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. 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 Gianniniīy 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). 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. 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. Scan 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. Click on the images for full size versions, or click on the model names below for more about each instrument Electric Guitars: Johnny Smith Guitar The entire ranges of electric guitars, basses, acoustics, banjos, mandolins and amplifiers are shown: fourteen pages of electric guitars and basses eight pages of Gibson amplifiers twelve pages of Gibson acoustic guitars (flat tops, classic acoustic and archtops) three pages of banjos two pages of mandolins, and a single page of steel guitars. They provide the musical perfection that has become Gibson tradition through more than 60 years of dedication to creating the worlds finest fretted instruments. Gibson instruments are true to their heritage, each one crafted like a fine violin. These are the stirring notes of nature's symphony, reflected today in the most sensitive of musical instruments, the Gibson guitar. The lyric song of birds, the wind whistling softly through the trees, the music of a rippling brook, the rumbling bass of a thunderstorm! The electric guitar section is adorned with birds, the amplifier section fish, and the acoustic guitars plants. There is a theme of the natural world running through this catalog, from the trees on the front and back covers, via the photographs of guitars in and amongst nature, and to the illustrations of plants and animals throughout the catalog as a whole. There was a huge rise in the popularity of guitar playing, and cheaper imported brands were not yet been able to compete on grounds of quality. 1965 had been their very best year, with massive sales and a huge expansion of their Kalamazoo facilities. But this was a very sucessful time for Gibson. It had been the first to be in full colour, and contained Gibson's entire product range, from high-end jazz guitars, solid bodies (including the newly designed non-reverse body style Firebird range), amplifiers, and Gibson's wide range of acoustic instruments. The 1966 Gibson catalog was the most lavish produced to date, and for many years afterwards. 1966 Gibson 'Guitars & Amplifiers' Catalog
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |