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HAGSTROM | VIKING

Hagstrom Viking

Vintage semi acoustic six string guitar

Images taken from the 1966 and 1975 Hagstrom catalogues

Hagstrom Viking V-1
ModelHagstrom Viking V-1
Available1965-1972
PickupsTwo single coil
Scale24 3/4"
BodyBound body. Dimensions: 18 1/2" X 16 1/4" X 1 3/4"
NeckRosewood fingerboard, dot inlays. Fender-style headstock
HardwareTwo volume and tone controls, pickup selector switch, chrome plated hardware
OptionsHagstrom Bigsby vibrato (model VB-1)
FinishesMahogany sunburst, Golden mahogany sunburst, cherry red
Hagstrom Viking V-2
ModelHagstrom Viking V-2
(Deluxe)
Available1967-1968
PickupsTwo single coil
Scale24 3/4"
BodyBound body and f-holes. Flamed maple and spruce
NeckEbony fingerboard, block inlays. Bound neck and Fender-style headstock.
HardwareTwo volume and tone controls, pickup selector switch, gold plated hardware
OptionsHagstrom Bigsby vibrato (model VB-2)
FinishesMahogany sunburst, Golden mahogany sunburst, cherry red
Hagstrom Viking V-1N
ModelHagstrom Viking V-1N
(HG802 / Scandia)
Available1972-1975
PickupsTwo humbuckers
Scale24 3/4"
BodyBound birch
NeckBirch neck with rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays. Bound, new-shape headstock with plain inlay
HardwareTwo volume and tone controls, pickup selector switch, 3-way tone switch, chrome plated hardware. Van Ghent tuners.
FinishesNatural, sunburst, cherry
Hagstrom Viking from the 1965/66 Selmer catalogueHagstrom Viking from the 1965/66 Selmer catalogue

The Hagstrom Viking in the 1965/66 Selmer catalogue as follows:

A new guitar from this brilliant Swedish manufacturer - designed to meet the increasing demand for the electro-acoustic sound. Two powerful, high-gain pick-ups eliminate all unwanted sounds and give exceptionally wide tonal range. Slim, fast, low action neck; head in the modern, accepted style, fitted with high-accuracy chromium plated machine heads. Bridge adjustable for height and position to permit fine tuning of individual strings. The overall high standard of finish and performance make this guitar comparable with the finest models available today. A new guitar destined to become a firm favourite.

As the name implies, the Hagstrom Viking was of Nordic (Swedish) origin, and was making it's presence strongly felt, 'invading' the UK and other parts of Europe from 1965. Initially this name does not seem to have been used in the US, where the word Viking presumably had less resonance, and it was simply designated the V-1.

It was a thinline semi-acoustic guitar, with two pickups; an instrument very much in the style of the Gibson ES335 or Guild Starfire, however structurally quite different. With its bolt-on neck, hollow body (no central block) and Fender style headstock it is actually more akin to other guitars such as the Fender Coronado or Harmony H72, both of which were launched around the same time, 1965/66.

1967 Hagstrom Viking. Image Heritage auctions

Hagstrom Viking companion models

It had a companion 12-string version, produced in a single batch in 1967, and also a bass model, the Viking bass (or Concord in the US) produced between 1965 and 1971.

Elvis Presley at his 1968 Comeback Special, with Hagstrom Viking II

The late sixties saw the introduction of a short-lived deluxe model, the Viking 2 - famously played by Elvis Presley during his '68 come back performance. Functionally identical, however with finer trim; gold plated hardware, bound neck, body headstock and f-holes, ebony fingerboard with block inlays.

Shortly after the discontinuation of the V-2, the V-1 model was redesigned to have humbucker pickups, three way tone switch, and a new Hagstrom headstock. This was designated V-1N, or during Ampeg's tenure as US distributor, the Scandia or HG802.

Finally from 1978 the model reverted to its original name - simply the Viking, however it kept its humbucking pickups, but now gaining a Fleur de Lys headstock inlay, and the central maple block of the Gibson ES guitars.

Shipping data for the Hagstrom Viking is roughly as follows:

ModelProduction YearsNumber Produced
Hagstrom Viking1965-19729241
Hagstrom Viking 12 string1967651
Hagstrom Viking II1967-19681000
Hagstrom Viking I N1972-19751845
Hagstrom Viking 1978-1979410

Hagstrom Viking catalogue appearances

Hagstrom guitars were available from several different distributors worldwide, including Merson, Unicord, Arc and Ampeg in the US and Canada, and Selmer in the UK and commonwealth. Have a look at the Hagstrom Viking in some of the catalogues below.

Hagstrom Viking for sale

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Hagstrom ??67 Viking II Red Finish Body Only, Guitar Project DIY

Hagstrom ??67 Viking II Red Finish Body Only, Guitar Project DIY

Riverside, Illinois, 605**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$300

Beautiful guitar body in really good shape. I bought it as a project but I don't have time to work on it now. The Pickups have been tap-testedAll hardware included you just need to add a neck. Wilkinson open gear butterbean tuners. What you see in the pictures is exactly what you are getting. Free shipping Continental USA Only.
... more
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Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar - Cherry

Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar - Cherry

Middletown, New York, 109**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$488

... more
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Hagstrom Viking Hollow Body Big Boy Electric Guitar W /  Hard Case

Hagstrom Viking Hollow Body Big Boy Electric Guitar W / Hard Case

Plano, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$449

This cool estate sale find is in really good condition. This guitar is super clean for its age! Tested and working just needs a new home. Comes just like pictured. Thank you
... more
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Vintage 1972 Hagstrom Viking V-1N Cherry Red finish in EXC condition w /  TKL HSC

Vintage 1972 Hagstrom Viking V-1N Cherry Red finish in EXC condition w / TKL HSC

West Palm Beach, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$765

Vintage 1972 Hagstrom Viking V-1N with beautiful Cherry red high gloss finish made in Sweden - NOT A REISSUE. Guitar includes TKL Prestige 8855 archtop hard case (key included) which has dual neck support that I purchased to securely protect this vintage guitar. This is the second generation Viking which switched from single coil to humbucker pickups, 3 tuners to a side headstock with Van Ghent imperial style tuners and distinctive "ducks foot" inlay and three way tone switch. There were only... more
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Hagstrom Viking BT Deluxe Baritone Electric Guitar - Cosmic Black Burst

Hagstrom Viking BT Deluxe Baritone Electric Guitar - Cosmic Black Burst

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 551**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$840

PAWN AMERICA KEY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS :
Brand: HagstromType: Electric GuitarModel: Viking BTBody Color: Cosmic Black BurstHandedness: Right-HandedBody Type: HollowBody Material: MapleNeck Material: MapleMPN: Does Not ApplyCustom Bundle: No What's Included :
Hagstrom Viking BT Deluxe Baritone Electric Guitar - Cosmic Black Burst Condition... more
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Hagstrom ??67 Viking II Hollowbody Body Black Finish

Hagstrom ??67 Viking II Hollowbody Body Black Finish

Charlotte, North Carolina, 282**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$800

Here I havea Hagstrom ??67 Viking II Hollowbody Body Black Finish
I buy, repair and resell musical instruments. I generally receive guitars damaged fromshipping, factory seconds, store returns, or open box items from mydistributors.
This guitaris an open box item. For the most part, it is new. I have set the action to myliking and it plays well, it very fun to play, and sounds exceptional throughmy Fender amp. I have even left the felt cloth underneath the bridge, it isthat new.
I ... more
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Hagstrom - Vintage Sunburst ??67 Viking II Semi Hollow Body! VIK67-G-VSB

Hagstrom - Vintage Sunburst ??67 Viking II Semi Hollow Body! VIK67-G-VSB

Waupaca, Wisconsin, 549**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

?? Hollow Double Cutaway
?? Bolt On Canadian Maple Neck
?? 5 Ply Canadian Flame Maple Ply Construction - Slim Body
?? 2 Hagstrom Mini Humbucking H-52 AlNiCo 5
?? H Expander Truss Rod provides tension at both ends providing low action
?? H Expander Truss Rod provides neck stability, longer sustain & round attack
?? Resinator?? wood composite material is more uniform in density, stable then standard wood & eliminates dead spots
?? Resinator?? wood sounds like ebony ... more
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Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst Guitar

Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst Guitar

Charlotte, North Carolina, 282**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$750

Here I have a Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst Guitar
I buy, repair and resell musical instruments. I generally receive shipping damaged guitars from the factory or a distributor. I also receive store returns or open box items
This guitar came from my Distributor with no strings. I inspected the guitar and there is no blemish or flaw. I placed new strings on this guitar, tuned, and played. The action is very low and fast (at least for me lol). This is a ... more
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Hagstrom Viking bass guitar tail piece 1970s -80s Nice RARE

Hagstrom Viking bass guitar tail piece 1970s -80s Nice RARE

Portland, Maine, 041**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$149

Hagstrom bass guitar tail piece 1970s -80s Nice RARE part ex. condition check my other auctions... more
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Hagstrom 67 Viking II Limited-Edition Hollowbody Electric Guitar DAMAGED

Hagstrom '67 Viking II Limited-Edition Hollowbody Electric Guitar DAMAGED

Lone Jack, Missouri, 640**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$441

Hagstrom '67 Viking II Limited-Edition Hollowbody Electric Guitar DAMAGED Hagstrom '67 Viking II Limited-Edition Hollowbody Electric Guitar DAMAGED
DESCRIPTION:This item is a store return.  It has the following issues:  The neck is warped and twisted, and will need to be adjusted to play well again. There are quite a few ... more
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Hagstrom 67" Viking II WCT Electric Guitar with HARD CASE & Padded Strap

Hagstrom 67" Viking II WCT Electric Guitar with HARD CASE & Padded Strap

Bellingham, Washington, 982**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1225

I've owned this for about a 18 months, and have played it 8-10 times. It's a semi-hollow and has a great sound with nice sustain
Full details on this model are here:https: / / www musiciansfriend com / guitars / hagstrom-67-viking-ii-hollowbody-electric-guitar / l81035000002000
Comes with a form-fit hard case, comfy strap with StrapLoks and a clip-on tuner.... more
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Hagstrom Super Viking guitar BROKEN Dandy Dandelion

Hagstrom Super Viking guitar BROKEN Dandy Dandelion

Lubec, Maine, 046**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$250

Up for sale is a Hagstrom Super Viking in Dandy Dandelion. The guitar was declared a blem with USED stamped on the back of the headstock and part of the serial number removed. This indicated a defect of some kind. Presumably it was because the headstock broke. There is also cosmetic clouding on the logo face. Otherwise, the body has one dent note. It is as pictured and will require repair.... more
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Hagstrom Viking bass red READ DESCRIPTION

Hagstrom Viking bass red READ DESCRIPTION

Lubec, Maine, 046**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$190

Up for sale is a Hagstom Viking bass. Unloaded, as pictured. It was declared a factory blem with USED stamped on the back of the headstock and part of the serial number removed. This indicated a defect of some kind. The defect seems to have been electronic; something in those components did not work. Insofar as the cosmetics, the body and neck are clean. The truss rod turns fine; strung up, it worked fine. I did not notice any significant issue. I did not attempt to intonate.... more
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1965 Hagstrom VIKING I Thin Hollowbody Electric Guitar made in Sweden w / Case

1965 Hagstrom VIKING I Thin Hollowbody Electric Guitar made in Sweden w / Case

Rochelle Park, New Jersey, 076**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

PLEASE READ ALL DISCLAIMERS AND POLICIES BELOW BEFORE PLACING YOUR BID / OFFER
WE HAVE DESCRIBED THIS ITEM TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY. BY PLACING A BID ON THIS ITEM YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING AND ACCEPTING OUR AUCTION TERMS AND CONDITIONS
WE OFFER WORLDWIDE SHIPPING!
PLEASE DO NOT PAY UNTIL WE HAVE SENT YOU AN INVOICE!
ALL OF OUR ITEMS THAT OFFER FREE SHIPPING ONLY APPLY TO THE LOWER 48 STATES, EXCLUDES: ALASKA, HAWAII, PUERTO RICO PLEASE REQUEST A SHIPPING RATE
-
OUR SHIPPING... more
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Hagstrom  67 Viking II Semi-Hollow Guitar, Vintage Sunburst

Hagstrom '67 Viking II Semi-Hollow Guitar, Vintage Sunburst

Fresno, California, 937**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$599

67 Hagstrom Viking thinline guitar in a beautiful sunburst finish on a flamed Maple body, six inline tuners, coil splittable humbuckers and gold hardware. Guitar plays and sounds great

Specifications
Hollow Double Cutaway5-Ply Canadian Flame Maple Ply ConstructionMulti-Ply BindingBound f-HolesBolt-On Neck - Canadian Hard MapleH-Expander Truss RodMulti-Ply BindingResinator Fingerboard24 56?? (624 mm) Scale LengthPearloid Block Inlays22 Medium Jumbo Frets / 15?? RadiusGraphTech Black... more
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HAGSTROM 67 VIKING II HOLLOW Body

HAGSTROM '67 VIKING II HOLLOW Body

Benton, Arkansas, 720**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$600

This Hagstrom '67 Viking II electric guitar features a hollow body with a gloss black finish, and a maple neck with a resinator fretboard. It has 22 frets and is designed for right-handed players. The guitar is made in Indonesia and has a brand name of Hagstrom
The Viking II model is a classic design that is sought after by many guitar enthusiasts. This guitar is perfect for those who want a high-quality and affordable instrument. It is ideal for beginners and experienced players alike. ... more
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1960s Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar

1960's Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar

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

$1344

Free eBay listing template designed by dewiso com1960's Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
In good condition for its age. The guitar shows some cosmetic wear please see Our detailed pictures for more reference.
Included: Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar only
SIGNATURE REQUIRED UP ON DELIVERY THANK YOU Contact us
We can be contacted at any time through eBay messages if you have any questions, comments or product requests. We do our best to respond within 24-48 ... more
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1960s Hagstrom Viking Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Made by Albin Hagstrom Sweden

1960s Hagstrom Viking Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Made by Albin Hagstrom Sweden

Hicksville, New York, 118**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$500

1960s Hagstrom Viking Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Made by Albin Hagstrom Sweden
Hey there! You are looking at a Hagstrom Viking from the 1960s! Hagstrom is an excellent luthier from Sweden that makes excellent guitars and this is one of them. The Viking is known to be one of their best and most desirable models
The guitar itself is fair condition being very clean, yet there is checking cracks across the body which do not affect playability. The guitar still sounds great with a straight ... more
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Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Bass Guitar

Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Bass Guitar

Reidsville, North Carolina, 273**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

This Hagstrom Viking Semi-Hollow Bass Guitar is a professional level electric bass guitar that features a wild cherry transparent body color and a smooth neck. This guitar features Hagstrom's patented Resinator fingerboard and revolutionary H-Expander truss rod for a buttery slick thin neck design. The Resinator is a homogeneous wood composite that maintains a strong harmonic and eliminates wolf tones, offering the high quality sound of ebony but with more consistency and durability The ... more
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Hagstrom Viking Short-Scale Bass Guitar Transparent Cherry 197881143794 OB

Hagstrom Viking Short-Scale Bass Guitar Transparent Cherry 197881143794 OB

Kansas City, Missouri, 641**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$800

... more
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Find more Hagstrom Viking for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

There are 4 comments on this article so far. Add your comment

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Daniel Comment left 14th September 2022 20:08:51 reply
This is the very first guitar I have ever seen in my life, my neighbor used to have one
Rob Lewis Comment left 28th June 2021 00:12:59 reply
Trying to ID a Hagstrom my wife picked up a few years ago. It matches the description of the V-2 except the tailpiece, which is a simple top-mounted anchor with a mostly rectangular chrome cover that appears to snap on. (Frankly, not a fan of the original "lyre" tailpiece style!). There are 5 screw holes around the bottom strap peg that I assume were used to attach the original tailpiece. S/N is 718003. No model designation on it. Anybody know anything?
raul abella from spain Comment left 16th January 2017 21:09:19 reply
I search parts from the Hastrom Viking 1967 V-2 deluxe. Is possible for sale catalogue , and other parts ( pickguard, etc..) sorry for my hungry write
Gavin Comment left 28th October 2014 22:10:57 reply
Hi, No mention of the Hagstrom Viking XII in your Viking section??

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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

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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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1971 'Pick Epiphone' Catalog

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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

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1961 Hohner Zambesi

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1963 Vox Super Ace

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1966 Vox New Escort

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1969 Fender catalog, Fender Lovin' Care

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1973 Eko Ranger Folk

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1966 Vox Symphonic bass guitar

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1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

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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

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.