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WEM | AMPLIFIERS | DOMINATOR BASS MKI

WEM Dominator MKIII

15w five tube guitar amplifier

1966 Vox New Escort / 1976 WEM Dominator mkIII (short version, 2m 15s)

Find out more about these instruments here: 1966 Vox New Escort, 1976 WEM Dominator mkIII

This is a fabulous guitar - Vox's take on the Fender Telecaster (which was in pretty short supply in mid-1960s Britain), and actually a pretty awesome player. It has some gorgeous snarl through this WEM Dominator, but check it out through the 1963 WEM ER15 and 1965 Vox AC4 in our other videos.

Recorded here with a Heil PR-40 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!

1966 Vox New Escort / 1976 WEM Dominator mkIII (long version, 9m 50s)

Find out more about these instruments here: 1966 Vox New Escort, 1976 WEM Dominator mkIII

This is a fabulous guitar - Vox's take on the Fender Telecaster (which was in pretty short supply in mid-1960s Britain), and actually a pretty awesome player. It has some gorgeous snarl through this WEM Dominator, but check it out through the 1963 WEM ER15 and 1965 Vox AC4 in our other videos

Recorded here with a Heil PR-40 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!

1981 Gibson Marauder / 1976 WEM Dominator mkIII - vintage guitar demo (4m 37s)

Find out more about these instruments here: 1981 Gibson Marauder, 1976 WEM Dominator mkIII

This is a tasty combination. Actually these two give a pretty bassy basic tone, and the whole amp rattles and vibrates with any significant volume, especially on the lower strings - so quite a few of the settings I used had the amp bass rolled down to some extent. But not all - turn it up loud enough and you can't hear the amp anyway! This amp has some truly wonderful grittier tones, and a world apart from the clean tones of many other amps. Compare the sounds attained here with those from a Fender amp, or Gibson/Norlin solid state LAB series amp. Strung with Gibson bright wires (10-46)

Recorded here with a Shure SM57 (left channel) and a Heil PR-40 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!

1981 Gibson Marauder / 1976 WEM Dominator mkIII - vintage guitar demo, long version (long version, 11m 21s)

Find out more about these instruments here: 1981 Gibson Marauder, 1976 WEM Dominator mkIII

Long version of this video with extra guitar and amp settings. This is a great guitar/amp combination, with a lot of awesome clean and distorted sounds.

Recorded here with a Shure SM57 (left channel) and a Heil PR-40 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!

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WEM Dominator amps for sale

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WEM Westminster 15 1x12" Combo 1973 - Black

WEM Westminster 15 1x12" Combo 1973 - Black

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

$799

Here we have a vintage 1973 WEM Westminster 15 tube combo amplifier! This is a 1x12" amp with 15 watts that is in excellent condition. It has two inputs with a treble boost switch, volume and bass controls plus a treble control that also turns the amp off. It has a 3 prong US power plug but appears to still be a 220 voltage amplifier. The exterior is in fantastic shape and the amp appears to be in good working order. Please review interior shots
... more
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WEM cw77556 DOMINATOR 1980

WEM cw77556 DOMINATOR 1980

Hückeswagen, 42***, GERMANY

€375

Der WEM cw77556 DOMINATOR 1980 ist ein bemerkenswerter Verstärker für Gitarren und Bässe. Mit seinem markanten WEM-Logo auf der Der Verstärker ist aus den 80er Jahren und hat eine Leistung von 100 Watt. Er verfügt über 2 Kanäle mit jeweils 3-Band-EQ und einem Federhall-Effekt. Der DOMINATOR ist bekannt für seinen warmen und klaren Klang und ist ein Muss für jeden Gitarristen oder Bassisten, der auf der Suche nach einem Vintage-Verstärker ist
... more
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1979 WEM - Dominator 45 - ID 1744

1979 WEM - Dominator 45 - ID 1744

Emmering, 82***, GERMANY

€977

Rare British Combo
Zustand: Gut
SerNr: CW81773
Gewicht: 25 kg Versandklasse: Heavy
Differenzbesteuert nach §25 UStG
Dieser seltene Brite kann sowohl als Gitarren, als auch als Bassverstärker genutzt werden.
Er bleibt lange clean und ist sehr stabil im Bass Fundament, geht dann bei Volllast in eine leichte Sättigung über. Auf Pedale reagiert er äusserst freundlich
2 Kanäle
45 Watt
4 x EL84
15" Fane Speaker
Guter Zustand, frisch gecheckt in der Guitar ... more
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WEM Power Musette MK II 1x12" combo valve amplifier

WEM Power Musette MK II 1x12" combo valve amplifier

Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3***, UNITED KINGDOM

£400

Vintage Watkins Electric Music (WEM) Power Musette MK II combo amplifier
Dating to the mid-1970s, the Power Musette MK II is a valve combo amplifier featuring a single 12 inch speaker cone; featuring two channels that can be used simultaneously with two separate inputs, each with a dedicated volume, bass and treble control (and an additional 'treble boost' circuit switch on channel 1), this model was initially marketed towards keyboard, organ and accordion players with its dual input ... more
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Vintage 1973 Celestion G12S T1523 Guitar  /  bass Speaker WEM Dominator spec

Vintage 1973 Celestion G12S T1523 Guitar / bass Speaker WEM Dominator spec

London, E7***, UNITED KINGDOM

£135


Vintage 1973 Celestion g12S speaker
20ws @ 16 ohms with a 50hZ bass cone
This came out of a WEM dominator that was broken for spares, perfect if you have an early seventies WEM dominator and want a WEM spec driver
More photos to follow once its out of the cab it is in - this has a whizzer cone to extend the high frequencies, I can remove this if you wish(message me)
Anything else just ask
... more
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Wem Dominator 45 AP Combo Amp

Wem Dominator 45 AP Combo Amp

London, E5***, UNITED KINGDOM

£491

This is a rare Combo amp by WEM, that can be used for guitar or bass, or other instruments. I have only used it with guitar. A telecaster or Strat sound awesome through it as does a Les Paul The 15 inch speaker gives your sound a clarity and body. This is a loud amp with big character. The 'bright' switch will give funky players shimmer and sparkle. Rock guitarists will love its grit and headroom that will find it's place in the mix even with loud drummer or bass This amp is in good used ... more
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Vintage 1970s WEM Elac 2x10 w /  Tweeter PA Amplifier Cabinets EMPTY *Ex Graphite*

Vintage 1970s WEM Elac 2x10 w / Tweeter PA Amplifier Cabinets EMPTY *Ex Graphite*

Heanor, DE75***, UNITED KINGDOM

£395

Vintage 1970s WEM Elac 2x10 w / Tweeter PA Amplifier Cabinets EMPTY *Ex Graphite
I am so excited to offer this pair of cabinets for sale. These were originally owned by British Rustic-Folk band Graphite, who stencilled their band name to the rear, and then were sold on to a small studio where they'd been for many years, unused. They're what I believe to be one of only a handful of custom made PA cabinets. I've not seen another set of 2x10 PA columns, with the added Celestion T1360 tweeters.... more
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1977 WEM ?? Westminster - Abi von Reininghaus -

1977 WEM ?? Westminster - Abi von Reininghaus -

Emmering, 82***, GERMANY

€1027

Abi von Reininghaus, erfolgreicher deutscher Gitarrist,
Komponist, Buch- und Kolumnenautor,
Dozent und Gitarrenversteher
trennt sich von einem Teil seines Equipments
Besondere Instrumente und Verstärker
?? treue Weggefährten aus fast 40 Jahren
extremer Kreativität und leidenschaftlicher Suche
nach dem perfekten Sound ??
suchen neue Liebhaber!
Kultiger kleiner, leichter Röhren-Amp für Studio oder Live
Zustand: Gut
SerNr: CW 77538
Gewicht: 18 kg ... more
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80er WEM DOMINATOR 25 MK II COMBO RÖHRENVERSTÄRKER - Made in ENGLAND

80er WEM DOMINATOR 25 MK II COMBO RÖHRENVERSTÄRKER - Made in ENGLAND

Köln, 50***, GERMANY

€599

80's WEM Dominator 25 MK II COMBO -- made in England:
+ 25 watts
+ all tubes
+ NO SPEAKER INCLUDED (cut for a 15 ")
... more
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1979 WEM - Dominator - CW- 77556

1979 WEM - Dominator - CW- 77556

Hückeswagen, 42***, GERMANY

€300

GEBRAUCHT - KEINE Rücknahme
Die Lautstärke Regler machen ein kratzenses geräusch
Was aber mit ein wenig Kontaktspray erledigt sein sollte
Röhren Gitarren Combo
Dieser gebrauchte WEM Dominator CW-77556 Combo-Verstärker stammt aus dem Jahr 1979 und ist ein echtes Juwel für Gitarristen und Bassisten. Mit seinem charakteristischen Sound und seiner robusten Konstruktion ist er ein Klassiker unter den Verstärkern
Die Marke WEM steht für ... more
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80er WEM DOMINATOR 25 MK II COMBO RÖHRENVERSTÄRKER - Made in ENGLAND

80er WEM DOMINATOR 25 MK II COMBO RÖHRENVERSTÄRKER - Made in ENGLAND

Köln, 50***, GERMANY

€599

80's WEM Dominator 25 MK II COMBO -- made in England:
+ 25 watts
+ all tubes
+ NO SPEAKER INCLUDED (cut for a 15 ")
... more
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Pair of matching 2x10 Elac C 10" ceramic guitar speakers 1965 Wem Vox Dallas

Pair of matching 2x10 Elac C 10" ceramic guitar speakers 1965 Wem Vox Dallas

London, E7***, UNITED KINGDOM

£313

pair of matching mid sixties Elac 10" guitar speakers
10 watts @ 8 ohms each
These were originally in a Selmer two tone cab
cool ceramic guitar speakers with their original cones, one of the frames is unpainted, not sure why, both have their model no stamps and Elac labels,
fully functional with no issues(just some dust flecks to one of the cones), I collect speakers so these will be well packed and arrive ready to rock
These can be wired in either 16 ohms or 4 ohms and will ... more
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1960s Rare Collectable Watkins Dominator Guitar Amp Blue Cream.

1960's Rare Collectable Watkins Dominator Guitar Amp Blue Cream.

London, W7***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1435

Experience the vintage roar with the Watkins Dominator amplifier, a beloved classic from 1965 that has shaped the sound of rock 'n' roll. This combo amplifier, renowned for its robust sonic presence, comes equipped with two speakers that deliver a powerful and nuanced audio landscape, perfect for musicians who crave that authentic retro tone
Meticulously crafted to meet the high standards of vintage enthusiasts, the Watkins Dominator is a testament to the golden era of music. Its timeless ... more
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valve head  /  combo  /  cabinet Strap handle 1960??s Chrome - Vox Carlsbro Laney Wem

valve head / combo / cabinet Strap handle 1960??s Chrome - Vox Carlsbro Laney Wem

London, E7***, UNITED KINGDOM

£28

valve head / combo / cabinet Strap handle 1960??s Chrome as used by Vox, Dallas Arbiter, Carlsbro, Laney, Soundcity, Wem etc
8?? long these were often used on the 1x12 practice combos as well as copicats
Great condition for its age!
Sale includes the mounting bolts / nuts - this was taken from a Laney 1x12 from 1969
It??s will be sent out with Royal Mail
Anything else just ask
... more
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1970s Vintage Wem Amplifier mk1

1970s Vintage Wem Amplifier mk1

Nottingham, NG5***, UNITED KINGDOM

£450

This vintage WEM amplifier from the 1970s offers a classic sound for electric and bass guitars  With a powerful 15W output and two channels,  it provides a rich and diverse range of tones suitable for any musician  The cabinet design ensures that the sound is projecting evenly and the single speaker delivers a high-quality sound that is sure to impress any audiophile ... more
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Pair 2x Vintage 1960s Elac 10N / 87 15ohm 10" Speakers Watkins V Front Vox AC10

Pair 2x Vintage 1960s Elac 10N / 87 15ohm 10" Speakers Watkins V Front Vox AC10

Heanor, DE75***, UNITED KINGDOM

£225

Pair 2x Vintage 1960s Elac 10N / 87 15ohm 10" Speakers Watkins V Front Vox AC10
This is a wonderful matched pair of original Elac 10N / 87 speakers, as used in Vox AC10 and Watkins V Front amplifiers. These ones are 16ohms and are in perfect working order - and super clean condition too! Original cones, tested well, and ready to go! I've got quite a few of these, so if you need more let me know. Please have a close look at the high resolution photographs below, as these form part of our ... more
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80s WEM DOMINATOR 25 MK II COMBO TUBE AMP - made in ENGLAND

80's WEM DOMINATOR 25 MK II COMBO TUBE AMP - made in ENGLAND

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€499


80's WEM Dominator 25 MK II COMBO -- made in England:
+ 25 watts
+ all tubes
+ NO SPEAKER INCLUDED (cut for a 15 ")
ATTENTION! OVER 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
CHECK OUR SHOP OUT -------------->>>>>... more
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Set of 7x Vintage 1970s  1 / 4?? control knobs - Carlsbro - WEM - Watkins

Set of 7x Vintage 1970's 1 / 4?? control knobs - Carlsbro - WEM - Watkins

London, E7***, UNITED KINGDOM

£125

Set of x7 vintage 1970's Taiwanese amplifier control knobs
these will fit a 1 / 4" shaft and afix with grub screws
these are just over an inch wide and are nice and heavy not cheap like the later knobs in this style
Perfect if you have a vintage seventies amplifier / FX unit and want some period correct knobs
Buy them before I decide to buy an amp to put them on!!
the listing is for 7
anything else just ask
... more
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Vintage Watkins Westminster Tremolo Valve Amplifier

Vintage Watkins Westminster Tremolo Valve Amplifier

Farnborough, GU14***, UNITED KINGDOM

£750

Rare Watkins amplifier in good working order. Has evidently had some work done previously, unsure when or if serviced. Used. Some marks, fair condition for its age. See all photos for overall condition. With foot switch. Mains lead will need plug fitting. With cover. Collection preferable.
... more
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60s WATKINS THE SHADOW ECHO - TUBE PREAMP - made in U K.

60's WATKINS THE SHADOW ECHO - TUBE PREAMP - made in U K.

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£469

60's WATKINS THE SHADOW ECHO - made in U K.:
+ tube preamp
+ UNTESTED
+ 220 volts
+ SOLD AS IS - NO RETURNS... more
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Find more WEM Dominator amps for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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1973 Hagstrom Swede Bass

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1973 Shaftesbury 3400

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1971 Shaftesbury 3400

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1981 Gibson Victory MVX

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1970 Rosetti Epiphone guitar catalogue

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A World of Guitars by Rosetti - 1971

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1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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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

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