From 1961. This is the 2 pick-up version of Vox’s starter guitar – the single pick-up Stroller which retailed at 9 gns (£9.45) – but the extra electrics cost another 3 gns making the retail price of this piece of UK guitar history a massive 12 gns (£12.60).
Grimshaw Short Scale Bass Deluxe
Handbuilt c.1966 by Emile Grimshaw Jr. in London and now restored by Kif and custom pick-ups by Aaron (Kent) Armstrong. The six string versions were popular with English rockers such as Joe Brown, Alvin Lee, Bruce Welch and Pete Townshend.
This bass also stars in the second Bass Wars video! David Greenaway plays Guy’s Baldwin Vibraslim and Grimshaw Short Scale – watch the video to see his verdict:
Burns Weill Super Streamline Bass
A bass to match the Super Streamline guitar (sometimes known as the Martian Cricket Bat) dating from 1959, this example was the actual bass used by John Godfrey in the Mungo Jerry band (see archive) and pictured in the “Burns Book”.
This classic bass features in the following videos at The Guitar Collection YouTube Channel:
Jim Burns interview in 1994 on YouTube & Henry Weill interview in 1977 on YouTube
Plus: Watch David Greenaway play the Burns Weill Super Streamline Bass!
See how the Burns Weill Super Streamline compares to the Dallas Tuxedo:
Hagstrom Futurama Coronado Automatic
From 1963. A very collectable example of these high quality guitars being one of only about 200 built specially by Hagstrom to the requirements of Ben Davis – owner of the Selmer company in London. It retailed with case at 77 gns (over £80).
Hofner Pro-Sound Graphic S-5E
Styled after the Gibson L6S and built in 1982, featuring a built-in graphic equaliser and Hofner’s version of the Bigsby palm pedal bridge, this is certainly a rare guitar, but also considered by some to be one of the best playing Hofners ever.
Shergold PD Custom
Based on the “piecrust” model built c.1968 for U.K. importers, Barnes & Mullins and customised by Jack Golder with Baldwin bridge, Burns fingerboard and Van Gent tuners, this guitar was presented to Paul Day in November 1986.
Jack Goulder interview in 1977 on YouTube
Marlin Masterclass MMC-11
Built in Korea in 1988 and UK imported by British Music Strings. This is the upmarket original design guitar with Axcite rechargeable active circuit and is the actual guitar pictured in the Ultimate Guitar Book written by Tony Bacon and Paul Day.
John Bailey JBSG-2
This guitar, hand made by Dartmouth, Devon based John Bailey in 1968 for a customer in Kent, has an ebony fingerboard, hand made pickups and tailpiece. The body has been carved to facilitate ‘finger style’ playing – an innovation of its builder.
Segovia SE-707
From 1985. Very rare and built in the style of the Roland G707 guitar synthesiser. A totally stunning guitar and how could I refuse the opportunity to have it in my collection.
APX Falcon
From 1985. A ‘one off’ design made in the UK by Alan Page and Alan Exley of Redditch with an aluminium body and hand made pick-ups. A work of guitar art and should be in a gallery – thankfully in mine!