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SELMER | CATALOGS | 1965/66 SELMER GUITARS AND ACCESSORIES

1965/66 Selmer 'Guitars and Accessories' catalog

Hofner, Gibson, and Hagstrom guitars

1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog front cover
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 2 - Hofner guitar features: bridge, tremolo, pickups
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 3 - Hofner Committee
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 4 - Hofner Verithin
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 5 - Hofner Ambassador
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 6 - Hofner President and Senator
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 7 - Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 8 - Hofner Committee Bass and Verithin Bass
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 9 - Hofner President bass and Senator bass
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 10 - Hofner Galaxie
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 11 - Hofner Artist and Professional Bass
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 12 -Hofner Committee and President acoustics
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 13 - Hofner Senator and Congress Acoustics
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 14 - Hofner Acoustic and Electro-Acoustic
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 15 - Hofner Acoustic and Electric-Acoustic twelve strings
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 16 - Hofner Artist and Standard Electric Hawaiian Guitars
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 17 - Hofner Vienna and Flamenco
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 18 - Hagstrom Viking
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 19 - Hagstrom Viking Bass
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 20 - Hagstrom Acoustic and Electro-Acoustic
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 21 - Hagstrom Acoustic and Electro-Acoustic 12-strings
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 22 - Futurama De Luxe Solids
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 23  Futurama Bass De Luxe
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 24 - Futurama Duo
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 25 - Giannini Models 6 and 104
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 26 - Futurama Cutaway, Selmer Triple-2 and Triple-3
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 27 - Gibson guitars
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 28 - Gibson Barney Kessel
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 29 - Gibson ES335TD and ES345TD thinlines
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 30 - Gibson ES330TD and ES175D electric acoustics
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 31 - Gibson EB-2 Bass
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 32 - Gibson SG Standard
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 33 - Gibson SG Special and SG Junior
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 34 - Gibson EB-0 and EB-3 bass guitars
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 35 - Gibson J-200
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 36 - Gibson Everly Brothers
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 37 - Gibson SJN Country Western and J-45 flat-tops
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 38 - Gibson J-160E and B-45 12-String
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 39 - Selmer guitar cases
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 40 - De Armond pickups and Bigsby Vibrato units
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 41 - Hofner guitar pickups
1965/66 Selmer "Guitars and Accessories" catalog page 42 - Gibson and Hofner strings
 

1965/1966 Selmer Guitars and Accessories catalog

44 pages, 10" x 8". Dated September 1965 (back page). This catalog contains guitars produced in numerous countries worldwide, imported for sale in the United Kingdom: guitars branded Hofner, Hagstrom, Futurama, Giannini and Gibson, with UK prices included; in guineas (this was still pre-decimalisation, 1 guinea = 21 shillings, or £1.05 in decimalised currency).

Selmer were, at the time, the exclusive distributors for these brands in the UK, and in parts of the Commonwealth. West German manufacturer Hofner was the biggest seller for Selmer, and naturally commands the first and largest section of this catalog.

Hofner produced numerous models, but those made for distribution by Selmer had their own distinct names and specifications, usually differing somewhat from the equivalents sold in mainland Europe. Although acoustic and solid body guitars are included here, the majority of Hofner instruments listed are semi-acoustics, which had been the mainstay of the range since the 1950s.

A number of new/redesigned models appeared in late 1965 for inclusion in this catalogue: the Ambassador, Verithin 66 and President being the most notable examples; the latter two models changing from the old Venetian cutaway body design to a sharper Florentine cutaway.

It was the final UK catalog appearance of several models though, most notably the Committee bass, President bass and Artist bass - all dual pickups models, leaving only the Violin bass and the entry-level single-pickup Professional and Senator in the 1968/69 Selmer catalog.

Selmer also stocked spare parts and accessories: pickups, tailpieces, strings etc, which appear in the final pages of the catalogue.

Hofner electric guitars:

Hofner Committee
Hofner Verithin 66
Hofner Ambassador
Hofner President
Hofner Senator
Hofner Galaxie

Hofner Basses:

Hofner Violin bass
Hofner Committee bass
Hofner Verithin bass
Hofner President bass
Hofner Senator bass
Hofner Artist bass
Hofner Professional bass

Hofner Acoustic guitars:

Hofner Committee
Hofner President
Hofner Senator
Hofner Congress
Hofner Acoustic
Hofner Electro-Acoustic
Hofner Acoustic 12-String
Hofner Electro-Acoustic 12-String
Hofner Vienna
Hofner Flamenco

Electric Hawaiian guitars:

Hofner Hawaiian Artist
Hofner Hawaiian Standard

Swedish manufacturer Hagstrom had supplied guitars to Selmer under it's own name, but also under Selmer's own brand Futurama (the De Luxe and De Luxe bass). The Futurama Duo, however, was made by another maker, CSHN of Czechoslovakia. Giannini, a less well-known brand in the UK, produced acoustic guitars in Brazil.

This was the last Selmer catalog to include Hagstrom and Futurama (irrespective of maker) guitars; by the next catalog (1968/69) they were gone, with Hagstrom distribution in the UK moving over to another London-based company, Rosetti.

Hagstrom Electric guitars:

Hagstrom Viking
Futurama II De Luxe
Futurama III De Luxe
Futurama Duo

Hagstrom Basses:

Hagstrom Viking bass
Futurama Bass De Luxe

Acoustic guitars:

Hagstrom Acoustic
Hagstrom Electro-Acoustic
Hagstrom Acoustic 12-String
Hagstrom Electro-Acoustic 12-String
Giannini model no. 104
Giannini model no. 6
Futurama Cutaway
Selmer Triple-2 / Triple-3

Selmer were the sole distributors of Gibson guitars in the United Kingdom. As everybody knows, they produced some of the very finest guitars available in the 1960s, and the prices listed are significantly higher than other guitars appearing in this catalog. Only a small selection of Gibson's range is included here; for a more complete view of the 1965/66 line, see the 1966 US Gibson catalogue.

Gibson electric acoustic guitars:

Gibson Barney Kessel
Gibson ES-330TD
Gibson ES-335TD
Gibson ES-345TD
Gibson ES-175D

Gibson electric solid body guitars:

Gibson SG Standard
Gibson SG Junior
Gibson SG Special

Gibson basses:

Gibson EB-0 bass
Gibson EB-2 bass
Gibson EB-3 bass

Gibson acoustic guitars:

Gibson J-200
Gibson Everly Brothers
Gibson SJN Country Western
Gibson J-45
Gibson J-160E
Gibson B-45-12

The final section of this catalog includes cases, pickups (by Hofner and De Armond), Bigbsy Vibrato units and strings by Gibson and Hofner.

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Vintage Gibson, Hofner and Hagstrom guitars for sale

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1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1966 Vox New EscortThe 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 CareCatalog 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 FolkThe 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 guitarThe 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 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.