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FENDER | AMPLIFIERS | SHOWMAN

Fender Showman

electric guitar amplifier

Amplifier advertisements originally published from 1966 onwards. Click on the images for larger copies. Check out other vintage Fender advertisements

Fender Showman - From Arbiter the Most Wanted Guitar in Britain Today Telecaster by Fender

Fender Showman - From Arbiter the Most Wanted Guitar in Britain Today Telecaster by Fender (1966)
Mid 1960s UK advertisement for Fender guitars and amplifiers. In the early 1960s, Fender had been distributed in the UK by Jennings, but by the middle of the decade Arbiter had won the contract. Th...
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Fender Showman - Get Fenderized

Fender Showman - Get Fenderized (1967)
Heavily promoted advert / Competition for Fender in 1967, giving the opportunity to win a 'bandfull' of instruments. The first prize was a Fender Jaguar and Jazzmaster guitar, Jazz bass, Bassman an...
[more]

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Fender Showman amps for sale

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Vintage 1964 Blonde Fender Showman Guitar Tube Head AB763

Vintage 1964 Blonde Fender Showman Guitar Tube Head AB763

Spring, Texas, 773**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2150

Completely restored, recapped, new tube sockets, retubed matching pairs by Todd Sharp of Nashville Amplifier Service & Todd Sharp Amps. Very good condition, clean and performs beautifully. Punchy and powerful as expected from a proper example of this model. *No back panel. Prefer local sale
Shipping can be sketchy, and postage is a bit expensive due to the size and type of the box required plus insurance. Feel free to make your own shipping arrangements or pickup local, ??I??m happy to ... more
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1965 Fender Showman

1965 Fender Showman

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

$3995

1965 Fender Showman head and 1X15 speaker cab, Four 6L6tubes, Massive sounding rig with a great clean sound, The bass sounds robust! Amazing Fender vibrato, Super cool amp
A word about purchasing any of these rare Vintage amps, ??these amps need to be regularly cared for??. These are very old and may need to be or may have been serviced in thepast. We recommend that any of these amps upon purchase be serviced and thenregularly looked over by a skilled amp tech. Used amps are sold here on ... more
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1964 Fender Showman Amplifier Head Black Panel AB-763 Vintage 1960s

1964 Fender Showman Amplifier Head Black Panel AB-763 Vintage 1960's

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

$1225

This listing is for a Vintage 1964 Fender Showman Amp Head. This Fender Showman AB-763 was made in 1964. The amplifier is in good functional condition and has been recently serviced and sounds good. The transformers are original. The electrolytic caps have all been changed along with the power cable
The grill cloth is also not original and as you can see at one time the amplifier was modded to have an extra input, see the Showman logo. Whatever mod had been installed has been removed. ... more
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1964 Fender Showman Head Just Serviced

1964 Fender Showman Head Just Serviced

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 468**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1499

1964 Fender Showman Head Just Serviced... more
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1964 Fender Showman Head And Cabinet

1964 Fender Showman Head And Cabinet

Las Vegas, Nevada, 891**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

It may look a little rough but sounds awesome
Very rare find
The JBLD130f speakers are like new
If you want to ship this you can use uShip we have shipped all over the country check out my u tube demo of it

https: / / youtu be / w6x1cZcEoZo?feature=shared
... more
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Vintage Fender Showman Cabinet with dual D140-F JBL Speakers

Vintage Fender Showman Cabinet with dual D140-F JBL Speakers

Glendale, Arizona, 853**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$500

Notes: 1. Item is for sale locally and if sold locally, this listing will be terminated immediately 2. We are not experts in these vintage musical instruments - please make sure that these are right for your application before buying / bidding 3. LOCAL PICKUP ONLY
Fender Showman Single Cabinet converted to Dual with Signature JBL D140-F Lansing gray speakers serial #17514 / 17538. Black tolex with black grille cloth! Has guides on two sides!
Measurements: 36?? x 24?? x 11 1 / ... more
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Vintage Fender Dual Showman Reverb Amp TFL 5000D Serviced Tube Recapped Pedal

Vintage Fender Dual Showman Reverb Amp TFL 5000D Serviced Tube Recapped Pedal

Custer, South Dakota, 577**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

This vintage Fender Dual Showman Reverb Amp TFL 5000D is a classic piece of musical equipment that has been fully serviced and recapped. With its vacuum tube technology, it delivers warm and rich tones that are perfect for electric guitars. Made in the United States, this amp is a true gem for any musician The brand, Fender, is known for its high-quality musical instruments and gear, and this Dual Showman model is no exception. Whether you're a professional musician or just starting out, this ... more
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1961 Fender Showman Guitar amp 6G14 A

1961 Fender Showman Guitar amp 6G14 A

Lancaster, Ohio, 431**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4600

1961 Fender Showman amp 6G14 A
SN# 00521 with a production of 6 something putting it a mid-year 1961???
With the exception of a handful of replacement caps, the amp head is pretty much as original as they come
The 12" speaker cabinet with tone ring has a replacement JBL K120 from the mid '70s and is in excellent condition
The originality of the tilt back legs is a toss-up
At some point in time, someone either replaced, or added head unit hold down lugs to fit a narrower head. ... more
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1961 Fender Showman

1961 Fender Showman

Lake Stevens, Washington, 982**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

1961 fender showman. This is the head only. I don??t have a cab for it. It was minimally serviced a couple years ago. Sounds glorious





Tube chart is stamped KE which is May of 1961



Transformers and all other essential components are original. Just a few caps were changed


The yellowed areas are from knots in the wood under the tolex. You also see this kind of thing on the tweed amps. I think it??s one ... more
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1967 Fender Showman Black Panel Vintage Tube Amp Head AB763 Circuit, Serviced

1967 Fender Showman Black Panel Vintage Tube Amp Head AB763 Circuit, Serviced

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

$2000

Up for sale, a 1967 Fender Showman Black Panel vintage tube amp head in exceptional condition, recently retubed and 100% original save for a single capacitor. Loaded with a fresh quad of properly biased Sovtek 5881 (6L6GC) power tubes, this Showman has a sound that is powerful, clear, and sparkling. As Fender's flagship "piggyback" amp head of the Black Panel era, the Showman delivers 85 watts of all-tube power via the AB763 circuit. The Showman is a real powerhouse for guitar, bass, or your ... more
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1965 Fender Showman Black Panel Vintage Tube Amp Head AB763 Circuit, Serviced

1965 Fender Showman Black Panel Vintage Tube Amp Head AB763 Circuit, Serviced

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

$2000

Up for sale, a 1965 Fender Showman Black Panel vintage tube amp head, recently serviced and in excellent condition. Loaded with a fresh quad of properly biased Sovtek 5881 (6L6GC) power tubes, this Showman has a sound that is powerful, clear, and sparkling. As Fender's flagship "piggyback" amp head of the Black Panel era, the Showman delivers 85 watts of all-tube power via the AB763 circuit. The Showman is a real powerhouse for guitar, bass, or your favorite Fender Rhodes or combo organ. The low... more
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Original Vintage Fender Grill Cloth Silver Sparkle Blackface Showman Amp Head

Original Vintage Fender Grill Cloth Silver Sparkle Blackface Showman Amp Head

Mason, Tennessee, 380**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$150

Original Fender Grill cloth take off from a 1967 Blackface Showman amp head, Silver Sparkle used 1964-1967. Was originally on a Showman amp head, but has been off of a baffle board for 30 years and has probably shrunken somewhat. This would also fit a Bandmaster head from the same period as both of these amps share that same dimensions. I make no guarantees regarding fit. Current dimensions are listed below
You can see from the photos that the grill has natural discoloration from nicotine, ... more
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1965 Fender Showman Amp Head FEIC AB763 Vintage Guitar Amplifier

1965 Fender Showman Amp Head FEIC AB763 Vintage Guitar Amplifier

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

$1795

1965 Fender Showman Amp
This Amp Is Located At Imperial Vintage Guitars San Diego
In Very God Overall Condition (Please See All Photos)
Pre-CBS "Fender Electronic Instrument Company "
All Original Iron
Just Professionally Serviced
Added 3-Prong Grounded Power Cord
Available For Local Pick Up Only
... more
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1964 Fender Showman Blackface Tube Amp Head Model AB763 Vintage Clean! Works!

1964 Fender Showman Blackface Tube Amp Head Model AB763 Vintage Clean! Works!

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

$1755

1964 Fender Showman Amp
Model AB763
Electric Guitar / Bass Amplifier Head
Made in USA
I bought this used Showman head in the late 70??s from a music store in Hawaii; it was really clean and taken well care of. I was the second owner, played with it briefly and then added it to my collection. Apparently the previous owner removed the piggy-back mount hardware. I noticed the Tolex was so clean so I replaced all of the chrome hardware. Recently ( Sept 2024 ) I took it to my current amp... more
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Vintage Fender Dual Showman SR Empty Head Cabinet with Reverb Tank

Vintage Fender Dual Showman SR Empty Head Cabinet with Reverb Tank

Southbridge, Massachusetts, 015**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$299

Vintage Fender Dual Showman SR Empty Head Cabinet with Reverb Tank
Listing is for empty head cabinet and reverb tank onlyGood cosmetic conditionDoes not include mounting screws or the two top metal plate normally on each side of the headPlease see part numbers on the reverb tankPlease see images
2 Convenient Pickup Locations

Gordon LaSalle Music
339 Main St
Southbridge, MA 01550

Gordon LaSalle Music
993 Main St
East Hartford, CT 06108
... more
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Fender Silverface Vintage Dual Showman Reverb Head (non Master Volume) 1970??s

Fender Silverface Vintage Dual Showman Reverb Head (non Master Volume) 1970??s

Bradford-on-Avon, BA15***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1799

More sought after non master volume version , has had some caps changed as was serviced . I have the original bits that were changed in a bag
... more
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1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

1971 Selmer guitar catalogueScan of 1971 Selmer guitar catalogue showing the range of electric and acoustic guitars distributed by the company: guitars by Gibson, Yamaha, Selmer, Hofner and Suzuki. 1960s Selmer had always placed Hofner at the front end of their catalogues, no doubt these were the better sellers - but into the 1970s Hofner were slipping somewhat and only appear at the tail end of this publication, pride of place going to Gibson, and to a lesser extent Yamaha. In fact this is the last Selmer catalogue to include the many Hofner hollow bodies (Committee, President, Senator etc) that had defined the companies output for so many years - to be replaced in the 1972 catalogue by generic solid body 'copies' of Gibson and Fender models. A number of new Gibson models are included for the first time: the SG-100 and SG-200 six string guitars and the SB-300 and SB-400 basses.

1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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 bassRose-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 ZambesiThis 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 AceThe 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 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.