Vintage Guitars
I'm happy with this
This website uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse traffic. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. See terms and conditions
SELMER | CATALOGS | 1960 GUITARS AND STRINGS | PAGE 3

The Golden Hofner

Page 3 of the 1960 Selmer Catalog

1960 Selmer guitar catalogue. Page 3. The short-lived Golden Hofner was the finest electric guitar in the 1960 catalogue, with it's carved spruce top, flamed maple sides, Grenadilla ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays and engraved gold plated hardware. It was also the largest, with a body width of 21 1/4" at its widest point. Typical of high-end Hofner guitars, it had the characteristic frondose headstock shape. Like the rest of the guitars in this catalogue it was fitted with the thinner "Slenda-nek", adjustable truss rod and new "Super Response" pickups.

Two models are described: the full-bodied (3 1/8") Golden Hofner, no. 523, and the thinline version, no. T523 - both listed with a UK price of 95 gns.

A sister model, the acoustic Golden Hofner, is also shown on page 17.

The superb Golden Hofner is the combination of years of experience in guitar design

1960 Selmer Hofner guitar catalog page 3 - details of the Golden Hofner

Hofner guitars for sale

Vintageguitarandbass.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.
Hofner Colorama double-cut HH electric red

Hofner Colorama double-cut HH electric red

Lynn, Massachusetts, 019**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$475

Works great. Straight neck, good action, frets have very little wear, truss turns, electronics are clean. There's some chipping on the nut. Doesn't affect playability. Regular player wear throughout. Features set maple neck, rosewood fretboard, abalone inlays, mini humbuckers, Grover tuners. Ships to lower 48. No case. No trades.... more
eBay logo
1960s Hofner Colorama model 161 Circa 1960s - Redburst Made in Germany Vintage

1960's Hofner Colorama model 161 Circa 1960's - Redburst Made in Germany Vintage

Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$795

This Hofner Model 161 Colorama was made in Germany in the early to mid 1960's. The guitar is a fun little single pickup guitar that plays and sounds good. The guitar is super light and weighs 4 LBS & 8 ounces. The body is very thin and comfortable to play. The guitar is in good shape for it's age but does show a fair amount of nicks, dings and scratches. The high E tuner is changed but the guitar is otherwise original to the best of my knowledge. The pickup sounds good and the electronics ... more
eBay logo
1960s Hofner 172 Colorama II Electric Guitar Red Vinyl

1960s Hofner 172 Colorama II Electric Guitar Red Vinyl

Benicia, California, 945**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$799

Buy with confidence knowing this guitar will rock your socks off! We ship off same day or next business day!
In the early 1960s, rock music was sweeping across Europe, and one of the most iconic bands of that era was undoubtedly the Beatles. Their arrival on the scene in 1962 and 1963 marked the onset of Beatlemania, a phenomenon that swept the globe, with audiences clamoring to see them perform and emulate their style
The immense demand for instruments like the ones the Beatles played ... more
eBay logo
late 60s Hofner Galaxie 176

late 60s Hofner Galaxie 176

Long Beach, California, 908**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

Let's go surfing now!Tremelo is repaired & working great. All electronics have been cleaned & work as they should too. One exception is the tone for the neck pickup is frozen. Fortunately it's in the all-the-way-up position. There is some fret wear mostly on the high E and B, but it doesn't buzz and there's plenty of meat left on the frets if you want to do a level Lots of finish checking & character Remains of a hard case included.... more
eBay logo
HOFNER GERMANY VERITHIN VERYTHIN STANDARD ELECTRIC GUITAR

HOFNER GERMANY VERITHIN VERYTHIN STANDARD ELECTRIC GUITAR

Fort Worth, Texas, 761**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

HOFNER VERITHIN VERYTHIN STANDARD HOLLOW BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR

MADE IN GERMANY IN 2004

IN GREAT CONDITION

PLEASE VIEW PHOTOS
I GUARANTEE THIS GUITAR TO BE AS DESCRIBED
If you have ANY questions, please ask BEFORE bidding
Thanks, Chris
 
 
 UNQUALIFIED RETURNS 25% RESTOCKING FEE

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ MY AUCTION TERMS  
My Feedback rating is 100% and I do my best to accurately describe my items for sale  
Due to the... more
eBay logo
Vintage RARE Hofner 4990-12 1975 Natural Acoustic Made in Germany

Vintage RARE Hofner 4990-12 1975 Natural Acoustic Made in Germany

Mount Sinai, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1600

Up for sale is a RARE Hofner 4990-12 from 1975. Made in Germany. Featured on Steve??s Vintage Hofner website! A photo of this guitar was apparently never put in their 1975 catalogue. I have never seen another like one like this. Definitely a rare find

The projection in on this guitar is very powerful. The grain on the woods are beautiful. And the bookmark matched back is truly stunning. It is a work of art!

Open chords are easy to play. The action is high as you get down ... more
eBay logo
Vintage 1965 Hofner Hollow Body Electric Guitar 4570e NEAR MINT W. GERMANY

Vintage 1965 Hofner Hollow Body Electric Guitar 4570e NEAR MINT W. GERMANY

Montclair, New Jersey, 070**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2795

Vintage 1965 Höfner Hollow Body Electric Guitar Model 4570e NEAR MiNT! MADE IN GERMANY
This gorgeous, vintage 1965 wide-body semi-hollow Höfner was made in West Germany and is a special instrument. It has been remarkably preserved over the years and shows little to no signs of its age.
A beautiful medium sunburst, a pearloid inlay fretboard and headstock make this a work of art. Every bit of this guitar is original.
The pickups were rewired about five years ago (see pictures) and ... more
eBay logo
Vtg 60??s Hofner Hollow Body Electric Guitar Made in West Germany

Vtg 60??s Hofner Hollow Body Electric Guitar Made in West Germany

Sacramento, California, 958**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL TERMS PRIOR TO BIDDING!
*
YOU ARE BIDDING ON ITEM
Vintage Electric Guitar
AS PICTURED

ALL contacts between bidders / buyers and seller must be made via EBAY MESSAGES ONLY.
Please, DO NOT send any emails to our email address, we are not able to get to them in a timely manner


All items get checked before listing.

... more
eBay logo
Hofner Jazzica Custom

Hofner Jazzica Custom

San Pedro, California, 907**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3300

Hofner Jazzica Custom.

Excellent condition Hofner Jazzica Custom.

Guitar sounds and plays fantastically. Currently set up with flat wound 12s.

Comes with F holes mutes and hardcase. However some of the stands have fallen off the hardcase.
... more
eBay logo
1957 Hofner model 127 Club 50 a killer John Lennon "Beatle" guitar very clean !

1957 Hofner model 127 Club 50 a killer John Lennon "Beatle" guitar very clean !

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

$3495

This super rare and very early ?Sunburst?? Model 127 Club 50 it has a 13 inch wide, 2 inch thick, single cutaway hollow body, with a slightly arched top and a flat-back. One-piece natural spruce ?carved?? top with a one-piece maple back. The sides of the body are lightly flamed maple and triple-bound bound in black. Original two-layer pearloid over black plastic heel-cap. Three-piece (maple-beech-maple) neck with a scale length of 24 1 / 4 inches, a nut width of just under 1 5 / 8 inches and a ... more
eBay logo
Rare Vtg Hofner Electric Guitar Made in West Germany

Rare Vtg Hofner Electric Guitar Made in West Germany

Sacramento, California, 958**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6000

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL TERMS PRIOR TO BIDDING!
*
YOU ARE BIDDING ON ITEM
Electric Guitar
AS PICTURED
ALL contacts between bidders / buyers and seller must be made via EBAY MESSAGES ONLY
... more
eBay logo
70s HOFNER TONE KNOB

70's HOFNER TONE KNOB

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€49

1 knob ONLY
... more
eBay logo
Framus Guitar With Rare  Hofner pickup

Framus Guitar With Rare Hofner pickup

Tonbridge, TN11***, UNITED KINGDOM

£175

a Framus made in the late fifties, it??s fitted with a very collectible aftermarket pick up that is Hofner branded!

well used some damage to the veneer and there seems to be a knob / marble stuck inside!!

Lovely for strumming as well as plugging in
Used by my husband but no longer plays!
Pick up in person and welcome to try before you buy!
Also see other guitars for sell
... more
eBay logo
60er HOFNER GALAXY SCHLAGBRETT & ELEKTRONIK

60er HOFNER GALAXY SCHLAGBRETT & ELEKTRONIK

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£222

warped
... more
eBay logo
 Vintage 1969 Hofner 492 E 12 corde / 12 string

 Vintage 1969 Hofner 492 E 12 corde / 12 string

Napoli, 80***, ITALY

€290

Vintage 1969 Hofner 492 E 12 corde / 12 string. La chitarra suona bene, manca il pickup nella buca ed una meccanica è da riparare. Il top è in masello e i lati sono in mogano laminato Tastiera in palissandro, capotasto in metallo e tasto zero
Vintage 1969 Hofner 492 E 12 string guitar Elewctric pickup missing, one tuner needs fixing. Body size is 20 5" longx 16 25" 4.75" depth
Spruce top and mahogany laminated sides Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays, metal nut with zero fret
... more
eBay logo
Project - Vintage Hofner Colorama (Germany) Circa. 1960s Electric Guitar - Red

Project - Vintage Hofner Colorama (Germany) Circa. 1960s Electric Guitar - Red

Nottingham, NG3***, UNITED KINGDOM

£300

A nice Hofner Colorama electric guitar, made in Germany circa 1960s
Hofner introduced the Colorama model in order to compete with its USA contemporaries?? dual pickup, double cut designed electric guitars
This is one such example, made in Germany circa 1960s
All original, save for a replaced nut and electronics touch up by Dicky of Fontaine Guitars (Nottingham). Note, Fontaine noted that while working, the single pickup has a relatively weak output - and may be in need of rewinding, ... more
eBay logo
60er HOFNER COLORAMA - ROT VINYL

60er HOFNER COLORAMA - ROT VINYL

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£333

60's HOFNER COLORAMA :
* missing parts=as pictured
* tuner buttons were changed out
* neck has a back bow around first 4 frets
* frets are worn
* has the large Galaxie tremolo=worth 200 quid
* NO truss rod bullet present=check last pic
... more
eBay logo
Lap Steel Hofner anno 1961

Lap Steel Hofner anno 1961

Napoli, 80***, ITALY

€350

Vendo Lap Steel Hofner anno 1961 in condizioni ottime e funzionante. Astuccio originale Vendo Lap Steel Hofner anno 1961 in condizioni ottime e funzionante... more
eBay logo
Vintage Hofner Colorama (Germany) Circa. 1960s Electric Guitar - Red gloss

Vintage Hofner Colorama (Germany) Circa. 1960s Electric Guitar - Red gloss

St. Albans, AL4***, UNITED KINGDOM

£390

Vintage Hofner Colorama (Germany) Circa. 1960s Electric Guitar - Red gloss. 1961 / 2 German Hofner Colorama V2 before the awful plastic covered ones Natural relic body, the neck has been refurbished as the guitar was saved from a fire and the head only was scorched, it has been Professionally re varnished in vintage tint and new sealed logo applied. The tuners are original as are all the components of the guitar. The buttons have been replaced as they were scorched The chrome is exceptional ... more
eBay logo
Hofner solid 173  /  galaxy vintage electric guitar. Germany 60??s

Hofner solid 173 / galaxy vintage electric guitar. Germany 60??s

Willesden , NW10***, UNITED KINGDOM

£399

Hofner solid body guitar, vintage, made in Germany in the 60??s.

The neck doesn??t belong to the body originally, but these solid models were very similar, so it fits and looks perfect, I think the only difference with the neck is the fretboard mother of Pearl marking. I think the neck is model galaxy, and the rest is 173, but I might be wrong, as I said, these models are very similar.

The neck is in great condition, it is straight and the truss rod works. The frets have... more
eBay logo

Find more Hofner guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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

Comment on this article

Name
Email address
Anti-spam question - to catch web robots
How many legs does a duck have?

Contact
info@vintageguitarandbass.com

mailing list

Follow

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  YouTube

Other Great Sites

Recent posts on vintage guitar and bass

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

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 catalog Hagstrom 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 President The 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.

1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manual

1971 Gibson Les Paul Recording guitar owners manual The newly designed Les Paul Recording guitar was released in 1971, in many ways as an updated version of the Les Paul Professional that had debuted two years earlier in 1969. The new guitar came with a new owners manual explaining the (somewhat complicated) controls, their operation, and giving other specifications, including recommended strings, action and control settings. Compare with the broadly similar owners manual for the Les Paul Personal / Professional