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Guitars & basses by manufacturer

This site is a resource for vintage guitar information; primarily electric guitars by American, European and Japanese manufacturers from the 1950s into the early 1980s. The term vintage can mean different things to different people, but for the purposes of this site, vintage guitars are those produced up until the early/mid 1980s; ending approximately with Norlin's last Gibsons, CBS's last Fenders and the demise of Hagstrom, Guild and Gretsch. These brands have all now been revived, and many offer good replicas of their classic models, but there is nothing quite like the real thing!

Content is sorted by manufacturer / distributor, and the majority of information relates to the following brands: (in alphabetical order)

Commodore

Commodore N25

Commodore was a guitar brand sold in the United Kingdom from the late 1960s and through the 1970s. Instruments were typically made by Japanese builder Matsumoku, and identical (to a greater or lesser extent) models were sold worldwide under a wide range of other names, such as Aria, Conrad, Epiphone, Univox and many many more.

Although student models, Commodore guitars were not at all badly-made, and are pretty solidly built. With a bit of TLC and a good set-up these can make nice playing guitars.

Dan Armstrong

Keith Richards endorsing Dan Armstrong guitars, 1970

The name Dan Armstrong is probably most associated with the plexiglass (lucite) guitars produced from 1968 in conjunction with Ampeg. They came up with a guitar and bass versions, built in the USA. Dan Armstrong relocated to London, producing a number of suitably named new models in the UK; this time of Honduran mahogany.

High profile early users such as Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and Jack Bruce (formerly) of Cream gave these guitars instant cult appeal.

Dan Armstrong Guitars

Epiphone

Epiphone electric guitars
Epiphone Riviera - Is There Something Fishy About Epiphone Guitars?

Epiphone were one of the big American brands of the first half of the twentieth century. Along with the likes of Gibson and Gretsch, they epitomised quality, producing some of the very best electric acoustic guitars of the period. But the best known vintage Epiphone guitars are those produced from Gibson's Kalamazoo plant after 1957; most notably the semi-acoustic models based on Gibson's ES series, the Epiphone Casino, Sheraton, and Rivoli bass.

From 1970, Epiphone production moved to Japan, with an entire range of entry and intermediate level guitars based on the earlier American-built models. Many shared the same names and overall look, but were typically constructed to a lower price point to compete with other imported instruments.

Epiphone Guitars

For more about Epiphone instruments in general, see the Epiphone Index

Fender

Fender electric guitars
1970 Fender electric guitar and amplifier catalogue

Fender are perhaps the best-known electric guitar company in the world, producing a handful of models that are household names to even those completely un-versed in guitars: the Fender Stratocaster or Fender Telecaster. Although incredibly successful, Fender had a completely different ethos to the old-guard; after all they evolved from an electronics background, not from the manufacture of jazz and orchestral instruments like Gibson, Gretsch and Epiphone. They stuck to what they did best: simple solid body guitars, with excellent electronics, easily assembled by a largely unskilled workforce. It just happened that this novel approach coincided with the birth of youth culture in the USA, and the two went hand in hand. Vintage Fender guitars are hugely collectable and command very high prices.

Fender Guitars

For more about Fender instruments see the Fender Index

G & L

G&L started at the tail end of the 1970s, in many ways as a continuation of the guitars of Fender and Musicman. G & L were the initials of George Fullerton and Leo Fender - who was behind the forementioned brands - these guitars were produced at the old Fender plant in Fullerton, California.

G&L Guitars

Gibson

Gibson ES-345TD

Gibson guitars, especially vintage Gibson guitars, are always associated with quality. Well-made instruments, high-end woods, high quality finishes and only the best components. Unlike Fender above, Gibson's focus was on the art of instrument manufacture; they had been building mandolins, banjos and acoustic guitars long before the advent of electric guitars. The Gibson workforce included a lot of talented luthiers, and vintage Gibson guitars, especially those built in the 1950s and 1960s are considered some of the most desirable of all guitars, for both players and collectors. Antique Gibson guitars and mandolins are very cool instruments, but not as revered as a late 1950s Les Paul.

1972 Gibson bass catalogue - the bass place

Unfortunately, many vintage Gibson guitars for sale are beyond the reach of typical players, and even if they are lucky enough to own them, too valuable to 'gig'.

The reputation of 1970s Gibsons (Norlin period) is not so good. In reality, this relates to the mass production of entry level models, competing with imports on price. It is certainly no reflection on the more expensive models built without the price constraints of the entry level guitars.

There is considerable Gibson content on this site, sorted into the following sections.

Gibson Guitars

For more about Gibson instruments see the Gibson Index

Goya

The story of Goya, and the guitars carrying that name is not simple; instruments made in the 1950s and 1960s have good reputations, and these were typically built by Levin of Gothenburg, Sweden (flattops, acoustics) or accordion manufacturer, Hagstrom, also of Sweden (Goya 80 and Goya 90 electrics, 1960/61). In the mid-late 1960s, a number of guitars were also produced in Italy, by another accordion maker Polvini (such as the Rangemaster semi-acoustic) and Galanti (such as the Rangemaster solid body). Later still, production would move to Korea.

Goya Guitars

Gretsch

1965 Gretsch Tennessean guitar

Gretsch started producing guitars in the 1930s, mostly acoustic and semi-acoustic electrics. The 1950s and 1960s saw the manufacture of a lot of fine guitars, most of which command high prices today; especially the ornate semi-acoustics. Vintage Gretsch guitars such as the Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, White Falcon and Duo Jet solid body are particularly sought after by Gretsch collectors.

The 'Baldwin' period of the 1970s was traditionally less interesting to many Gretsch aficionados, but it did see the introduction of several interesting new models, mostly short-lived, and now growing in popularity.

Gretsch Guitars

For more about Gretsch instruments see the Gretsch Index

Guild

Guitars from the 1969 Guild catalogue

Guild were another of the really highly respected American guitar companies of the 1950s and 1960s, although they only started producing guitars in 1953. They almost immediately had a highly-skilled workforce, taking on ex-Epiphone employees after Epiphone relocated it's production from New York to Philadelphia.

They produced a wide range of full-body electric acoustics, thinlines (including the well-known Starfire range) and solid bodies. Some are quite original in design, others quite traditional Epiphone and Gibson-styled guitars.

Vintage Guild guitars are of excellent quality, and are often very much more affordable than equivalent models by Gretsch or Gibson. Today, many classic Guild guitars are available as reissues.

Guild Guitars

For more about Guild instruments see the Guild Index

Hagstrom

Hagstrom H8 and HIIBN bass guitars
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention in a 1967 Hagstrom advert - Long and Slippery

Hagstrom were a Swedish accordion maker when they first started the manufacture of guitars; but with the beat boom of the middle 1960s, guitars became the mainstay of the company. Some models were re-branded for sale worldwide, including Futurama in the UK, and Kent in the US.

Hagstrom also made high quality components: bridges and pickups were used by numerous other guitar manufacturers including Guild and Harmony.

Vintage Hagstrom guitars were highly playable with easy low-action necks. Some earlier models lacked tone potentiometers which is perhaps their biggest drawback, but seventies guitars such as the Hagstrom Swede, are absolutely outstanding in every way!

Hagstrom Guitars

For more about Hagstrom instruments see the Hagstrom Index

Harmony

Harmony Guitars

Harmony, of Chicago, were another of America's long-standing guitar companies with a history of acoustic and electric instrument manufacture. It is estimated that they were in fact the largest by far; space-age named models like the Stratotone, Meteor and Rocket captured the countries imagination, and at one point in the 1960s, Harmony were producing more guitars than all other US companies combined. Most were entry, to intermediate level, ideally suited for the thousands of budding guitarists appearing across the US.

For more about Harmony instruments see the Harmony Index

Hofner

Hofner Guitars

Germany company Hofner were one of Europe's best known brands, at a time when exported US guitars were very expensive indeed. Like Epiphone, Gibson and Harmony, they had a long tradition of luthiery, especially in stringed orchestral instruments such as violins, which lead to a certain style of guitar manufacture, including a lot of well-made acoustic and electric acoustic guitars. The guitar range included several high-end professional models, and with endorsements of big stars like Paul McCartney, and of little home-grown competition they managed to capture much of the early 1960s UK market.

For more about Hofner instruments see the Hofner Index

Peavey

Peavey Guitars

Peavey was formed in Mississippi, USA in 1965. It is far better known as an amplifier manufacturer, but did also produce a number of well-regarded guitars and basses in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

Selmer

Long-standing British musical instrument retailer, particularly noted for it's early 1960s valve amplifiers. Also responsible for the distribution of Fender, Gibson, Hofner and Futurama guitars in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.

Futurama was the companies own brand; guitars imported from Europe, a number of solid bodies produced by Hagstrom. A number of guitars branded Selmer were also offered, these built by Hofner.

Selmer guitars and amplifiers

For more about Selmer instruments see the Selmer Index

Vox

Vox Starstream and Cheetah guitars

Vox were responsible for some utterly iconic guitars; the Phantom, and teardrop-shaped Mark series pretty much scream 1960s. But Vox's mid sixties guitar range was quite extensive, and others were a lot more generic, often Fender-styled guitars.

Vox, like Fender above, were primarily an electronics (amplifier) company when they started producing guitars. Consequently a lot of the early Vox guitars were relatively straightforward in construction; but perhaps fitted with complicated effects electronic circuity, such as fuzz, tremolo and tone boost. Vox were associated with the Beatles, the Stones and many more; demand peaked right in the midst of the guitar boom of the mid 1960s and Vox had to outsource production to Eko and Crucianelli of Italy to keep up.

Vox Guitars

For more about Vox instruments see the Vox Index


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Vintage guitar parts for sale

Vintage guitars for sale

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Used Vintage Guitar Parts

Used Vintage Guitar Parts

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 481**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$30

Up for grabs is a lot of vintage parts from electric guitar, bass and banjo from a closed music store in AZ. Ships worldwide USPS. Thanks for looking and check out my other listing for more vintage parts
... more
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ORIGINAL Vintage- GIBSON "The Historic Collection" catalogue 1994-Mint Condition

ORIGINAL Vintage- GIBSON "The Historic Collection" catalogue 1994-Mint Condition

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, 740**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$35

ORIGINAL Vintage- GIBSON "The Historic Collection" catalogue 1994-Mint Condition... more
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Rubatone Humbucker Pickup Double Coil Pickups for Les Paul LP Style Electric

Rubatone Humbucker Pickup Double Coil Pickups for Les Paul LP Style Electric

WA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$38

Rubatone Humbucker Pickup Double Coil Pickups for Les Paul LP Style Electric Guitar Black
Product Details
Item Weight: 9 2 ounces Product Dimensions: 3 43 x 1 57 x 0 81 inches Country of Origin: China Item model number: LYPUM 12-A Date First Available: September 6, 2022 Color Name: Black Material Type: Magnetic, Plastic This is 2pcs closed type Passive double coil humbucker pickups ... more
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Vintage Waverly Tuners  Silvertone Kay Harmony Stella

Vintage Waverly Tuners Silvertone Kay Harmony Stella

Mustang, Oklahoma, 730**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$40

1960's Waverly Tuners stamped JapanThese are the nicer one's chromed and stamped with lines1 3 / 8" standard spacing, Thanks!USA 48 only
... more
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1979 FENDER 250K CTS POT DATED 7917 TELECASTER PRECISION JAZZ

1979 FENDER 250K CTS POT DATED 7917 TELECASTER PRECISION JAZZ

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$43

FREE USA SHIPPING!
This is a nice original 1979 Fender CTS pot in superb condition. It's a 250K pot that came from a 1979 Fender Telecaster and still has the .01 tone capacitor, pickup leads and ground wire attached. Dated 17th week of 1979 & it's for solid-shaft pots
FREE USA SHIPPING and a 30-day return privilege if you are not happy for any reason. The Bass Palace will be listing LOTS of parts, tubes and a few basses this month so check back often. Thanks for visiting us at recent ... more
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Pitbull Bass Guitar Strings Gold Series (45-105 Custom Light) Fast Ship

Pitbull Bass Guitar Strings Gold Series (45-105 Custom Light) Fast Ship

US, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$46

Pitbull Bass Guitar Strings Gold Series (45-105 Custom Light)
Product Details
Size: 45-105 Custom Light
Brand: Pitbull
MPN: GEB
EAN: 8684325360340
UPC: Does not apply
Brand: Pitbull String Gauge: Custom Light Instrument: Bass Guitar String Material Type: Alloy Steel Finish Type: Nickel Coated Item Weight: 3 84 ounces Package Dimensions: 6 ... more
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Fender Guitar Pick Silver Metal Sign - Fun Fender Wall Art for Office, Music

Fender Guitar Pick Silver Metal Sign - Fun Fender Wall Art for Office, Music

Concord, NH, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$46

Fender Guitar Pick Silver Metal Sign - Fun Fender Wall Art for Office, Music Room or Man Cave
Product Details
Color: Yellow / Black
Brand: Open Road Brands
MPN: 90232056
UPC: 196822108229
EAN: 0196822108229
Product Dimensions: 9 62 x 10 75 x 0 04 inches Item Weight: 5 6 ounces Manufacturer: Open Road Brands Country of Origin: USA Item model number: 90232056... more
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1960s Fender guitar strap Case Candy

1960's Fender guitar strap Case Candy

Mustang, Oklahoma, 730**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$49

1960's Fender strap, missing a little foam This one is a preset length setting This one can still be used, not asking a arm and leg, Thanks !USA 48 only
... more
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1964 Silvertone 1457 Speaker 8"  Jenson  Fender Champ- Sounds Great!

1964 Silvertone 1457 Speaker 8" Jenson Fender Champ- Sounds Great!

Mustang, Oklahoma, 730**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$49

1960's Jenson 8" speaker sound very good !Fast Ship, Thanks!USA 48 only
... more
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1975 Original Gibson Thin Electric Acoustic Series- 8 page Brochure-MINT BB King

1975 Original Gibson Thin Electric Acoustic Series- 8 page Brochure-MINT BB King

San Francisco, California, 941**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$50

For sale is an original 1975 Gibson Thin Electric Acoustic Series brochure featuring BB King. The brochure is in mint condition and contains 8 pages of information about this vintage guitar. This item is a great addition to any musician's collection, with its rich history and exceptional craftsmanship. The brand of this guitar is Gibson and the exact year is 1975. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to own a piece of music history!
... more
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6  GIBSON Electric Acoustic GUITAR Mona-Steel STRINGS E OR 6TH WOUND 1950s BX

6 GIBSON Electric Acoustic GUITAR Mona-Steel STRINGS E OR 6TH WOUND 1950s BX

Van Buren, Arkansas, 729**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$50

1 / 2 DOZEN VINTAGE GIBSON ELECTRIC Mona-Steel Wound GUITAR STRINGS E OR 6TH WOUND 1950s + box
VINTAGE GIBSON ELECTRIC Mona-Steel Wound GUITAR STRINGS E OR 6TH WOUND 1950s + box
These came from Pawn / Guitar Shop Estate Sale that close in Early 80's
Case candy or used them
New Old Stock never used
I open them to check condition
May & Will have Some Tarnished, spots Patina, Rust
I clean with fine sand paper
See Pictures
Some wear and scratches and tear

... more
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Vintage NOS Steel Engraved 3x3 Strip Tuners

Vintage NOS Steel Engraved 3x3 Strip Tuners

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 468**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$50

Vintage NOS Steel Engraved 3x3 Strip Tuners
New old stock
See photos for exact condition
... more
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ORIGINAL Vintage- GIBSON "The Historic Collection" catalog 1994 * VG Condition.

ORIGINAL Vintage- GIBSON "The Historic Collection" catalog 1994 * VG Condition.

Dunnellon, Florida, 344**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$50

remember those great old guitar and amp catalogs from way back .?  Beautifully printed on quality paper? 
Here is one example. A Gibson product brochure from the good old days when they actually made archtop guitars for the jazz guys  !!  This one is in XLNT condition and ships USPS Priority Mail.
CONTUS only
... more
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VINTAGE SAMICK ACOUSTIC GUITAR Korea C 41 FW  1994

VINTAGE SAMICK ACOUSTIC GUITAR Korea C 41 FW 1994

West Haven, Connecticut, 065**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$50

Ventos guitar
It??s a hanmony... more
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Wilkinson Bass Pickup WOJB Ceramic 4-strings Jazz bass Neck&Bridge pickups se

Wilkinson Bass Pickup WOJB Ceramic 4-strings Jazz bass Neck&Bridge pickups se

WA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$53

Wilkinson Bass Pickup WOJB Ceramic 4-strings Jazz bass Neck&Bridge pickups set for JB style bass guitar(WOJB)
Product Details
Color: WOJB
Brand: Leo Jaymz
MPN: WOPB
UPC: 614024798326
EAN: 0614024798326
Item Weight: 12 3 ounces Package Dimensions: 5 94 x 4 84 x 1 73 inches Country of Origin: China Item model number: WOPB Date First Available: November ... more
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Vintage Custom Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar w /  Case

Vintage Custom Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar w / Case

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

$56

Guitar that my dad had I don??t have it??s history or model. I had a musician friend look at it and he said it felt and played very well. Body is pristine haven??t seen any damage, nice patina and wear on the neck. Comes with a hard case
... more
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1983 FENDER PRECISION BASS 62 OR 57 REISSUE 250K CTS POT ALSO FOR R / I JAZZ BASS

1983 FENDER PRECISION BASS 62 OR 57 REISSUE 250K CTS POT ALSO FOR R / I JAZZ BASS

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$59

FREE USA SHIPPING!
This is a nice original 1983 Fender CTS pot in superb condition. I've had it for quite awhile and guarantee it came out of a 1983 Fender '62 Reissue Precision Bass. 8312 date code for the 12th week of 1983. Parts like this are getting difficult to find and remember, it's over 40 years old! Of course you can also use it in 'regular' 1983-84 USA P & J basses
FREE USA SHIPPING and a 30-day return privilege if you are not happy for any reason. The Bass Palace will be ... more
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SAPHUE Alnico 2 Humbucker Guitar Pickup 4 Coil Cable 7 5k / 8 6k Coil Splitting

SAPHUE Alnico 2 Humbucker Guitar Pickup 4 Coil Cable 7 5k / 8 6k Coil Splitting

WA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$65

SAPHUE Alnico 2 Humbucker Guitar Pickup 4 Coil Cable 7 5k / 8 6k Coil Splitting with Brass Cover Alnico II Pickup for LP Guitar Chrome (7 5k / 8 6k)
Product Details
Model: 7 5k / 8 6k
Brand: SAPHUE
MPN: 7 5k / 8 6k
UPC: Does not apply
EAN: Does not apply
Item Weight: 10 5 ounces Package Dimensions: 5 47 x 3 82 x 1 14 inches Country of Origin: China Item model ... more
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Teisco Heit Deluxe electric guitar  peghead badge  /  logo -Japan

Teisco Heit Deluxe electric guitar peghead badge / logo -Japan

McDonough, Georgia, 302**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$68

Vintage 60's / 70's Teisco Heit Deluxe peghead badge / logo. This badge is an original part, not a reproduction. It has normal wear that would be expected, but is in overall good condition. Looks to be brass. Includes the hard to find tiny tacks (one is slightly bent)
Thanks for looking!!!
Please read
Bidders with less than 5 positive feedback score please contact me BEFORE bidding !!!
Insurance included for Full purchase price
Ship to lower 48 only, unless prior ... more
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Montaya Bass 4 String Electric Guitar  Read Description

Montaya Bass 4 String Electric Guitar Read Description

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$69

46" long
For Parts and repair needs to be restored selling as is
see picture for details. stains and marks are detail in the pictures
this item is been sold as is if the buyer would like to return the item. the buyer will be responsible for any cost associated to the retuning shipping label used to return this item.
... more
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39in Electric Guitar H H Pickups Translucent Blue for Heavy Rock Music

39in Electric Guitar H H Pickups Translucent Blue for Heavy Rock Music

NJ Flanders, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$70

Introductions:
The KST 39in electric guitar features a classic C-shaped maple neck and 22 nickel-bronze pins for a great audio experience with comfortable feel and standard tone
The H-H pickup, three-way switch, tone knob, and volume knob accommodate intense rock tones and a wide range of musical styles.
Features:
1. H-H Pickup get a deeper, louder and smoother sound compared to cheaper single coil
2. Matte paint finish is extremely wear-resistant and ... more
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39in Electric Guitar H H Pickups Translucent Blue for Heavy Rock Music US

39in Electric Guitar H H Pickups Translucent Blue for Heavy Rock Music US

NJ Flanders, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$70

Introductions:
The KST 39in electric guitar features a classic C-shaped maple neck and 22 nickel-bronze pins for a great audio experience with comfortable feel and standard tone
The H-H pickup, three-way switch, tone knob, and volume knob accommodate intense rock tones and a wide range of musical styles.
Features:
1. H-H Pickup get a deeper, louder and smoother sound compared to cheaper single coil
2. Matte paint finish is extremely wear-resistant and ... more
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Wilkinson Vintage Classic Alnico 5 Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups Nec

Wilkinson Vintage Classic Alnico 5 Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups Nec

WA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$70

Wilkinson Vintage Classic Alnico 5 Overwound Open Style Humbucker Pickups Neck Bridge Pickup Set for Epiphone Les Paul LP Electric Guitar, Black
Product Details
Color: Set Black
Brand: Musiclily
MPN: MX1757BKMX1758BK
UPC: 194296010444
EAN: 0194296010444
Brand: Musiclily Color: Set Black Top Material Type: Alder Wood Back Material Type: Maple Wood Neck ... more
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39in Electric Guitar H H Pickups Translucent Blue for Heavy Rock Music

39in Electric Guitar H H Pickups Translucent Blue for Heavy Rock Music

NJ Flanders, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$71

Introductions:
The KST 39in electric guitar features a classic C-shaped maple neck and 22 nickel-bronze pins for a great audio experience with comfortable feel and standard tone
The H-H pickup, three-way switch, tone knob, and volume knob accommodate intense rock tones and a wide range of musical styles.
Features:
1. H-H Pickup get a deeper, louder and smoother sound compared to cheaper single coil
2. Matte paint finish is extremely wear-resistant and ... more
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Shaller Deluxe Double Ring Guitar Tuners Set

Shaller Deluxe Double Ring Guitar Tuners Set

Springville, New York, 141**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$79

Great condition with the exception of one. That one has unusual wear to the button. We have no idea how this occurred. No screws. Free shipping. Please email questions.
... more
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39in Electric Guitar H-H Pickups Trans Blue Suit for Heavier Rock Hot Sale

39in Electric Guitar H-H Pickups Trans Blue Suit for Heavier Rock Hot Sale

Flanders, New Jersey, 078**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$81

Introductions:
The KST 39in electric guitar features a classic C-shaped maple neck and 22 nickel-bronze pins for a great audio experience with comfortable feel and standard tone
The H-H pickup, three-way switch, tone knob, and volume knob accommodate intense rock tones and a wide range of musical styles
Features:
1. H-H Pickup get a deeper, louder and smoother sound compared to cheaper single coil
2. Matte paint finish is extremely wear-resistant and scratch-resistant. ... more
eBay logo

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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

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