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GIBSON | CATALOGS | 1968

1968 Gibson guitar pamphlet

...it goes where you go

Gibson 1968 'it goes where you go' pamphlet - front cover
Gibson 1968 'it goes where you go' pamphlet page 2 - Gibson SG Standard and ES-330TD
Gibson 1968 'it goes where you go' pamphlet page 3 - Gibson ES-335-12 and EB-2 bass
Gibson 1968 'it goes where you go' pamphlet page 4 - Gibson ES-335-12 and EB-2 bass
Gibson 1968 'it goes where you go' pamphlet page 5 - Duo Medalist, Super Medalist, Medalist 4/10 and GTR600
Gibson 1968 'it goes where you go' pamphlet page 6 - Melody Maker and J-50 acoustic
Gibson 1968 'it goes where you go' pamphlet page 7 - Gibson Hummingbird and B-25 acoustic
Gibson 1968 'it goes where you go' pamphlet page 8 - back cover
 

1968 Gibson Guitars catalog

This 1968 Gibson guitar pamphlet was fairly concise - at just eight sides and measuring roughly 5" x 9" it only contained a small sample of Gibson's range: four pages of guitars, and two pages of guitar amplifiers. It was vibrantly coloured however, and quite a good synopsis of the companies entry-intermediate level products.

Broadly speaking, there was an example of each kind of guitar; a solid body, a semi acoustic, a twelve string, a bass. And so on. All guitars are proven sellers rather than the specialist instruments produced in smaller numbers. In each case, images are the same as those first used in the 1966 Gibson catalogue. The amplifiers, on the other hand, are all new (or in the case of the Skylark and Falcon re-designed) models, and are only listed in 1968 price lists for the first time.

It featured the following instruments. Click on the images for full size versions, or click on the model names below to see the respective catalogue page

Electric Guitars:

SG Standard
ES-330TD
ES-335-12
Melody Maker

Bass:

EB2

Acoustic flat tops:

J-50
Hummingbird
B-25

Amplifiers:

Skylark, Hawk, Thor and Falcon
Duo-Medalist, Super Medalist, Medalist 4/10 and GTR 600

Gibson guitars say what you want them to. Here is sound that never quits whether you're in concert or want a guitar that's just you. When you hear great Rock, Soul, Jazz or Country music, chances are there's a Gibson at work. After all guitars have been our thing for seventy years.

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1968 Gibson SG Custom Pelham Blue Factory Bigsby Left-Handed 1 of 2 Ever Made

1968 Gibson SG Custom Pelham Blue Factory Bigsby Left-Handed 1 of 2 Ever Made

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

$395000

This is one of two left-handed Gibson SG Custom guitars ever produced in this configuration. In May of 1968 two of these SG Customs shipped from the Gibson factory. Right from the start we have an incredibly rare axe.
Also In 1968, Jimi Hendrix was at a jam at Ungano's in New York. He was playing with Elvin Bishop and B B. King. He was playing a left-handed Pelham Blue Gibson SG Custom with a Bigsby.
We reached out to the family of famed photographer John Bellissimo regarding the ... more
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1968-69 Gibson SG Custom Factory WHITE

1968-69 Gibson SG Custom Factory WHITE

Mission, Kansas, 662**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$37000

This vintage 1968-69 Gibson SG Custom Factory electric guitar is a true gem for any music enthusiast. Crafted with exceptional attention to detail, this guitar features a solid body type and a beautiful white body color that is sure to catch the eye of any player. The 6-string configuration and right-handedness make it perfect for any musician looking for a high-quality instrument The guitar's brand, Gibson, is synonymous with excellence in the music industry. Its model year, 1968-69, is ... more
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1968 Gibson ES-335 Custom ordered Black

1968 Gibson ES-335 Custom ordered Black

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

$20900

1968 Gibson ES-335 Custom ordered factory Black finish, With Stereo and Varitoneswitch, Orange label, Resonant and lively sounding, Nice playing fast neck withlow action, Super cool and one of a kind! One owner, EC, Original hard case.... more
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Exquisitely Rare Lefty Left-Handed 1968 Gibson SG Standard Vintage Cherry Red

Exquisitely Rare 'Lefty' Left-Handed 1968 Gibson SG Standard Vintage Cherry Red

Reseda, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$19675

Introducing one of the rarest, nearly impossible to find, legendary pieces of Music History
An Authentic, originally built, "Left-Handed" 1968 Gibson SG Standard. This is NOT a 'reissued' instrument
There are many 'reissued' knock-off guitars made all over the world by machines. They have very little value and will not go up in value as any true collector's piece should. Here on eBay, you will see names that can confuse someone seeking to purchase a genuine collector's piece.
The... more
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1968 Gibson ES-330 Custom No F Holes Sunburst

1968 Gibson ES-330 Custom No F Holes Sunburst

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

$13509

Up for sale is a crazy cool and insanely rare 1968 Gibson ES-330TD Custom in its original sunburst finish. What makes this guitar special is its lack of F Holes. We have only seen a handful of non F hole ES-330s and one of the only others we've seen has a serial number very close to this one. This guitar is entirely original less the original tuners being changed out at some point and then put back on. There are filled holes from the previous tuners on the back of the headstock. Pro setup in ... more
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1968 Gibson ES-335 TDC Vintage Electric Guitar Cherry w /  T Tops, Case

1968 Gibson ES-335 TDC Vintage Electric Guitar Cherry w / T Tops, Case

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

$10000

Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson ES-335 TDC in exceptional condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. A notably clean and original example, this ES-335 TDC features the traditional tonewood combination of a semi-hollow maple body, one-piece mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard
Tonally authoritative and clear when strummed acoustically, the articulate natural response of the instrument is channeled through the original patent sticker T Tops humbuckers, with a ... more
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1968 Gibson Johnny Smith Sunburst Vintage Archtop w / OHSC

1968 Gibson Johnny Smith Sunburst Vintage Archtop w / OHSC

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

$9995

Located At Our Brick'n'Mortar Store In San Diego, CA
1968 Gibson Johnny Smith In Sunburst
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See All Photos) - Finish Shows Playwear, Finish Checking, Small Nicks And Scratches
Original Pickups And Electronics On A Repro Guard (The Original Self Imploded As They Do)
Original Frets In Very Good Condition
Original Hardware Shows Tarnish - The "Johnny Smith" On The Tailpiece Fell Off At A Gig In New Orleans In 1996 And Was Never Seen Again ... more
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1968 Gibson ES-335 TDC Sparkling Burgundy

1968 Gibson ES-335 TDC Sparkling Burgundy

Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9995

Just in is this great 1968 Gibson ES-335 TDC In Sparkling Burgundy
Quick Details
Weight 8 64 lbs
Nut Width 1 9 / 16th "
Depth at 1st Fret 0 78 "
Depth at 12th Fret 0 98 "
Case Non Original Period correct case in rough shape Has some splitting on the upper bouts
The Guitar at one point had a Bigsby on it which has been removed and a non original Trapeze tailpiece has been re installed. You can see a slight outline in the paint from where the Bigsby was (pictured)
The ... more
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1968 Gibson ES-330 TDC Vintage Hollowbody Sparkling Burgundy, Mint w /  Case

1968 Gibson ES-330 TDC Vintage Hollowbody Sparkling Burgundy, Mint w / Case

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

$9500

Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson ES-330TD in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Finished in Sparkling Burgundy, this particular example is very bold and unfaded in its presentation, with sparingly little of the oxidation and color shifting emblematic of how this finish ages. A rare iteration of the ES-330 with features spanning only 1968-69, this guitar boasts a one-piece mahogany neck and 19th fret neck joint, allowing easier ... more
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1968 Gibson ES-345TD Stereo Sunburst w / OHSC

1968 Gibson ES-345TD Stereo Sunburst w / OHSC

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

$9495

1968 Gibson ES-345TD Stereo In Sunburst Finish
This Guitar Is Located At Imperial Vintage Guitars Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Original Tobacco Sunburst Finish
Reproduction Kluson Deluxe Tuners And Knobs
Factory Stereo Model
Original Pickups And Electronics
1 9 / 16" Nut Width
Neck Depth At 1st Fret: 0 77 "
Neck Depth At 12th Fret: 0 91 "
Weighs 8lbs 2oz
With Original Hard Shell Case
... more
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1968 Gibson L-7CES a Sharp Cut Electric L-7 that was a true 1-off special order.

1968 Gibson L-7CES a Sharp Cut Electric L-7 that was a true 1-off special order.

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

$8995

This is a really cool 1-of-a-kind Arch Top that's an exceedingly unusual special order model L-7CES from 1968 in which was never available in their product catalogs. Its pretty much an L-5CES w / down graded appointments perhaps a more affordable version for its 1st owner wanting that cool body shape. Its got a gorgeous rich Dark Sunburst finish over a nice grainy ??carved?? spruce top w / a sharp "Florintine" cutaway that was never optional on any L-7, all being round Venetian cutaways, always ... more
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1968 Gibson ES-345 - Cherry Red

1968 Gibson ES-345 - Cherry Red

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

$8349

1968 Gibson ES-345 - Cherry Red

Please contact prior to purchase to ensure all your questions are answered

This guitar was just gone over head to toe by our tech and plays fast and smooth up and down the neck

Weight is a comfy 8 38 lbs on an accurate digital scale. It appears to be all original except for the tuners. Pickups have been checked and are correct.

Overall, the condition is very good. This is one of the better examples of 60s era ES ... more
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Gibson  ES 335 1968 Cherry

Gibson ES 335 1968 Cherry

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

$7999

1968 Gibson-made ES 335 in fantastic playing, sounding, and aesthetic condition. This features a stunning cherry finish, block inlay, trapeze tailpiece, and original hard shell case. The only non-original parts found on this guitar are simply the strap buttons, as well as reissue tuning machine heads. Light scratches / dings can be found on the finish from its obvious age, the only significant flaw would be a slight crack on the back headstock tip (as pictured) not affecting the guitar's ... more
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1968 Gibson ES-175 Sunburst Hollow Body Jazz Electric Guitar w /  Case #53302

1968 Gibson ES-175 Sunburst Hollow Body Jazz Electric Guitar w / Case #53302

North Hollywood, California, 916**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7495

ebay template
eBay Template Design by OCDesignsOnline HomeAboutTestimonialsPoliciesContactSell your Gear 1968 Gibson ES-175 Sunburst Hollow Body Jazz Electric Guitar w / Case #53302 ××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× Item DescriptionWORKING CONDITION: Excellent - Plays great. This comes directly out of the arsenal of a ... more
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1968 Gibson EB-2 Semi Hollow Short Scale Electric Bass w OCBC ~ 100% Original, VG+

1968 Gibson EB-2 Semi Hollow Short Scale Electric Bass w OCBC ~ 100% Original, VG+

Collingswood, New Jersey, 081**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6500

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1968 Gibson ES-330TDC Cherry w / HSC

1968 Gibson ES-330TDC Cherry w / HSC

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

$6395

1968 Gibson ES-330 In Cherry Red Finish
This Guitar Is Located At Imperial Vintage Guitars Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Light Cosmetic Playwear And Finish Checking Throughout
Added Bigsby Tailpiece
2" Binding Patch On Treble Side Of Neck At 1st Fret
Original P-90 Pickups And Electronics
Original Frets Low But Fully Playable

1 9 / 16" Nut Width
Neck Depth At 1st Fret: 0 79 "
Neck Depth At 12th Fret: 1 09 "
... more
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1968 Gibson ES-175 D Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst w /  Pat # Pickups

1968 Gibson ES-175 D Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst w / Pat # Pickups

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

$5800

Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson ES-175D in exceptional condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. A clean vintage example, this ES-175 boasts its original "patent sticker" humbuckers, delivering a detailed and dynamic range of tones. Acoustically, the fully hollow maple body delivers a big, open sound with both the immediate attack and clarity of maple, and an airy, smooth quality befitting the hollowbody construction. These patent sticker humbuckers both meter in the mid... more
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1968 Gibson Dove

1968 Gibson Dove

Lake Stevens, Washington, 982**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5500

1968 Gibson Dove. Fully serviced and in need of nothing. Pro setup and a great player. Spruce tone with maple back and sides

This example actually spent most of its life in its case. Unfortunately, this is really not the best thing for Dove. The pick guard gassed a good bit, which is what happens when they are left unopened in their cases. The material they used on these guards releases of gas that reacts with itself and causes this kind of result. Personally, I would leave it since ... more
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1968 Gibson J-50

1968 Gibson J-50

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

$4995

1968 Gibson J-50 ADJ, Natural Spruce top, Warm sounding HonduranMahogany Adjustable bridge, Sonic logo on pickguard, Sweet sounding guitar withrich overtones, Beautiful one owner guitar with original hard case
... more
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Vintage 1968 Cherry Red Gibson ES-330TDC Electric Guitar

Vintage 1968 Cherry Red Gibson ES-330TDC Electric Guitar

Cranston, Rhode Island, 029**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4500

This is a beautiful vintage Gibson ES-330TDC electric guitar from 1968 with the authenticity code 092717. It features a hollow body type and a gorgeous cherry red color. The neck is made of mahogany and the body is made of maple with the original sparkling burgundy finish. The guitar has 22 frets and a rosewood fretboard. It comes with a cable and a gig bag so you'll be ready to play right away. The string configuration is 6 string and it is a classic model for any guitar enthusiast. This model ... more
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Find more Gibson guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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Fred Manteghian Comment left 6th May 2019 07:07:18 reply
I'm confused why the SG in this 1968 pamphlet still shows the smaller pick guard. Gibson started using the full "bat wing" style that went around the pickups in late 1966.
vintageguitarandbass Comment left 3rd January 2021 01:01:16 reply
The images used in this brochure are the same as those prepared for the 1966 Gibson full-line catalog. It was quite common for Gibson (and other manufacturers/distributors) to reuse images that were a few years old, and hence a little out of date in terms of specifications. There were other hardware changes by 1968 too. Usually (though not in this case) there would be some kind of notice that specifications were subject to change without notice.

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1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1961 Hofner Colorama I

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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

1959 Hofner Committee

1959 Hofner CommitteeThe Hofner Committee was a truly beautiful guitar produced in Germany, primarily for the UK market. It was a large bodied (initially 17 1/2") guitar with a carved spruce top, available as an acoustic or electric guitar. By the early sixties the carved top was replaced with a laminate, and although still a very fine guitar, the earlier carved top examples, with frondose headstock (like the example shown here) are far more highly prized amongst musicians and vintage guitar collectors.

1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean

1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins TennesseanThe Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean, or model 6119 was Gretsch's best selling hollow body of the 1960s. This wonderfully faded example from 1965 was originally Dark Cherry Red, but has turned a mid-orange brown. The original color, however, can be seen underneath the pickup surrounds. 1965 specs: maple body, two-piece neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard and Hi-Lo 'Tron single coil pickups. Nickel plated Gretsch Bigsby tailpiece.

1965 Gretsch 'For the Spectacular Sound of the Times' guitar and amp catalog

1965 Gretsch catalogThe 1965 Gretsch catalog, or catalog #32, featured 10 hollow body electric guitars, including the newly launched Gretsch Viking; four solid body electrics, including the Astro Jet - making it's only catalog appearance; just one bass, the single pickup PX6070; nine acoustics and 12 tube amplifiers. Pride of place went to the Chet Atkins Country Gentleman that adorned both the front and back covers. 24 pages, six of which are in full color.

Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends

Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret endsLoose frets are especially problematic in certain old guitars, but are generally very easy to fix. You'll be amazed at the difference you can make with just a few tools, a bit of knowledge, and a little time. Fixing loose frets can eliminate fret buzz, remove sharp fret ends, and greatly improve the tone of any guitar. If your luthier bill will be greater than the value of your guitar, definitely time to have a go yourself!

1966 Hagstrom 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog (Merson USA)

1966 Hagstrom guitar catalogHagstrom guitars were distributed in the mid-1960s United States by Merson of USA. This eight page 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog, printed in two-colors contained six solid body electrics, three solid body basses, two electric acoustic guitars, two electric acoustic basses and five acoustics.

1965 Hofner President

1965 Hofner PresidentThe President was produced by Hofner in Bubenreuth, Germany, specifically for Selmer, who distributed the brand in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other commonwealth nations. The President was a hollow body electric acoustic, available as a full body or thinline, and with blonde or brunette finish. It was a great playing guitar that sold fairly well in the second half of the 1950s, throughout the 1960s, and into the very early 1970s. The example shown here is a full-body depth guitar in blonde - and as a 1965 guitar, one of the last to feature the rounded Venetian cutaway. From late 1965 until 1972, the President sported a sharp Florentine cut. Naturally, such an electric acoustic suggests jazz and blues, but many of the original British Hofner President players were part of the rock 'n roll, skiffle and beat scenes of the late 50s and early 60s.

1963 1964 Fender catalog

Fender 1963 catalogue"The Choice of Professional and Student Musicians Everywhere" This eight page catalogue was included as an insert in the 1963 annual "school music" issue of Downbeat magazine (September 1963). As well as keyboards and pedal steels, this catalog contains seven guitars, three basses and ten amplifiers - from student guitars such as the Musicmaster and Duotone to professional models like the new Jaguar.