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. 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. 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. Fender Musicmaster, 1956-1964ġ958 Fender Musicmaster Image Heritage auctions The Musicmaster was clearly a success, remaining in continuous production until 1982. As Fender put it in the 1976 catalog "Begin with a Musicmaster, and graduate to stardom!". This fact was demonstrated on the cover of the 1958 'Down Beat' brochure - an adult plays a Fender Stratocaster, whilst a child looks on, Fender Musicmaster in hand. But in truth, most experienced guitarists wanting to play widely spaced chords or the extra speed afforded by closer frets would chose the dual pickup Duo-Sonic - assuming price was not an issue!įender always believed that if beginner guitarists chose Fender, they would more likely continue playing Fender guitars as they got older. The 1950s Fender Musicmaster was described as three quarter size, but the difference in size was not so great: Fender also suggested these models for more established players with smaller hands. Although these 'student' guitars were shorter scale than the Fender standard (22 1/2" vs 25"), they were not 'student' in terms of build quality - in fact very much in line with the Fender professional models such as the Telecaster and Stratocaster. It was joined shortly afterwards by a dual pickup companion model, the Duo-Sonic. Both are pictured here.The three-quarter size Fender Musicmaster debuted in 1956, as a new student model in the Fender solid body range. As I also play bass I bought a loaded Geddy Lee J bass body and had an identical fretless neck made for the j bass. Hipshot locking tuners, Wilkinson trem/bridge. I had Warmoth make a wenge Gibson conversion neck with small stainless steel frets, a bound Purple Heart fretboard and I put all black murder hardware on it. I have a volume boost push/pull and a treble bleed push/pull, I’m adding a main treble push/push. I had a custom Fralin loaded pick guard put in with high output neck and mid pups and one of Lindys split single coil P90 pups in the bridge. As well as a 4 string electric mandola.Īll that said I love it, I use it often but going to be very honest here, I built this guitar recently:Īn American 50’s Vintage Fender Body. ![]() I have zero issues with the 3/4 scale size as I also have an electric 5 string fender mandolin. I have the original bridge on it but since I doubt I’m gonna resell it and if I do I’ll put the original back on on my going to get one of the newer Tele style brass barrel bridge. Which gives it a killer tension and tonal quality. It has not even slinky strings on it 12-60. They are Alnico 2 magnets neck pup reads at 6.3k ohms and the bridge 12.2k ohms. This thing screams dude it’s like a black stallion unbroken and not a gilding. ![]() So I have to say I’m so glad I bought this one that was a conversion to a duo sonic and was required and had hand wound pups put in.
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