The Gibson Memphis ES330 VOS model is now discontinued, along with the Memphis plant, but is a great re-creation of a late 1950’s ES-330.
Built from 1971 to 1979, the Gibson Les Paul Recording model sported the features most desired by Les Paul himself, but unfortunately this did not translate into sales success. Still, even this low selling model was copied by Japanese builders during the ‘Lawsuit Era’. Constructed during the Norlin years with strong references to the original Les Paul Custom models, the Gibson Les Paul Recording model featured a Mahogany body with carved Mahogany top – unlike the Gold Top and Standard models, which had Maple caps on a Mahogany slab. At this point, Gibson was using what’s come to be called ‘Pancake’ bodies, with at least two narrower layers of Mahogany.
Next up is a lovely, almost all original Fender Precision Bass Maple neck built at the CBS/Fender Fullerton plant in 1975 – the pot codes date to 1974.
The Valley Arts Brent Mason Signature Custom Pro is based on Mason’s 1968 Fender Telecaster, modified over the years to meet the requirements of a top session player. Introduced in 2004, the Brent Mason model was built for only a few years, after Valley Arts had been purchased by Gibson with a small retail and construction space in Nashville. However, by 2006 that shop closed and in 2012 Mike McGuire, who had founded Valley Arts in 1975 and ultimately ran Gibson Custom, retired.
Here we have a Martin Style 2K Soprano Koa Ukulele built around 1923 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania; this model debuted in 1918 as the Style 2, with the 2K Koa option until 1933, and as the Style 2 until 1965. In 1923, nickel patent tuners took the place of the original wooden friction pegs, helping date this instrument; at this point Martin Ukuleles did not receive serial numbers. This Martin Style 2K Koa Soprano Ukulele is in good working order and sounds quite good, with a warm, sweet tone.
Built to compete with the Gibson L-7 and Epiphone Triumph, the Vega C56 Archtop was built from the 1930s until 1950. It was was Vega’s most popular full sized guitar and featured a solid Spruce top with Maple sides and back, Mahogany neck and Rosewood fingerboard. Here we have a Vega C56 archtop in the natural finish introduced in 1940. The serial number is somewhat below other models known to have been produced in 1940, so there’s a possibility this example was built in 1939. The top is solid Spruce, likely Adirondack.
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