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 | CATALOGS | 1964 | PAGE 7

Gibson ES335TD, ES330TD, ES125TC and ES125TDC

1964 Gibson electric guitars catalog page 7

Gibson 1964 Guitar and Bass catalog. Page 7. Continuing the electric Spanish thinline series of guitars from the previous page. Three thinline guitars are shown, the Gibson ES-335TD, ES-330TD, and two versions of the thinline cutaway ES-125, the single pickup ES-125TC and the double pickup ES-125TDC.

These were the semi-acoustic instruments that sold so well in the 1960s. Work horse guitars, that appeared less often in the hands of jazz musicians, and more with the many rock and roll and beat bands emerging worldwide. They were markedly less expensive than the Artist series guitars of previous pages, but still with a very hefty price tag for the time.

There are some significant changes in the images used in this catalog compared to the listing in the previous (1962) catalog - firstly the ES-330 is shown with metal P90 pickup covers, but also the 330 and 335 are shown here with block neck inlay markers, as opposed to the dot markers used previously.

1966 zone 1 US prices are as follows: ES-335TD $340 (Cherry finish $355), ES-330TD $310 (Cherry finish $325), ES-125TC $240 and ES-125TDC $275.

1964 Gibson electric guitars catalog, page 7: Gibson ES335TD, ES330TD, ES125TC and ES125TDC
Got an opinion on the contents of this page? Disagree with something written above? Please comment

2025 Vintage Guitar price guide 2025 Vintage Guitar price guide

Need the value of your guitar? The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2025 is out now: Amazon


Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster 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.
Used 1960 Gibson ES-330 Hollowbody in Tobacco Sunburst

Used 1960 Gibson ES-330 Hollowbody in Tobacco Sunburst

Highland Park, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8395

This Used 1960 Gibson ES-330 Hollowbody in Tobacco Sunburst is here on consignment. No serial number. The pickguard, bracket, and screws on them are not original. The bracket is chrome, not nickel. The P-90 pickup has part of the bobbin missing from it which you can see in the pics. It works fine, though, the rest of the electronics are original as well. The tuners are original though the A tuner is slightly bent while the B tuner is more bent. Both are still functional. The frets are rather ... more
eBay logo
1966 Gibson ES-330 TDC Cherry Vintage Electric Guitar Excellent w / Pro setup OHSC

1966 Gibson ES-330 TDC Cherry Vintage Electric Guitar Excellent w / Pro setup OHSC

Hopewell, New Jersey, 085**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5825

1966 Gibson ES-330 TDC Cherry Vintage Electric Guitar Excellent condition straight neck & very low playing time on this one. She sports a pro setup with low action. The Original Hard Shell Case well worth $500 on its own. Excellent Condition and new strings 10's. In this condition they are rare as this is one of 1151 Cherry ES-330 TDC's produced in 1966. The serial number is 887311. The neck joint at the 16th fret confirms she was born in 1966. Polished , neck lemon oiled, new set of ... more
eBay logo
original 1962 Gibson ES-330 Sunburst

original 1962 Gibson ES-330 Sunburst

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

$8190


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1962 Gibson ES-330 in its original Sunburst finish. It has a great playing neck with good frets. It's all original and 100% complete. The pictured period correct Gibson hardshell case is included, but it housed a guitar with a Bigsby at one time. This ES-330 is in great condition with only some minor nicks + dings, finish checking and other cosmetic wear. The guitar itself remains structurally sound with no ... more
eBay logo
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
eBay logo
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
eBay logo
1976 Gibson ES-335TD Walnut w / HSC

1976 Gibson ES-335TD Walnut w / HSC

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

$4695

1976 Gibson ES-335TD In Walnut Finish
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Finish Shows Checking, Some Clouding, And Cosmetic Playwear Throughout Including Various Dings, Marks And Scratches
Grover Tuners Previously Installed, Originals Back On
D-String Tuner Shaft Slightly Bent But Functions As Intended
Chrome Hardware Shows Oxidation Throughout
Finish Touch-Up Near Upper Bout F Hole As Shown
Finish Wear Near ... more
eBay logo
1972 Gibson ES-335TDW Walnut w / OHSC

1972 Gibson ES-335TDW Walnut w / OHSC

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

$4195

1972 Gibson ES-335TDW In Walnut Finish
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Burbank
In Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Professionally Repaired Headstock With Finish Touch-Up In That Area
Replaced Fingerboard With Multi-Ply Binding And Pearl Dot Inlays
Finish Shows Cosmetic Play Wear Throughout Including Various Dings, Marks And Scratches
Replaced Seymour Duncan Humbuckers
Newer Reproduction Tuners And Gold Bonnet Knobs
Made In USA
Semi-Hollow Laminate ... more
eBay logo
Vintage! 1974 Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Walnut + Case

Vintage! 1974 Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Walnut + Case

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

$4995



Vintage! 1974 Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Walnut + Case

Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1974 Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar with a Walnut Finish! Like the Les Paul, the ES-335 stands as one of Gibson's all-time most iconic models. The ES-335 is a semi-hollowbody guitar which means that it has a solid block of wood running through its center with hollow wings on either side. This construction style maintains ... more
eBay logo
1974 Gibson ES-335TD Cherry W / OHSC

1974 Gibson ES-335TD Cherry W / OHSC

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

$4995

1974 Gibson ES-335TD Cherry W / OHSC
This Guitar Is Located At Our IVG Burbank Store
In Very Good Overall Condition With Minor Cosmetic Signs Of Playwear (See Photos)
Laminated Maple Top, Back, And Sides
Semi-Hollowbody With A Solid Maple Center Block And Traditional F-Hole Design
Maple Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard And Small Block Inlays
22 Medium Frets
Dual Gibson Humbuckers
Tune-O-Matic Bridge And Trapeze Tailpiece
Gibson-Branded Deluxe Kluson-Style ... more
eBay logo
1966 Gibson ES-330 TD Vintage Hollowbody Guitar Sunburst, Near-Mint w /  Case

1966 Gibson ES-330 TD Vintage Hollowbody Guitar Sunburst, Near-Mint w / Case

Garden Grove, California, 928**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15000

1966 Gibson ES-330 TD Vintage Hollowbody Guitar Sunburst, Near-Mint w / Case. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.... more
eBay logo
1962 Gibson ES-330 w / original HANG TAGS, strap, bridge inst + Gibson screwdriver

1962 Gibson ES-330 w / original HANG TAGS, strap, bridge inst + Gibson screwdriver

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

$13900


Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1962 Gibson ES-330 in its original Sunburst finish. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original with the exception of the nut and the chrome tailpiece. It's also 100% complete along with its original hardshell case, strap, Gibson screwdriver, tune-o-matic instruction sheet and the two hang tags of which one is stamped "ES-330TD " . It's in EXCELLENT condition with some minor nicks + dings (one... more
eBay logo
Gibson ES-125TD Sunburst 1961

Gibson ES-125TD Sunburst 1961

Palm Harbor, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

Gibson ES-125TD Sunburst 1961. Condition is Used. Shipped with FedEx Ground or FedEx Home Delivery.... more
eBay logo
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
eBay logo
1993 Gibson ES-335 Dot Semi-Hollow Guitar Vintage Sunburst w /  Case

1993 Gibson ES-335 Dot Semi-Hollow Guitar Vintage Sunburst w / Case

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

$4400

Up for sale, a 1993 Gibson ES-335 Dot in showroom-clean, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Produced in an increasingly celebrated period of Gibson production colloquially known as the ??good wood?? era, this ES-335 Dot represents Gibson??s first solid attempt at recreating the magic of a late ?50s dot neck ES-335, featuring a pair of 57 Classic PAF humbuckers, a figured semi-hollow curly maple body, and a gloss Vintage Sunburst nitro... more
eBay logo
1960 Gibson ES-330 TD with fat 59 neck profile

1960 Gibson ES-330 TD with fat '59 neck profile

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

$18900

1960 Gibson ES-330 TD with hard to find ??59 neck profile, Theneck is .91 inches deep at fret 1 and 1 02 inches deep at fret 12, 1 &11 / 16 inches wide at the nut, Two P-90 pickups, Light weight, Excellentplaying, Rare guitar in excellent condition, Original Brown hard case.
... more
eBay logo
1961 Gibson ES-330 Thinline hollowbody electric guitar

1961 Gibson ES-330 Thinline hollowbody electric guitar

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

$6495

1960 Gibson ES-330, Hard to find Cherry Red finish, P-90pickup, ??60 neck profile, 1 & 11 / 16th inches wide at the nut, Reissuetailpiece, Weighs only 5 lbs 7 4 oz, Nicely set up with sweet low action, Finesounding instrument, EC, Original soft case
... more
eBay logo
1961 Gibson ES-125 TC Electric Guitar in Cherry Sunburst

1961 Gibson ES-125 TC Electric Guitar in Cherry Sunburst

Highland Park, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3295

This Used 1961 Gibson ES-125 TC Electric Guitar in Cherry Sunburst is here on consignment. We found the serial number stamped inside the body which dates it to a 1960 model. We have thoroughly reviewed the instrument to verify its authenticity and everything checks out
The neck is straight, the frets still have some life left in them though a fret will likely be due next time around. The truss rod functions properly though the bridge is as low as it will go. Currently, the action is nice ... more
eBay logo
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
eBay logo
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
eBay logo
1979 Gibson ES-335TD CRS Country Rock Stereo Sunburst

1979 Gibson ES-335TD CRS Country Rock Stereo Sunburst

Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3999

Excellent condition 1979 Gibson ES-335TD Country Rock Stereo. All original outside of the swapped Fralin pickups. No breaks of significant damage to speak on. Neck is straight. No significant swirling on the back of the guitar. The Fralin pickups currently installed complement the guitar nicely, and are very mellow and warm. Intonation is on. No scratchy pots etc. Frets have plenty of life. Original tuners work well. These limited run 335??s from this era always play very well in my experience, ... more
eBay logo

Find more Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

There are 0 comments on this page so far. Add your comment

Comment on this article

Anti-spam question - to catch web robots

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