Fly Guitars updates
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1972 Gibson EB0L
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 A very unusual long scale 1972 Gibson EB0L practically all Gibson EB-0 bass guitars had a mahogany body with a translucent Cherry or Walnut finish. This bass has an alder body with natural finish, and somewhat different hardware, with more in common with an Gibson SB-450, rather than a typical seventies EB bass. Despite being built in 1972, this bass was most likely one of just 5 natural EB-0 basses shipped in 1973, according to the EB-O shipping stats.
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1978 Gibson G-3
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 The Gibson G-3 bass was first shown to the public at the 1975 NAMM show, and was an immediate success; it remained in production throughout the 70s, with small numbers being shipped in 1982 and 1985. The three in G-3 is, of course, a reference to the three pickups and associated circuitry designed by Gibson employee Bill Lawrence. The vast majority of G-3s shipped had a Natural or Ebony finish, although small numbers had a Candy Apple Red, White, Walnut, Wine Red or Tobacco Sunburst as shown here. For more, see the G-3 production totals.
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1974 Gibson L-9S Ripper
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 Although a few were completed in 1973, 1974 was the first year the Gibson Ripper bass was shipped in any numbers. It was one of the first new designs by Bill Lawrence who came to Gibson in the early 1970s. Early examples, like this, have a wider slab body, without the sculptured bevelling of later Rippers, but are essentially the same in other respects. The Ripper was in sharp contrast to the short scale 'muddy' mahogany basses that had dominated Gibsons output of the previous decade, and was immediately sucessful. Have a listen to the soundclips of this bass, through several vintage amplifiers.
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1961 Gibson EB3
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 A 1961 Gibson EB3 bass. 1961 was the first year of EB3 production, and the year Gibson first used the classic SG shape. Like the SG guitars, the EB3 was built at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo. Early EB3s are characterised by their chunky necks, wide-spaced controls, nickel hardware and bakelite neck pickup cover. Have a listen to the soundclips of this bass, through several vintage amplifiers.
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1966 Gibson EB0
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 Profile of a 1966 Gibson EB0 bass. The EB0, like it's big brother the EB3, is something of a 1960s classic; the construction (short scale, mahogany body, set mahogany neck), and the famous Gibson EB humbucker positioned at the neck, gave a deep rumble that perfectly suited the musical environment of the early-mid sixties. But by the early-mid seventies things were going long-scale and maple... Nonetheless, this is a finely built instrument, capable of some terrific sounds that really suit certain musical situations. Have a listen to the soundclips of this bass, through various vintage amplifiers.
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1972 Gibson EB3L
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 A closer look at a 1972 Gibson EB3L. In 1972, Gibson completely redesigned the EB series of basses, giving them maple necks, far more substantial bodies, and redesigned circuitry. This included moving the front pickup away from the neck, and towards the middle of the body. The result was a fine playing bass; less boomy than its's 1960s predecessor, and more durable too. Have a listen to the EB3L soundclips
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Older updates here
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Vintage Guitar Website updates
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1960 Selmer Guitars and Strings catalogue
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 The 1960 Selmer guitar catalogue featured a whole range of acoustic, electric semi-acoustic, and solid body guitars manufactured by Hofner. There were also a small number of Hofner-made (but Selmer branded) acoustic guitars, Futurama branded solid bodies, and a Futurama electric upright bass. From the very fine (and even shorter lived) Golden Hofner, to the budget Selmer 222 flat top. Monochrome, 32 pages
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1966 Goya Electric Guitars catalogue
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 Goya was well-known for it's acoustic guitars, produced by Levin in Sweden; but in the mid 1960s they added a number of Italian-built electric guitars and basses. Semi-acoustic models such as the 105, 107 and 109 Rangemaster guitars and Panther II bass were made by Polverini, whilst solid body models 116 and 118 were made by Galanti. These were well-built good quality instruments, but perhaps too expensive to sell in large numbers.
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1965 Vox Ace electric guitar
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 The Vox Ace was one of the early UK-designed Vox guitars produced by JMI in Dartford, Kent. It had been in production since at least 1962, but was redesigned for late 1963 with a more current look and a higher quality feel. The pickups were upgraded, as was the body; it was now thicker and made of solid wood. Despite this the guitar was now actually lighter in weight, due to a shorter overall length. Have a closer look at a sunburst-finished Vox Ace from 1965.
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1969 Fender Mustang bass, Competition Red finish
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 The Mustang bass debuted in 1966 as (along with the Coronado) Fender's first shortscale bass, however the Competition finishes were not seen until 1969. It was effectively the same instrument, with sports stripes, and initially a matching coloured headstock. The competition colours were Red, Orange and Blue (although blue was officially called Burgundy). Have a closer look at this 1969 Fender and check out the soundclips through various vintage amplifiers.
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VintageGuitar Blog, Sept 2013: A question of scale
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 Contrasting two very different bass guitars from the late 1960s. For the first decade of bass production Gibson had always produced shorter scale bass guitars, whilst Fender only produced long scale models. This post looks at one Gibson far better known as a shorty, the EB-3 (or EB-3L as longscale models were known), and the Fender's first (along with the Coronado) shortscale, the Mustang bass. Each bass has it's own strengths (and shortcomings), and both are desired today by collectors and musicians alike. Plus a look at my new restoration project, a 1961 Gibson SG Special.
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Older updates here
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