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FENDER | BASS | JAZZ

Fender Jazz Bass Guitar

Solid body long scale electric bass

Fender Jazz Bass Guitar
Fender Jazz bass. Image taken from the 1970 Fender catalogue
Fender Jazz Bass Guitar
Fender Jazz bass. Image taken from the 1972 Fender catalogue

The Fender Jazz bass (or J-bass) is a classic instrument, as well known and played today as any other bass. It found favour with so many bass players, from legends like Noel Redding of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Jaco Pastorius (who now have signature models) to small time artists who just love that thin neck, and bright sound.

The Jazz bass was launched in 1960; a two-pickup companion to the Fender Precision.

In the late fifties, buyers were still wary of solid-bodied basses, being used to upright acoustic basses, and so string mutes were standard until 1962, giving a more 'upright bass' sound.

As the sixties wore on, this became less relevant, and the Jazz bass was accepted for what it was.

The bass went from strength to strength, and has been made ever since, with only minor changes in half a century of manufacture. Vintage Jazz basses change hands for very large sums; not only are they highly collectable, they are also desirable players instruments, particularly amongst jazz and funk musicians.

The following description is taken from the 1969 Fender Lovin' Care catalog

1969 Fender Lovin

Tops in sound at the bottom of the musical register.. Jazz bass by Fender. Included among its design features are two separate pickups, each having eight pole pieces to capture the full vibration of the string in the magnetic field giving full string tone responses and precluding fading or decay.

The tone and pickup mixing circuit employs a separate volume control for each pickup a single tone control operating both pickups. In this manner, any degree of bass and tremolo may be attained with further tone values increased or decreased by using individual volume controls.

The Jazz Bass "off-set" waist design contributes greatly to playing ease and comfort of the player. It places the arm in a natural position over the strings which facilitates playing technique. In addition, the portability and light weight of the Jazz Bass will be readily appreciated by every bassist. It afford ease of movements on stage and ease of storing. Individual bridges are adjustable for perfect string lengths and heights, and the truss-rod reinforced neck is adjustable to retain alignment. Extremely slender, the comfort feel of this neck is readily noticeable. Binding and inlaid position markers add beauty and make fretting easier.

Available in shaded Sunburst or in selected custom colors. Left-hand models available by special order

Vintage Fender Jazz bass advertising

Electric bass advertisements originally published from 1963 onwards. Click on the images for larger copies. Check out other vintage Fender advertisements

Fender Jazz - The most imitated guitar in the world

Fender Jazz - The most imitated guitar in the world (1963)
Early sixties Fender advert for three guitars and one bass - the Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Stratocaster and Jazz bass, highlighting the design and components that made these guitars: bridges, pickups, etc
[more]

Fender Jazz - Quality Means Confidence

Fender Jazz - Quality Means Confidence (1963)
Early sixties advert for the Fender Jazz bass and the Stratocaster guitar
[more]

Fender Jazz - The Most Imitated Guitars In The World

Fender Jazz - The Most Imitated Guitars In The World (1965)
Mid sixties Fender advert featuring the Fender Jazz bass, Fender Jaguar guitar, Fender Wildwood acoustic, and a new model, the Fender Bandmaster amplifier.
[more]

Fender Jazz - The Name that Makes the Difference

Fender Jazz - The Name that Makes the Difference (1966)
This mid sixties advert shows a Fender decal being applied to a Jazz bass. Despite the model depicted, this is really an advert for the Fender company rather than any individual model.
[more]

Fender Jazz - Full Color Sound

Fender Jazz - Full Color Sound (1967)
From Fender Musical Instruments, representing the complete musical spectrum with a selection of master-crafted guitars and amplifiers. See the complete line of Fender Musical Instruments at any aut...
[more]

Fender Jazz - Get Fenderized

Fender Jazz - 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]

Fender Jazz - Full Color Sound

Fender Jazz - Full Color Sound (1967)
Advert for the Fender display at the June 1967 NAMM show in Chicago, USA. It features a number of instruments 'representing the complete musical spectrum': a Jazz Bass, a Coronado II electric acous...
[more]

Fender Jazz - Fender. What more need we say

Fender Jazz - Fender. What more need we say (1971)
just that Fender guitars are played by stars the world over - from big-beat blues to folk music, c&w to acid rock. The greatest guitars in the world
UK Dallas Arbiter (Fender distributor) fe...
[more]


Fender Jazz bass catalog appearances

Naturally the Jazz bass, as a mainstay of the Fender line is included in all major catalogues from its launch, a selection of which are reproduced on this site. Click on the images below to see the Fender Jazz in each of these catalogues.

Fender Catalogues: 1960s


1964 1965 Fender Fine Electric Instruments catalog

1964 1965 Fender catalogue - The Jazz bass is on page 2

The Jazz Bass represents the standards by which others will be compared

1965 1966 Fender Fine Electric Instruments catalog

The 1965 1966 Fender catalogue - the Fender Jazz bass was included on page 3

1968 Fender guitar and amplifier catalog

1968 catalogue Fender Musical Instruments on the Go
The Jazz bass appears on pages 8-9

1969 Fender bass catalog

The basses are all on page 4 in this brochure

No matter what kind of music you're playing, the Jazz Bass really grooves

Fender Catalogues: 1970s


1970 Fender electric guitar and amplifier catalog

The Jazz bass appears on page 20

The "thin neck" bass with two pickups for full string tone

1972 Fender electric guitar and amplifier catalog

1972 Fender catalogue
The Jazz bass appears on page 19


Fender Jazz technical information

Fender have published regular list of replacement parts for their instruments, along with part numbers. Some of these parts lists are reproduced here

  • 1968 - photo, parts list, parts illustration, wiring diagram. 5 pages.
  • 1969 - just a simple list of parts. 2 pages.
  • 1976 - photos, parts list an prices. 3 pages.
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Fender Jazz bass for sale

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1965 Fender Jazz Bass

1965 Fender Jazz Bass

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

$14900

1965 Fender Jazz Bass, Sunburst finish, ??L?? Plate, Both covers, Sounds amazing, Stunning clean example of a sought after model, EC, Original hard case... more
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Vintage Fender Jazz Bass 1974

Vintage Fender Jazz Bass 1974

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

$4500

Vintage 1974 Fender Jazz Bass. Bass is all original except for Badass bridge.
This bass has been played for 50 years, not collected - and it looks, sounds and feels like it. Super responsive maple fretboard with no buzzes and good intonation.
Fender G&G hard case included - don't think it's the original Hard to let it go but need to pay for my mid-life crisis 6-string.... more
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Vintage 1984 Fender Jazz Bass

Vintage 1984 Fender Jazz Bass

Flossmoor, Illinois, 604**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

Vintage fender jazz bass. Excellent condition plays beautifully. Tones are smooth as can be and easy to play. You won??t be disappointed. See recent appraisal. Happy bidding any questions feel free
... more
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Classic 1983 Fender Jazz Bass 3-Bolt with Ash Body & Bound Maple Fretboard

Classic 1983 Fender Jazz Bass 3-Bolt with Ash Body & Bound Maple Fretboard

Pompano Beach, Florida, 330**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3983

1983 Fender Jazz Bass -Sienna Burst Finish
Made in the USA
Serial # S865079
Ash Body & Bound Neck!
Classic Medium U Shape Profile Neck
Radius: 7 25
Nut Width: 1 42
Weight: 12 lbs
Measures .80 at the first fret
and .91 at the 12th
Authentic Vintage Mojo, No Fake Aging!
Upgraded Vintage Dimarzio Pickups
Neck is Straight & Truss Rod Works Perfectly
2 Dimarzio Pots 1 CTS Pot
$$$ Professionally Set-Up and Dialed in for Optimal Tone & Playability. ... more
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Original 1976 Vintage Fender JAZZ BASS Natural Ash Electric Jazz Bass

Original 1976 Vintage Fender JAZZ BASS Natural Ash Electric Jazz Bass

Wichita, Kansas, 672**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

Good condition, all original
... more
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Vintage 1978 Fender Jazz Bass Natural w /  Original Hardshell Case

Vintage 1978 Fender Jazz Bass Natural w / Original Hardshell Case

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2699

Vintage original 1978 Fender Jazz Bass with a nice Natural refinish.
Bass plays and sounds amazing. Neck is straight and plays with a good low action without buzz or issue. Maple neck with mother of pearl block markers makes for a nice present and bright tone
Features a set of Seymour Duncan pickups with a classic vintage Jazz Bass tone.
A real nice vintage Jazz Bass that is perfect for the player. Plays incredibly well
Comes with original Fender Hardshell case, too ... more
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1978 Fender Jazz Bass USA w / TKL case

1978 Fender Jazz Bass USA w / TKL case

Portland, Oregon, 972**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2300

Glossy walnut (poly, of course) finish on this late ?70s 4-bolt electric bass. The knobs, neck plate, and pickups are more modern (00s-20s) replacements (pickups are Fender USA ?70s Jazz style appropriate for this instrument). Body, neck, tuning machines, I assume, and pick guard are all original.
As shown the bass was routed on rear for 9V battery compartment at one time. body has one large spot of finish loss plus several minor chip spots also around the bottom edge
Neck is good and ... more
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1973 Fender Jazz Bass Olympic White Refin

1973 Fender Jazz Bass Olympic White Refin

Farmingdale, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3299

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Questions? We can help!
Contact us today!
30-Day Money Back
Guarantee
... more
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Vintage 1964 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Refin w /  HSC

Vintage 1964 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Refin w / HSC

Towson, Maryland, 212**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6600

1964 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Refin w / HSC
Here we have an unbelievably cool 1964 Fender Jazz Bass. This bass would be considered to be a "players grade" bass due to a few mods that were done but also because it is a MONSTER player in all of the best ways. The original body on this bass was refinished many years ago and although it is more of a 2 tone burst, the finish looks good. It is nice and glossy and appears to have been done professionally. It shows its age for sure but overall its ... more
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Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Sunburst w /  Case. Rosewood Fret

Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Sunburst w / Case. Rosewood Fret

Tucson, Arizona, 857**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5999

Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Sunburst w / Case. Rosewood Fret. Condition is Used. Local pickup only.... more
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1974 Fender Jazz Bass Natural w / HSC

1974 Fender Jazz Bass Natural w / HSC

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

$4995

1974 Fender Jazz Bass
This Bass Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Shows Cosmetic Playwear Including Various Marks, Dings, And Scratches
Some Finish Checking Throughout
Lightweight Alder Body With Natural Polyurethane Finish
Maple Neck With Bound Maple Fingerboard And Block Inlays
Original Frets Are Low But Playable
Pickups And Electronics Mostly Original With One Pot Replaced, Original Included
34" Scale ... more
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1975 Fender Jazz Bass LEFTY Left-Handed Sunburst | 100% Original Vintage!

1975 Fender Jazz Bass LEFTY Left-Handed Sunburst | 100% Original Vintage!

Lee's Summit, Missouri, 640**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4750

c. 1975 Fender Jazz Bass LEFTY Left-Handed Sunburst, 100% Original Vintage!
This one recently came in from the original owner. Beautiful very clean c. 1975 Fender Jazz Bass in Sunburst. Left-Handed vintage are few and far between. Very nice and all original bass. The original case is included along with some picks including from Sam Ash which is where the bass was purchased new. The pots date to late 1975 so technically the bass probably shipped in 1976. The case is original to the ... more
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1976 Fender Jazz Bass Bound Maple Neck Workhorse PlayerGrade Studio Legend, OHSC

1976 Fender Jazz Bass Bound Maple Neck Workhorse PlayerGrade Studio Legend, OHSC

Woodbury, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3200

1976 Fender Jazz Bass, Bound Maple Neck, Workhorse Player-Grade Studio Legend w / Original Hardshell Case
For sale is a seasoned 1976 Fender Jazz Bass, a workhorse that's been on a few adventures and is back, ready for more. This bass has the character and battle scars of a well-loved instrument, and it's all set for studio sessions or to bring some unique vibe to the stage
This model features Fender??s innovative 3-bolt neck with a micro-tilt adjustment, introduced in the mid-70s. This ... more
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1978 Fender Jazz Bass Parts Original Owner- Bridge, Pickguard  & more FREE SHIP

1978 Fender Jazz Bass Parts Original Owner- Bridge, Pickguard & more FREE SHIP

Spring Branch, Texas, 780**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$480

I bought a new American Fender Jazz bass in 1978 or 1979. I removed the pick guard and the bridge cover (ashtray) as soon as I got it home. The manual with serial number was removed along with the genuine Fender guitar strap. I carefully packed them away along with another genuine Fender guitar strap that I had saved from a Fender Telecaster bass that I bought new around 1970 if memory serves might have been another one in that time frame. The straps appear to be identical except the rivets on ... more
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1962 Fender Jazz Bass Black / Reverb. In Excellent Condition.

1962 Fender Jazz Bass Black / Reverb. In Excellent Condition.

Oroville, California, 959**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10000

Fender Jazz Bass-Electric Bass guitar, 1962
Made in Mexico. Well kept guitar. It??s black and has the Reverb feature. A real Classic piece
... more
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1964 Fender Jazz Bass Pre-CBS Vintage Bass Olympic White w /  Gold Hardware, Case

1964 Fender Jazz Bass Pre-CBS Vintage Bass Olympic White w / Gold Hardware, Case

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

$21000

Up for sale, a 1964 Fender Jazz Bass in perfect working order, featuring factory-installed gold hardware and the original custom color Olympic White nitro lacquer finish. While Pre-CBS era Fender Jazz Basses in custom colors enjoy a certain reverence for their relative rarity, the all-original gold hardware certainly elevates this example above the pack
With extremely heavy playwear and a super jumbo refret, this Jazz Bass looks mean yet has a vitality and breadth of tones well-suited to ... more
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1962 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Pre-CBS

1962 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Pre-CBS

Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$20000

... more
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1971 FENDER JAZZ  BASS BRIDGE USA Original Vintage

1971 FENDER JAZZ BASS BRIDGE USA Original Vintage

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

$425

1971 FENDER JAZZ BASS BRIDGE USA Original Vintage
Very Good + Condition. With original mounting screws
There's a slight bend near the head of the E String intonation screw that doesn't effect use
Shipped Fully Insured!... more
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1968 Fender Jazz Bass (All Original) With OHSC

1968 Fender Jazz Bass (All Original) With OHSC

Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 864**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9500

1968 Fender Jazz Bass (All Original) With OHSC

Totally original and ready to roll! A true closet classic. Original paint, original covers, pickups, case, etc!

This bass is being sold as-is due to the nature of its age
... more
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1978 Fender Jazz Bass:   " Mint" Condition (Collector-Grade @ 95%

1978 Fender Jazz Bass:   " Mint" Condition (Collector-Grade @ 95%

South Plainfield, New Jersey, 070**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5500


I bought this Bass brand new after spending an entire summer hustling all over Queens, New York on my Bicycle selling nickel bags and loose joints. I bought it from Mannys Music in New York City and I bought it brand spanking new. When I realized there was more money in selling car parts that??s how I really got the cash. But all good things must come to an end and before I knew it, I was in youth authority. LoL 2 years later I got out but while I was in my mother put my bass guitar at ... more
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Find more Fender Jazz bass for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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Anthony Long Comment left 12th January 2016 13:01:23 reply
I have a 1969 Fender Jazz Bass American made, It is in very good shape except for belt buckle usage My Dad bought in 1969 after he got home from Vietnam I also have the fender bassman amp and the cab with two 15's, He has traveled all over the world with the gear on a USO tour in 1977, just figured that I would share the story with you, Could you tell me the approximate price range for bass and amp? I also have a 1984 strat and a tele B-bender both in excellent shape.

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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

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1971 Epiphone 1820 bass (ET-280)

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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

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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.