rim.
Neck: Three piece laminate mahogany, rosewood fretboard. 22 frets. Width at nut 1 11/16"
Hardware: Tune-o-matic bridge. Schaller M6 or Grover 102 tuning keys
Finishes: Natural Mahogany, White (from mid-1975), Cherry Sunburst (from mid-1976), Ebony and Walnut (from 1978)

The Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar evolved from a couple other models, first produced in the late sixties. These were pivotal times for the world guitar markets. Mass production was becoming the norm, and American guitar companies were struggling to compete with their cheaper Japanese rivals. Gibson did not stop experimenting, however, and guitars such as the Les Paul Personal, and Les Paul Professional (with a matching Les Paul Bass) appeared, sporting novel electronics combined with the quality of materials and craftsmanship that Gibson was famous for. These were low impedance instruments designed specifically for recording; 'a guitar that can virtually produce any sound that you would want'. Les Paul describes the thinking behind this series

For years i've worked to produce a multitude of distinctive guitar sounds. The hang-up was to obtain everything in one guitar, now i'm not talking about gimmickry, i'm talking about the real McCoy; authentic guitar sounds, the type of highs that can rip your ears off, the type of bass response that's clean and clear. Every note must be balanced and offer maximum sustain.

1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manual - front cover

Gibson changed hands in December 1969, and number of models changed significantly over the next few years; the Les Paul Bass and Professional guitar were redesigned to become the Les Paul Recording guitar and Les Paul Triumph bass respectively. Gone was the dark Walnut finish, in favour of a much lighter Natural Mahogany, and the weight was also reduced somewhat. Functionally the instruments were unchanged though - with one important caveat - the original low impedance instruments required a transformer cable to produce a suitable signal for normal (high impedance) amplifiers. These new guitars had the transformer built into the guitar - activated via the hi/lo impedance switch. The controls are a little complicated and a new owners manual was also printed in 1971.

To produce a truly fine instrument like the new Les Paul Recording guitar, you need more than just fine materials. You need expert innovators, skilled craftsmen and knowledgeable engineers inside and out.
You also need a man who is an expert in the guitar field to advise and recommend features and specifications that will cause the finished product to be unique and distinctive.
Gibson long recognized as the world's leading guitar manufacturer, met these requirements when they combined their talents with the knowledgeable recommendations of a man who has come to be known to millions of music lovers as "Mr. Guitar" ...Les Paul

Les Paul Recording guitar: Low Impedance for High Performance

The Les Paul Recording was launched in 1971, first appearing in Gibson price lists in June of that year. The launch price of $625 was higher than that of the Les Paul Custom ($595), but in between the previous prices for the Personal and Professional that it replaced ($690 and $525 respectively, Sept 1970). According to published shipping statistics, 236 guitars left the Gibson Kalamazoo plant.

1971 Gibson Les Paul low impedance catalogue

The 1971 brochure produced to accompany the launch was entitled Low Impedance for High Performance included an interesting flexi-disc demonstration of some of the many sounds possible. The disc was narrated by Les Paul himself, and guitars were played by Bruce Bolen. Side one featured the Les Paul Recording guitar, whilst side 2 featured a track named Tomorrow, today recorded by Bruce Bolen using both instruments. Have a listen

Tomorrow, today

The rest of the clips can be heard here.


1971/72 Gibson Les Paul Recording promotional material

March & April are Les Paul months!

Sales in 1972 were moderate - 1314 guitars shipped. Far better than 1971, but by comparison the Les Paul Custom, Deluxe and Standard shipped 4062, 5194 and 1046 units respectively.

There was big drive for the new models in early 1972, with a Gibson dealer letter declaring March & April are Les Paul months!. Gibson distributed the brochures with flexi-disc to all it's dealers, as well as including it in a special centerfold in Guitar Player magazine - the letter to dealers read...

How would you like to hear these instruments? We have made it possible for you to hear the Les Paul Recording guitar and Les Paul Triumph bass by simply turning on your record player. Attached you will find a beautiful brochure illustrating each instrument in vivid color. In the brochure you will find a record narrated by the creator himself, Mr. Les Paul!

1972 Gibson LP recording guitar

To aid you in selling these "versatile" new instruments, the widely circulated Guitar Player magazine will feature each of these instruments in the April issue, which is now being mailed to 70,000 readers. During the months of March and April, literally thousands of readers will be reading about these fantastic instruments, and better yet, listening to the Les Paul record which will be attached to the centerfold ad.

In 1972 Gibson also included the Recording as part of it's Guitar of the Month series - The Gibson Les Paul Recording Showcase - mostly alongside fine electric acoustic models. See the rest of the showcase series flyers here.


Controls for the Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar

Les Paul Recording Controls

Bass, Treble and Volume Self explanatory. The bass and treble have a very wide range, but most importantly work independently from each other, dialing in more treble does not affect the level of bass, and vice versa

Decade Control This eleven position switch tunes or alters the treble harmonics. Produce "biting" or "silky" highs with simplicity.

Phase Control Only works when both pickups are selected.

Impedance Selector Hi for live use or Low for studio use (or live use with a Low-Impedance amplifier).

Tone Selector Three settings: 1, 2, and 3. This switch does not actually change the tone produced by the instrument per se.. it acts as a bypass, inactivating certain controls - hence allowing quick and reversible changes between settings that would otherwise be impossible particular in a live setting. In position 2 (middle), nothing is bypassed. All controls function as described above. In position 1 the pickup selector switch and treble and bass controls are inactive - both pickups are selected by default. In position 3 only the treble and bass controls are bypassed. These controls are explained in detail on pages 2 and 3 of the Les Paul Recording owners manual.

1978 Gibson Les Paul Recording description of controls - image and key

Around 1976, the control layout of the Les Paul Recording changed. It was somewhat tidier with the four control pots in a row, and with the hi/lo impedance switch removed in favour of two separate output jacks, one for high, one for low impedance - and both situated on the guitar edge rather than mounted into the front of the guitar on the control plate. What's more, the pickup selector switch was moved from the control plate to the top edge of the guitar's body - the typical location of this switch in other Les Paul models. The 1978 control description flyer (reproduced here) details the later period Recording guitar controls. Note that although functionally identical, the tone switch positions are numbered in reverse order to the previous version.

1975 Gibson Les Paul catalogue
Gibson 1978 full line catalogue

Left: Keith Richards on the cover of the 1975 Gibson Les Paul brochure. Right: the 1978 Gibson Quality / Prestige / Innovation catalogue

The Les Paul Recording was shipped from 1971, with the strongest sales in 1973. Unfortunately they dropped of throughout the 1970s; the model was last included in the 1978 Gibson catalogue, but only remained in price lists until January 1979. The Les Paul Recording was still shipped, however, at least until 1980, in very small numbers - possibly even later.

Les Paul Recording Shipping Totals

A total of 5380 Recording guitars were shipped between 1971 and 1979.

1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
236 1314 1759 915 204 332 362 180 78

Les Paul Recording Guitar Advertising

Electric guitar advertisements originally published from 1972 onwards. Click on the images for larger copies. Check out other vintage Gibson advertisements

Gibson Les Paul Recording - Say it All With the New Les Paul

Gibson Les Paul Recording - Say it All With the New Les Paul (1972)
Early seventies advertisement for the Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar

Gibson's new Les Paul Recording turns on more guitar sounds than there are guitars! It's the first computer-like guitar...
[more]

Gibson Les Paul Recording - If You Ever Lost a Les Paul, You

Gibson Les Paul Recording - If You Ever Lost a Les Paul, You'd Just Have to Buy Another (1972)
Early seventies British advert for the Les Paul Recording guitar, by Selmer, UK Gibson distributors at the time.

A Gibson Les Paul electric guitar is unique. And when you've played it nothin...
[more]

Gibson Les Paul Recording - Show us a man whos too good for a Gibson Les Paul

Gibson Les Paul Recording - Show us a man whos too good for a Gibson Les Paul (1974)
UK ad for the Triumph bass and Les Paul Recording guitar. The add was produced by Selmer who were the British distributors of Gibson Instruments.
...he's flipped. Because the world's greates...
[more]

Got an opinion on the contents of this page? Disagree with something written above? Please comment

Gibson Les Paul Recording for sale

Vintageguitarandbass.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.
Vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording Walnut 1972

Vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording Walnut 1972

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499


Vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording Walnut 1972
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
A wonderful player with a true vintage vibe. Designed with the studio in mind, the Les Paul Recording houses a myriad of tonal possibilities, including phase switching & hi-lo output selection. The low impedance pickups deliver some very interesting tones along with the help of bass, treble, decade & volume controls. 3-way pickup & tone selection options round ... more
eBay logo
Vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording Walnut 1971

Vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording Walnut 1971

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2999


Vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording Walnut 1971
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
A superb sounding Les Paul Recording with an ultra cool, true vintage vibe. Designed with the studio in mind, the Les Paul Recording houses a myriad of tonal possibilities, including phase switching & hi-lo output selection. The low impedance pickups deliver some very interesting tones along with the help of bass, treble, decade & volume controls. 3-way pickup & ... more
eBay logo
1973 Gibson Les Paul Recording, Restored without modification to body

1973 Gibson Les Paul Recording, Restored without modification to body

Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, 193**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

For sale is a used 1973 Gibson Les Paul recording. The body / neck is all original and has not been modified. I bought the husk from gibsondependable here on eBay with intentions to restore it. The only "modification" to the body is an additional strap button hole that had been drilled at some point by the neck joint, which was on the guitar when I got it. I also believe there may have been one or two extra screw holes that were drilled under the control cavity plate that are covered
All... more
eBay logo
1972 Gibson Les Paul Professional Walnut w / OHSC

1972 Gibson Les Paul Professional Walnut w / OHSC

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

$4495

1972 Gibson Les Paul Professional Walnut
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
The Instrument Is In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
2-Piece "Pancake" Mahogany Body In Walnut FInish Showing Some Playwear Including Marks, Dings And Scratches (As Shown)
Wear On Cutaway Showing Slight Finish Touch Up (As Shown)
3-Piece Mahogany Neck w / Rosewood Fretboard
Original Pearloid Trapezoid Inlays
Original Frets Are In Good Playable Condition
Headstock ... more
eBay logo
Gibson Les Paul Professional 1970 players grade, free shipping NA w Buy it Now

Gibson Les Paul Professional 1970 player's grade, free shipping NA w Buy it Now

Mississauga, Ontario, L5N***, CANADA

C $3800

She really is something special. But she's not perfect. Includes the cable and adapter that came with it. Case is original, as pictured. A wonderful landmark guitar
Player's grade, but probably on the high side of that. I would play this on stage no hesitation. Very few significant visible dings.
Head stock repair - yes, but an amazing job. I don' t know who did it, but they are gifted. And yes, I know the difference.
Finish checking - everywhere, looks supercool, even on the neck. I... more
eBay logo

Find more Gibson Les Paul Recording for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

There are 3 comments on this article so far. Add your comment

Comment on this article

Name
Email address
Anti-spam question - to catch web robots
How many legs does a duck have?
John Creech Comment left 18th April 2015 06:06:30 reply
I've got a Les Paul Recording Bass Serial #173955 and was supposed to be a 1982 model that I found out supposedly 44 of them were made including my natural and a white one also! They couldn't tell me how many of each were made but mine is of a natural finish! Could anyone tell me what year date and any details about this instrument!! Even in 1982 it was about $1650.00 case and all and I would like to know more about it!! It's in perfect shape and even had a brass nut added to it by Gibson themselves which could make it very unique!! HELP!
BaddiH Comment left 30th July 2012 05:05:59 reply
Best guitar i've ever played. Great to see all that old literature. Mine has serial number 737189 or maybe 139. I think it is an early 70s model as it has the two post bridge rather than the three post. Can you confirm date at all? Any tone you want. BH
Normondo Comment left 17th December 2016 02:02:02 reply
700000 numbers are 70-73 You mention a possible second number of 139. Is this a stamped in number, under the "made in USA" but done after the finish was applied and cured?

Contact
info@vintageguitarandbass.com

mailing list

Follow

Facebook  Instagram  YouTube

Other Great Sites

Recent posts on vintage guitar and bass

1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass

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

1973 Shaftesbury 3400

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

1971 Epiphone 1802T

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

1971 Shaftesbury 3400

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

1981 Gibson Victory MVX

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

1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogue

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

A World of Guitars by Rosetti - 1971

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

1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1961 Hofner Colorama I

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

1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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

1960 Hofner Colorama II

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

1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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

1981 Gibson Marauder

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

1971 'Pick Epiphone' Catalog

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

1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

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

1970s Shaftesbury 3263 bass

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

1961 Hohner Zambesi

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

1963 Vox Super Ace

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

1966 Vox New Escort

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

1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

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

1973 Eko Ranger Folk

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

1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

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

1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

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

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

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

1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

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

1972 Fender Precision bass

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

1967 Vox Stroller

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

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

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

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

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