The ShadowMusic Web Community

here'a real trip,down memory lane....

http://www.guitarrepairsuk.com/bells_catalogue.htm

That's bought back some memories. Forgot I had some of those but not from Bell
Hofner Artist bass
Watkins copicat
Rosetti Bass in Green
Selmer Treble n Bass 50 with a Goliath cabinet

Paul

Thanks for posting this - it must be 40 odd or (even 50 odd!) years since I've seen a Hofner Galaxie or even a picture of one.

Best wishes

Tony

Thanks Tony....wish the prices were still the same......

There are several Bell Musical Instruments catalogues scanned in (and mainly in very good restored and cleaned up state) in my Bell Musical Instruments group on Facebook.

Facebook is very good for the high volume storage requirements of images and also excellent at allowing commentary and discussion.

JN

From the catalogue I started off with a Consetta Spanish bought by my older brother but soon passed on to me, followed by a Big Timer Jumbo (a real finger tip shredder! ) and finally a Futurama III De Luxe which was bought on HP from Minns Music in Bournemouth. My first proper amp was a 30w Grampian Vibromajor but can't recall where I got it. It had a tremolo effect which really nailed Blue Turns to Grey!

I remember the Bells catalog very well although a much earlier version than this one with the original Futurama guitar which I ogled although I ended up with a Watkins Rapier- neither guitar had pups which were any good, although I suspect the Watkins effort was better built. I suspect the Hofner guitars were much better although mostly way out of fashion. I was at the nearby Kingston Art school same time as the other guy who used to look through Bells window and probably for as short a time... Round the corner from Bells was Mayhew & Green who used to sell second hand old Rovers one of which I eventually purchased.