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. Two new models make their first catalogue appearance this year, the Fender Electric XII and the Fender 5-string bass, both introduced earlier in 1965.Ĭlick on the images for full size versions, or click on the model names below for the relevant page for each instrument Electric Guitars:īy 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). 1965 was a good year for US guitar sales this issue sold well, and is quite often available on ebay - because this brochure was part of the magazine, and not an insert, it is usually present. Like the 1964-65 brochure also reproduced on this site, it was included free (actually pages 29-40) inside the 1965 Annual guitar issue of music magazine Down Beat (July 1st, 1965 Jim Hall cover).
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