1965/66 Selmer Guitars and Accessories Catalog, Page 27: Gibson guitars >> Vintage Guitar and Bass
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 | 1965/66 | PAGE 27

Cover page for the Gibson section of this catalog

1965/66 Selmer 'Guitars and Accessories' catalog, page 27

Gibson Electro-Acoustic, Solid, and Flat-Top Guitars; cover page for the Gibson section of this catalog: 11 pages featuring 17 models.

1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog, page 27: Gibson
Got an opinion on the contents of this page? Disagree with something written above? Please comment

Gibson 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.
Gibson l-5 Custom

Gibson l-5 Custom

Miami Beach, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9100

Great opportunity to own an amazing Gibson L5 Custom, well cared for with little usage. This is a model made between 2002 and 2010, and only played a handful of times out in public. I have provided photos of the serial #, and any questions can be answered and verified by Gibson. I also just paid to have it setup with 12??s, and neck adjustment. The guitar has been polished and hardware cleaned. Toggle switch, input, and pickups have all been tested and ready to go.
Please feel free to ... more
eBay logo
Gibson Melody Maker Guitar 1992 USA Vintage "nicotine" White 6lbs 10oz w / gig bag

Gibson Melody Maker Guitar 1992 USA Vintage "nicotine" White 6lbs 10oz w / gig bag

Huntington Station, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1199

Here we have a pre owned Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar. Made in the USA in 1992. Vintage "Nicotine" White. The white lacquer finish has faded with a perfect "yellowed" look to it. The Melody Maker is a solid body set neck guitar. Thin Mahogany body and neck with a Rosewood fingerboard. 3x3 Kluson Deluxe tuning machines. Dimarzio DP192 Air Zone humbucking pickup. Single Volume and Tone controls. Knobs not original. This guitar is lightweight at 6lbs 10oz. It comes with a newer... more
eBay logo
Vintage 70s Gibson Grabber bass guitar bridge plate and saddles

Vintage 70's Gibson Grabber bass guitar bridge plate and saddles

Graham, North Carolina, 272**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$69

Original 70's Gibson Grabber bass guitar bridge plate and saddles. No rear adjustment screws included. All threads have been tested and function fine. Only 3 mounting screws are included. Check out pictures. You will only receive what is pictured. Please ask any questions that need to be addressed before purchasing. Thanks and happy bidding
... more
eBay logo
Gibson Victory Artist Active 4- string Bass -1981

Gibson Victory Artist Active 4- string Bass -1981

Fernandina Beach, Florida, 320**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

Gibson Victory Artist Active 4- string Bass -1981 . Condition is Used. Local pickup only.... more
eBay logo
1984 Gibson Gibson Explorer Designer Series - Ebony Black

1984 Gibson Gibson Explorer Designer Series - Ebony Black

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

$3499

1985 Gibson Explorer Designer Series - Ebony Black

Set up well and is a great player. Nice low action


Exceptionally impressive Designer Series from the mid-80s


Weight is 9 1 lbs. All original with no mods and features Dirty Fingers pickups and a Kahler tremolo.

Overall, the condition is very good and is about as clean of an example as we have seen for this particular model. Light play wear throughout. Some light checking on the top ... more
eBay logo
1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard - Natural

1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard - Natural

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

$2999

1978 Gibson Les Paul Standard - Natural

Set up well and plays fast and smooth up and down the neck

This LP has a fantastic top with birdseye popping within the maple in some spots. Weight is 10 6 lbs. It has vintage DiMarzio double white pickups in both the neck and bridge position that sound really nice. Caps might have been replaced as well but not sure. I??m not aware of any other mods. Original pickups not included

Overall, the condition is very good. ... more
eBay logo
1973 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red

1973 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red

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

$4849

1973 Gibson ES-335 - Cherry Red



Set up well and plays great up and down the neck



Original except for the volume out has been replaced (original included) and a refret



Overall, the condition is good. Player grade guitar but in nice shape and solid. The frets, fretboard, and neck show minor signs of use throughout. The body has light pick marks on the pickguard, patina on the hardware, and wear around the knobs. ... more
eBay logo
Vintage 1965 Gibson SG Junior Jr.

Vintage 1965 Gibson SG Junior Jr.

Emeryville, California, 946**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6795

Vintage 1965 Gibson SG Junior Jr. This guitar has all the original parts and the originalcherry red finish, but I am not the original owner. It was bought second-hand in 1983 from arespected guitar dealer in the Washington D C. area. (Gil??s, not sure if he??s still around).
S / N 264455. (I blurred out the last two digits of the serial number in the photo ofthe headstock ) Potentiometer number 137650?
The neck joint is completely intact, as is theheadstock. The neck is straight as ... more
eBay logo
2022 70th Anniversary Gibson Murphy Lab 1957 r7 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty ULA

2022 70th Anniversary Gibson Murphy Lab 1957 r7 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty ULA

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

$5099

Nothing says classy quite as well as a ?57 reissue r7 black beauty. This is a painstakingly crafted reissue of Les Paul??s guitar that he wanted to bring along to the most special of occasions. Multi-ply binding says the level of hours and toil the custom shop has to take to craft one of these instruments. The ultra light Murphy treatment is what sets it apart from the rest of the crowd. This one has an amazing all mahogany construction and a really delicately done finish with just the hint of ... more
eBay logo
1962 Gibson Falcon GA-19RVT Tube Combo Amp w / 12" Jensen, Reverb & Tremolo

1962 Gibson Falcon GA-19RVT Tube Combo Amp w / 12" Jensen, Reverb & Tremolo

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

$795

Bring your sound to life with the 1962 Gibson Falcon GA-19RVT Tube Combo Amp! Boasting a powerful 12" Jensen speaker, reverb, and tremolo, this amp delivers dynamic tones and versatile effects. Its vintage design and authentic tube sound will elevate your performances to a whole new level
Local pickup ONLY
... more
eBay logo
One 1966-1969 Bass Side TUNER For Gibson EB-0 Melody Maker Epiphone Vintage #2

One 1966-1969 Bass Side TUNER For Gibson EB-0 Melody Maker Epiphone Vintage #2

Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$50

Tuners like this were used on some, but not all, Epiphone, Gibson EB-0, Melody Maker and Kalamazoo model basses circa 1966-68. This one shows vintage wear, and pitting on the chrome plate, but works as it should. This one is very pitted
7 % sales tax will be added to all items shipped inside the state of Florida. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes ... more
eBay logo
1976 USA Gibson MARAUDER Guitar Pickguard Project Part

1976 USA Gibson MARAUDER Guitar Pickguard Project Part

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

$69

Single ply, white plastic, light almond color from age, bridge opening has been oversized, normal vintage wear, no other alterations, thanks for looking!
... more
eBay logo
Lab Series L3 60 Watt 1x12 Guitar Combo Amp Moog Norlin Gibson

Lab Series L3 60 Watt 1x12 Guitar Combo Amp Moog Norlin Gibson

Hendersonville, North Carolina, 287**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400

Here's a really cool amp .It was made by the Norlin Corporation that owned Gibson the 1970s and 80s. The circuitry was designed at least in part by Bob Moog. They have become known for their fantastic sound, response and versatility. If you Google them you'll see they were used by artists like Ty Tabor Ronnie Montrose and BB King
... more
eBay logo
1985 Tokai Love Rock Model Gibson Les Paul COPY Electric Guitar Rare Vintage

1985 Tokai Love Rock Model Gibson Les Paul COPY Electric Guitar Rare Vintage

Honolulu, Hawaii, 968**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2900

1985 Tokai Love Rock Model
Les Paul COPY
Cherry Burst
Electric Guitar
Made in Japan
Includes: Guitar Only
Appears to be all original as I did no work on this guitar since I purchased it for my collection. I purchased this guitar in 1988 from a local guitar store in Hawaii. This beautiful Cherry Burst finished guitar has been sitting in it??s case since I purchased it. On the back of the headstock there is a serial number #5031691 which dates 1985. This guitar is in excellent ... more
eBay logo
Vintage Gibson Les Paul XR-2 Sunburst 1982

Vintage Gibson Les Paul XR-2 Sunburst 1982

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2999


Vintage Gibson Les Paul XR-2 Sunburst 1982
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
Made for only a brief moment in the early '80s, this gorgeous XR-2 model features a pair of creamy sounding mini humbuckers with coil tap. The neck is silky smooth & plays perfectly anywhere on the fretboard. Professionally inspected & set up ready to play upon arrival
Cosmetic Condition: Superb condition considering it's over 40 years old with only some mild ... more
eBay logo
Gibson SJ Southern Jumbo 1970 Acoustic Guitar +OHSC

Gibson SJ Southern Jumbo 1970 Acoustic Guitar +OHSC

Boulder, Colorado, 803**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1800

Gibson SJ Southern Jumbo 1970 Acoustic Guitar +OHSC
I think it is a 1970, but not certain, the serial numbers are weird at this point for Gibson. The guitar looks like a 69 with the parallelogram inlays. The serial number is 955285 and it states MADE IN USA, it is missing the label inside, you can see a little glue where it once was see photos for detailsThe guitar is 100% original, no repairs, no fret work, no nothing mostly it has been sitting in the case in cool dry Colorado for years. It ... more
eBay logo
1961 Gibson ES-330 Thinline hollowbody electric guitar

1961 Gibson ES-330 Thinline hollowbody electric guitar

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

$6495

1960 Gibson ES-330, Hard to find Cherry Red finish, P-90pickup, ??60 neck profile, 1 & 11 / 16th inches wide at the nut, Reissuetailpiece, Weighs only 5 lbs 7 4 oz, Nicely set up with sweet low action, Finesounding instrument, EC, Original soft case
... more
eBay logo
electric guitar for sale Gibson 1979 SG standard

electric guitar for sale Gibson 1979 SG standard

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

$4000

Vintage Gibson SG standard for salE 1979, Kalamazoo USA, all original except for strap lock buttons, t top pickups Molded Gibson chainsaw case in great condition, Grover tuners pots dated 79, shaller bridge, small scratches here and there, usual buckle rash expected for a 46 year old guitar, great comfortable med slim neck, wide low frets, .grab historical piece of USA craftsmanship, plays and sings like birds singing in the morning they don't make any like this anymore.... more
eBay logo
1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom Alpine White, Randy Rhoads Mods w /  Case

1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom Alpine White, Randy Rhoads Mods w / Case

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

$10500

Up for sale, a 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom in excellent condition, featuring a suite of Randy Rhoads-centric mods and complete with the original hardshell case. A unique example that replicates all the finer points of Randy Rhoads?? Custom, this vintage Norlin-era Les Paul is otherwise extremely original with a naturally yellowed Alpine White nitro lacquer gloss
For about half the price of a Custom Shop reissue, this Les Paul is the genuine vintage article, presumably modified long ago ... more
eBay logo
Gibson Acoustic Guitar Circa 1967

Gibson Acoustic Guitar Circa 1967

Elberta, Alabama, 365**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1150

SERIAL # 862151 Wood shows cracking in the finish based on the age. Still plays and sounds classic Gibson. This Gibson acoustic guitar from circa 1967 is a beautiful vintage piece that would make a great addition to any musician's collection. With a right-handed orientation and 6 string configuration, it is perfect for intermediate level players who are looking for a classic sound. The body type is a parlor style, and the brown color adds to its vintage charm.
This guitar was made in the ... more
eBay logo

Find more Gibson guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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

Comment on this article

Anti-spam question - to catch web robots

Contact
info@vintageguitarandbass.com

mailing list

Follow

Facebook  Instagram  YouTube

Other Great Sites

Recent posts on vintage guitar and bass

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

1973 Shaftesbury 3400 This example of the Shaftesbury 3400 was produced by Japanese manufacturer Matsumoku who made some great quality guitars in the 1970s and 1980s. This is a slightly later example, and has some features not seen on earlier 3400s. Although nice guitars, these are not in the same league as the Gibson Les Paul it was emulating (no set neck, no carved maple top); but they are far better than many of the entry-level Les Paul copies available in the mid-1970s - for example the Shaftesbury 3400 has gold plated hardware, a solid body bound front and back, Maxon brand humbuckers and nice inlaid neck and headstock.

1971 Epiphone 1802T

1971 Epiphone 1802T The Epiphone 1802T was the early name given to the Epiphone ET-270 and derived from an existing Aria guitar, also the 1802T. This was the first of the 1970s Epiphone solid bodies made in Japan by Matsumoku.The model evolved somewhat over its short production run: the very earliest examples were very similar to the Aria, sharing the same body shape, hardware, and clear-coated neck with Fender-style headstock with decal logo. By the time it was designated the Epiphone ET-270 it had been upgraded with the classic Epiphone-style headstock, with nice inlaid logo, and Epiphone 'E' motifs on the truss rod cover and scratchplate. This example from 1971 is somewhere in between with the Epiphone-style headstock, but with silk-screened logo, and no 'E's.

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