Built by Alamo Electronics (part of Southern Music) in San Antonio, Texas in 1964/5, this thin hollow body guitar retailed then for $79.95. A single pick-up example is owned by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.
Harmony Silhouette H14
Built in Chicago in 1965 and featuring a DeArmond pick-up made by Rowe Industries dated 15th Feb 1965. A great piece of American R ‘n’ R history which originally retailed at $64.95.
Freshman 5800
Built in Japan c.1964, this little guitar carries the “in-house” brand name of importers / distributors Selmer and retailed then for £15. Note its 2 tone scratchplate, woodgrain Freshman pick-ups with half surrounds and rhythm / solo switch.
Miami FT2
An entry level guitar from the 1970s, built in Japan and marketed under various brand names including Jedson and Sakai. With Telecaster styling and reinforced neck, this guitar offered real value in its day.
Broadway Plectric 1921
Built by Guyatone in Japan in about 1961, Broadway was the “in-house” brand name of importers / distributors Rose Morris. This single pick-up model was marketed by Bells of Surbiton at 16½ gns (£17.32). Now a piece of British R ‘n’ R history.
Egmond Solid 7
Built in Holland c.1963 and, despite its name, it’s a thin hollow body with floating assembly incorporating pick-ups and controls. Branded in the UK as a Rosetti, an earlier Solid 7 was Paul McCartney’s first electric guitar.
Simons ES 121
Hand-built by Cornish luthier Ed Simons with deep cherry sunburst body, skunk striped maple neck and custom hardware – this Tele style guitar carries the Serial No: 00001 and is signed by its maker. Definitely a collector’s guitar and one for my collection.
Heit Deluxe
Made in Japan in the Teisco factory between 1967 and 1970, this highly individual guitar was marketed in the States by a currently unknown New York distributor. Very rare today, especially in the UK, but one is currently used by “Queens of the Stone Age”.
Audition
Made in Japan in the mid to late 1960s this Audition budget guitar, with Burns influenced body style, was a starter guitar in the UK sold by that well known supplier of musical instruments, F W Woolworth and Co. Also marketed by Rose Morris as a “Top Twenty”.
Watkins Rapier 33
Dating from about 1963 and Reg Watkins designed, this is the 3 “toaster” pick-up version of the classic British made Watkins Brothers guitars that launched the careers of many UK musicians. Later models were marketed as Wem and Wilson.
Check out the Watkins Rapier being played: As seen on BBC TV’s Antiques Roadshow
Plus see the Watkins Rapier Deluxe played by Phil Walker at The Guitar Collection YouTube Channel: