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GIBSON | CATALOGS | 1966

1966 Gibson fold-out leaflet

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This 1966 flyer is a single sheet, folded into 3 panels. Rather than describing individual models in detail, a collage of illustrations depict the brand, and Gibson's clientel in a more general way. There are pictorial examples of many of the products in Gibson's line, including a Barney Kessel guitar, an ES-335TD, an ES-335 12 string, and an EBO bass.

1966 Gibson catalogue page 1
1966 Gibson catalogue page 2

Instruments are split into categories: artist series, 12 string guitars and doublenecks, solid body guitars and amplifiers, popular acoustic and electric guitars, folk guitars and banjos, and country & western.

The artwork in this brochure is very similar in style to that of two other 1966 catalogues in the CMI stable, the 1966 Epiphone and Kalamazoo brochures. Furthermore a number of print ads used in 1965/66 were also in the same style.

In 1966, owners, CMI (Chicago Musical Instrument company) were rightly promoting Gibson as a brand for serious musicians; their guitars were built in traditional ways by craftsmen, in contrast to the lesser brands aimed at the youngsters being caught up in the guitar/beat boom of mid-1960s USA. All the characters illustrated in this flyer are suitably traditional/conservative; older men wearing ties; surely playing jazz and bluegrass. No long haired kids to be seen, although some are represented, in the Kalamazoo brochure.

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1966 Gibson guitars for sale

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Vintage Gibson Melody Maker D Cherry 1966

Vintage Gibson Melody Maker D Cherry 1966

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499


Vintage Gibson Melody Maker D Cherry 1966
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
A real road warrior with an ultra cool, true vintage vibe. Professionally set up with fresh strings & low action so it's ready to play upon arrival
Cosmetic Condition: Lots of nicks, chips, dents & dings; scratches, weather checking & finish wear - this baby was played!
Neck: Nicely rounded mahogany neck that gets chunkier as you work your way up the ... more
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1966 Gibson J-50 Acustic Guitar w /  HSC! -LL

1966 Gibson J-50 Acustic Guitar w / HSC! -LL

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

$4000


Item: 1966 Gibson J-50 Acustic Guitar w / HSC
Description: You are purchasing a 1966 Gibson J-50 Acustic Guitar w / HSC. Comes with hard shell case. Narrow neck. Great condition. Sounds good. Please ask any questions before buying if you have any Shipping: $100 00 shipping to the Lower 48 States! We ship overseas. Overseas shipping prices will vary. Overseas buyers pay their own import taxes Payment: We accept Paypal for your convenience. Payment arrangements must be made ... more
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Gibson 1966 Cherry Burst ES 125 Hollow Body & Neck

Gibson 1966 Cherry Burst ES 125 Hollow Body & Neck

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

$790


Gibson Dependable
Home of the most First and most Dependable Gibson parts on Ebay
U S.A. and Worldwide Bidders Welcomed
How many of you guitar enthusiast out there have always wanted to build yourselves that awesome project guitar, but didn??t want to spend the money on a full guitar only to dismantle it. Well, here is your opportunity do so. We sell high end name brand parts and project guitars specifically for the purpose of building your own custom one off guitar
Description:... more
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Vintage Gibson 1960s SG Les Paul Standard Backplate Control Cavity Cover 1966

Vintage Gibson 1960's SG Les Paul Standard Backplate Control Cavity Cover 1966

Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$95


Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic and original
Vintage Gibson 1960's Gibson SG Standard Backplate / Control Cover
Original 1960's Gibson SG cavity cover in great shape! This is the mid / later 60's version that accommodates the larger control cavity shape Gibson adopted in the mid 60's. This will also fit the SG "Melody Maker" and SG "Special" From the same years
The REAL DEAL in killer shape!
Great original condition with ... 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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Gibson Vintage 1960s Short Maestro Tailpiece SG Melody Maker 1965 1966 1967 1968

Gibson Vintage 1960s Short Maestro Tailpiece SG Melody Maker 1965 1966 1967 1968

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

$195

** Vintage 1960's Gibson Chrome Tremolo Tailpiece 1960's *
Very Good ConditionNo BarSee PhotosShipping Lower 48 $17 00We Ship Worldwide010525 2... more
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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
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Vintage 1965 Gibson ES-175 ES-175d Chrome Zig-Zag Tailpiece Complete 1966 1967

Vintage 1965 Gibson ES-175 ES-175d Chrome Zig-Zag Tailpiece Complete 1966 1967

Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$495

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A completely original and fantasticVintage 1960's Gibson Chrome ES-175 "Zig Zag" Tailpiece assemebly
Correct for your 1965 thru 1969 ES-175 and ES-175D
Incredible original condition with original mounting screws, strap button and ground wire
Get it back to stock, get it VINTAGE CORRECT
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE
Check our outstanding feedback and buy with confidence... more
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Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Cumming, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400

This bass guitar string mute is a must-have for any Gibson Thunderbird owner. Made in 1966, this mute is a rare find for collectors and musicians alike. It is designed to fit perfectly on your bass guitar and provides a unique sound that is sure to impress
Crafted with precision and care, this mute is made to last. It is made from high-quality materials and is built to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. Whether you are a seasoned musician or just starting out, this bass guitar ... more
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GIBSON ES 120T ARCHTOP ELECTRIC GUITAR SUNBURST HOLLOW BODY 1966 TESTED WORKS

GIBSON ES 120T ARCHTOP ELECTRIC GUITAR SUNBURST HOLLOW BODY 1966 TESTED WORKS

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 871**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3200

The Gibson ES 120T Archtop Electric Guitar in Sunburst is a vintage piece from 1966, known for its distinctive hollow body and six-string configuration. Made in the United States, this right-handed guitar by Gibson is a classic model that delivers a warm and rich tone, perfect for jazz and blues players. With its iconic design and quality craftsmanship, the ES 120T is a sought-after choice for musicians looking to add a vintage touch to their sound
ES-120T was manufactured in the 26th week ... more
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Vintage 1966 Gibson Electric Bass Guitar

Vintage 1966 Gibson Electric Bass Guitar

Los Angeles, California, 900**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2312

Vintage 1966 Gibson Electric Bass Guitar. Up for sale used Original Gibson .
I do not know much about vintage guitars , but i took this guitar to the nearest Guitar center store and was told that is a 1966 Gibson Electric Bass( if someone thinks differently , please let me know).
There are some scratches here and there ( please see the pictures)
Comes without a original case. ( still in a nice soft case)
Plays great.
Original big fat Gibson pickup is super warm and sounds ... more
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Gibson B25-12 1966 12 String Acoutic Guitar

Gibson B25-12 1966 12 String Acoutic Guitar

Southbridge, Massachusetts, 015**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

Gibson B25-12 1966 12 String Acoustic Guitar Ready to Play. Set up New Strings Low Action. Finish checking and 3 cracks on the body see pics. This Gibson B25-12 acoustic guitar from 1966 is a rare find for any musician. With its 12 string configuration, it provides a unique sound that is perfect for any guitar enthusiast. The guitar is in excellent condition and has been well-maintained over the years.
The brand name Gibson is synonymous with high-quality musical instruments, and this guitar... more
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Gibson Classic 1966 EBO Bass Guitar

Gibson Classic 1966 EBO Bass Guitar

Adrian, Michigan, 492**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2100

This is a rare and collectible 1966 Gibson Classic EBO bass guitar in a stunning red color. With its 4-string configuration, this electric bass guitar is perfect for any musician who wants to make a statement. The Gibson brand is known for its quality and excellence, and this Classic series bass guitar is no exception. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, this bass guitar is sure to impress. It's perfect for playing a wide range of musical styles and is ideal for both live ... more
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Gibson Guitar  - 381574 - 1966

Gibson Guitar - 381574 - 1966

Jackson, Kentucky, 413**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3100

Gibson Guitar - 381574 - 1966... more
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1966 Gibson Melody Maker Cherry Electric Guitar (PB1028360)

1966 Gibson Melody Maker Cherry Electric Guitar (PB1028360)

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

$1400

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Gibson Vintage 1966 Non-Reverse Firebird III Re-Fin Re-Build Pelham Blue w Case

Gibson Vintage 1966 Non-Reverse Firebird III Re-Fin Re-Build Pelham Blue w Case

Canton, Ohio, 447**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8808

The guitar pictured is the actual guitar you will receive!
At The Farm, we take actual pictures of each instrument and make sure they are fully set-up and ready to play before we ship them. Each instrument goes through a multi-point inspection, followed by a set-up process by our in-house tech staff. We then photograph each instrument with high-quality equipment in our on-site photography studio. We know that details like wood grain and color finishes can vary, so we want you ... 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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Gibson GA-35RVT Lancer TUBE Guitar Amplifier VINTAGE 1966

Gibson GA-35RVT Lancer TUBE Guitar Amplifier VINTAGE 1966

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

$700

At top 40 guitarsour customers satisfaction is our first concern All of out items have a 14 day return policy If after 14 days you are not completely satisfiedwith your purchase, please return it for a refund .Peace be with you
all returned items must be in the same condition theywere at the time of sale. All original packing must be included
Up for Sale is a
Gibson GA-35RVT Lancer TUBE Guitar Amplifier VINTAGE 1966
Tested and in fine working order.
Top 40 Guitars is a Veteran... more
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Vintage 1966 Epiphone by Gibson Olympic to Coronet Conversion

Vintage 1966 Epiphone by Gibson Olympic to Coronet Conversion

Lubbock, Texas, 794**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2250

Vintage 1966 Epiphone USA Gibson Olympic-to-Coronet conversion==Poor man's Coronet with a P-90 replacing the stock Melody Maker pickup==Apparently done in 1985 as the pots are '85 units==Plays and sounds great -- this is one conversion that makes sense (and can be reversed)==Normal wear and tear, repaired crack from edge of headstock to low-E tuner as pictured (pro repair)==Worldwide==
If you are considering a purchase, please take a minute and read our feedback !!!
We strive to achieve 5 ... more
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Vintage Gibson 1965 Chrome Patent Sticker PAF pickup cover set 1966 68 ES-335 SG

Vintage Gibson 1965 Chrome Patent Sticker PAF pickup cover set 1966 68 ES-335 SG

Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$295

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A fantastic and original
Vintage c 1965 Chrome Patent Number PAF humbucker cover set
REAL DEAL AND IN AMAZING SHAPE
Killer 50+ year old patina!
This is a standard spaced cover set - amazing shape with a killer vintage patina
These are correct for your 1965 thru 1969 ES-335, SG Standard, ES-175 and many others!
Get it back to stock, get it VINTAGE CORRECT
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE... more
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Find more 1966 Gibson guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass

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

1973 Shaftesbury 3400

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1971 Epiphone 1802T

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1971 Shaftesbury 3400

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1981 Gibson Victory MVX

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

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A World of Guitars by Rosetti - 1971

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

1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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

1961 Hofner Colorama I

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1971 Commodore N25 (Matsumoku)

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1960 Hofner Colorama II

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1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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1981 Gibson Marauder

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1981 'Gibson Specials' Pre-Owners Manual

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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