Japan Guitar
Posted on Friday, June 10th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
A Brief History of the Fender Guitar Company
Besides the Gibson Les Paul Guitar, there is probably no more renowned Electric Guitar than the Fender. The Fender Stratocaster and Fender Telecaster electrics are the company’s two most famous models and played by “rock gods” the world over (the Telecaster is especially favored by modern Country and Blues musicians, too), although Fender also makes steel string and classical guitars as well as bass guitars.
The Fender company also produces top of the line amplifiers.
Guitar players and makers began experimenting with amplification in the 1920s because the acoustic guitar’s sound in a jazz band was being totally swamped by the rest of the band. Eventually, in the 1940s, Leo Fender, an electronics expert and inventor from California, created the first instrument amplifiers to have built-in tone controls. However, Fender also understood that in order to fit in with modern music the guitar itself was going to need to be given a vastly greater range of tonal colors and sheer power. In 1951, Fender may have saved the guitar from oblivion in widely listened to music when he introduced his Fender Broadcaster, which was the forerunner to the Telecaster. In that same year Fender produced the electric Precision bass guitar.
In 1954, Fender emerged with what would become the most renowned rock ‘n’ roll guitar in history: the Stratocaster.
Unfortunately, in 1965 Leo Fender was in failing health and sold his company to the CBS corporation. Although CBS was able to put its giant marketing and advertising budget behind the Fender line of amps and guitars to make them the premier modern guitar music equipment, CBS also failed to actually comprehend music and musicians, and by 1973 the quality of the newly produced legendary Stratocasters was definitely sinking. Today’s Fender “Strat” collectors and players covet pre-1973 Strats, and even more they prize “pre-CBS” models.
With the Strat known for its exquisite tone, range of colors, and great action, in 1977 CBS added the five-way pickup selector switch to the Strat, giving the possible combination of pickup-use and the resulting tonal coloration even more variety, in hopes of keeping the Strat commercially competitive.
By the early 1980s, CBS/Fender began producing the “Squire” Strat, which is a deliberately second-rate and much less expensive version of the Stratocaster. The Squire was made in response to pricing competition from Japanese guitar makers.
In 1981, CBS took steps to try to re-invent Fender. William Schultz was selected as the new President of Fender and he and his assistants had a five-year business designed to focus heavily on R&D and advertising to take Fender back to the heights of the guitar world. However, by 1985 CBS was getting out of all non-broadcast media industries and with the help of some investors Schultz bought Fender from the giant corporation.
Having nothing but the patent and old Fender guitars in stock, eventually Bill Schultz built two new Fender manufacturing plants in Corona, California and Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The idea was to keep all manufacturing close to home to control quality and keep shipping costs down to make Fender more affordable. No more would Fenders be made by cheap labor in Japan.
Fender went on to acquire legendary Sunn amplification and its Lake Oswego, Oregon manufacturing plants in 1987, and in 1991 the company moved its headquarters from Corona to Scottsdale, Arizona. In 1995 Fender bought out the renowned Guild Guitar company and acquired its massive manufacturing plant in Westerly, Rhode Island.
Today Fender is back on top in the world of electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitars, and amplifiers. The company has facilities in California, Arizona, Tennessee, New York, Rhode Island, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico; London, England; Dusseldorf, Germany; Suresnes, France; Brussels, Japan, Korea, and China.
About the Author
There are a number of places to shop online for Musical Instruments. Instrument Junction specializes in Acoustic Guitars, Acoustic Electric Guitars and Amplifiers.
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Free Ship to Japan + U K – 1957 Gibson es 175 archtop jazz guitar ALL ORIGINAL $9,400.00 |
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ESP Japan Custom Shop Horizon 3 Guitar for GWAR Cory Smoot Flattus Maximus. New! $5,995.00 |
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ESP George Lynch Sunburst Tiger Guitar – NEW with C.O.A. (Made In Japan) $3,399.99 |
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Used D’Angelico New Yorker NYL-4 Jazz Guitar Dangelico Made in Japan Archtop $3,149.99 |
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H.T. Hirose Concert Guitar 640 mm Hauser Style Classical Japan Kohno Quality $2,800.00 |
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NEW Ibanez Jem7V Electric Guitar – Steve Vai Model – Made in Japan $2,799.00 |
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Fender Japan Jaguar JG/HO Electric Guitar [HOLLOW BODY] $2,790.00 |
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Ibanez GB20 Vintage MIJ Japan Guitar **MINT CONDITION** $2,464.25 |
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Fender Japan Signature Stratocaster Guitar ST-YJM $2,200.00 |
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Bacchus T-Hollow Electric guitar Brand New / Japan Made $2,171.00 |
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Archtop Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Exrubato Custom / top of the line / Japan $2,100.00 |
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Archtop Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Exrubato Custom / top of the line / Japan $2,100.00 |
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Archtop Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Exrubato Custom / top of the line / Japan $2,100.00 |
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ESP Horizon-FR VR Electric Guitar in Volcano Red w/ case Made in Japan Brand New $2,069.00 |
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ESP Viper Custom Shop Japan | Sick Flame | Pristine | ESP Guitars $2,000.00 |
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X Japan Signed Guitar x 5 Yoshiki Toshi Pata PSA LOA $2,000.00 |
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VOX VGSCSB Virage Single Cut Electric Guitar w/Case Made in Japan-New Low Price $1,999.99 |
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Used 2010 Gibson Custom Shop B 25 Washed Cherry Acoustic Guitar For Japan ONLY $1,999.99 |
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ESP Horizon FR-II BLKAQ Electric Guitar in Black Aqua. Made in Japan Brand New! $1,999.00 |
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ESP Horizon FR-II RDB Electric Guitar in Reindeer Blue. Made in Japan Brand New! $1,999.00 |
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Epiphone Elitist Dwight Trash Electric Guitar Lists $3665.00 New Made in Japan $1,981.00 |
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YAMAHA SA-50 VINTAGE ELECTRIC GUITAR Made In JAPAN 1966 $1,900.00 |
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ESP Eclipse-II VR Electric Guitar in Volcano Red w/case Made in Japan. Brand New $1,799.00 |
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ESP Eclipse-II MYBLK Electric Guitar in Mystic Black w/case Made in Japan New! $1,799.00 |
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Taiko Guitars Hand Made in Japan JST-66 Lacpuer White $1,770.00 |
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ESP Horizon FR-II DBSB Electric Guitar in Dark Brown Sunburst w/ Duncan. Japan $1,769.00 |
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ESP Eclipse-II Duncan SSP Electric Guitar in Silver Sparkle w/case Made in Japan $1,749.00 |
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ESP Eclipse-II BLKAQ Electric Guitar in Black Aqua w/case Madein Japan Brand New $1,749.00 |
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ESP Eclipse-II RDB Electric Guitar in Reindeer Blue w/case Made in Japan New! $1,749.00 |
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FERNANDES MG-145S Electric guitar / Japan artist model $1,748.00 |
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ESP Eclipse-II SSB Electric Guitar in Silver Sunburst w/case Made in Japan New! $1,729.00 |
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Archtop Jazz Guitar Seventy Seven Exrubato Hollow Handmade in Japan $1,725.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Exrubato Hollow handmade in Japan $1,725.00 |
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Gretsch G6118T /75 Ann. Electric Guitar/ Brand New Lists $2650.00 / Japan $1,691.00 |
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Taiko Guitars JST66 Hand made in Japan Lacpuer $1,680.00 |
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ESP Horizon NT-II RDB Electric Guitar in Reindeer Blue. Made in Japan Brand New! $1,659.00 |
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Jazz Guitar Seventy Seven Albatross Jazz Sinle Cut Japan $1,650.00 |
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Archtop Jazz Guitar Seventy Seven Stork Jazz model handmade in Japan $1,650.00 |
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Kurt Rosenwinkel type Jazz Guitar sound Seventy Seven Albatross Jazz Japan $1,650.00 |
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YAMAHA AE11 Cherry 60s-70s item Japan Vintage Full Acoustic guitar 315884805 $1,649.99 |
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Jackson Dominion Guitar RIVER BED Made in Japan $1,599.99 |
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Jackson SL3MG Soloist Guitar Japan Made Green Swirl with EMG pickups New w case $1,599.00 |
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BOSSA 4 STRING BASS GUITAR QUILTED MAPLE MADE IN JAPAN $1,590.00 |
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BOSSA 5 STRING BASS GUITAR MAPLE JAPAN $1,590.00 |
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Jazz Guitar Seventy Seven Robin handmade in Japan Semi hollow $1,500.00 |
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Mitsuru Tamura Japan 1974 800 Classical Guitar with Case $1,500.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Stork Standard Lemon Drop handmade in Japan $1,500.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Stork Standard Gold Top handmade in Japan $1,500.00 |
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Jazz Guitar Seventy Seven Robin handmade in Japan Semi hollow $1,500.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Stork Standard Gold Top handmade in Japan $1,500.00 |
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Jazz Guitar Seventy Seven Albatross Custom Black W/ P90 hand made in Japan $1,500.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Stork Standard Lemon Drop handmade in Japan $1,500.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Albatross Standard 2 handmaded in Japan $1,500.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Stork Standard Hollow / Cherry Red/ handmade in Japan $1,500.00 |
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Fender Special Edition Jaguar Thinline Black Jag Electric Guitar Made In Japan $1,499.99 |
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CHET ATKINS JAPAN OBI 1966 LET’S PLAY GUITAR WITH $1,499.99 |
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Vintage Fender Flame Electric Guitar Black American Made In Japan Hard Case $1,499.99 |
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VINTAGE 1978 ARIA PRO II SB-1000 BASS GUITAR MIJ MADE IN JAPAN! $1,499.00 |
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Dean Soltero SL – Electric Guitar with Case (Japan), RARE/NEW! $1,495.00 |
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FERNANDES BT-120MM Electric guitar / Japan artist model $1,488.00 |
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TOKAI GUITAR LG124Q-STVF VIOLIN FINISH MADE IN JAPAN $1,479.00 |
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Takamine TF250SMC Acoustic Electric Guitar w/Cool Tube & Tri-ax Pickup Japan MIJ $1,449.99 |
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FERNANDES TE-115HT Electric guitar / Japan artist model $1,436.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Albatross Standard handmaded in Japan $1,400.00 |
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Jazz guitar Seventy Seven Albatross Standard handmade in Japan $1,400.00 |
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ESP M-I Standard NTB Electric Guitar, Black Satin Brand NEW! Made in Japan M-1 $1,399.00 |
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Fender Japan ‘77 Reissue Mustang Guitar MG77 ASH Body $1,320.00 |
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Yamaha AES1500B Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar in Orange, Japan – New Lower Price $1,299.99 |
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EPIPHONE Sheraton Matsumoku Japan Antique Sunburst Rare Hollowbody MIJ Guitar $1,250.00 |
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ESP HORIZON ELECTRIC GUITAR, MADE IN JAPAN $1,250.00 |
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Fender Japan ‘73 Reissue Mustang guitar MG73 CO $1,238.00 |
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Fender Japan Left Handed ‘69 Mustang guitar MG69/LH $1,207.00 |
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Fender Japan Left Handed ‘69 Mustang guitar MG69/LH $1,207.00 |
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ESP Phoenix II Firebird Electric Guitar made in Japan MIJ $1,200.00 |
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Takamine Japan ETN40C Natural Nex Solid Cedar Acoustic Auditorium Size Guitar $1,199.00 |
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NEW Takamine PRO EF341SC Acoustic Electric Guitar – Made in Japan $1,199.00 |
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EDWARDS E-LP-98LTS LMD electric guitar / Japan made $1,196.00 |
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AC/DC JAPAN ONLY 18 Digipak CD+PROMO Guitar Box Set+2 x T-Shirt Highway to Hell $1,180.00 |
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Ibanez S5470 Japan Prestige Electric Guitar Trans Black *Mint* with Tags $1,149.00 |
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EDWARDS E-LP-92SD/LH VHB electric guitar / Japan made $1,124.00 |
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EDWARDS E-LP-92SD VHB Made in Japan Brand new guitar $1,124.00 |
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ESP EDWARDS E-LP-92SD/QM Made in Japan Guitar Brand new $1,124.00 |
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TOKAI LOVE ROCK ELECTRIC GUITAR LS75Q 2001 MADE IN JAPAN AND HARD CASE $1,104.63 |
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Tokai Japan TST50 ST-Style Electric Guitar Sonic Blue $1,104.63 |
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Ibanez 540S 7 string Electric Guitar RARE ‘91 model Japan Dimarzio $1,099.00 |
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Fender Japan ‘69 Reissue Mustang guitar MG69 $1,087.00 |
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Magnum Pro electric guitar 6 string solid body vintage Japan Ibanez RARE70’s art $1,000.00 |
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Fender Kurt Cobain Mustang SONIC Blue Guitar made in Japan $999.99 |
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Jackson DK2S IR Dinky Guitar W/SUSTAINIAC Pickup With Case Red made in Japan $999.99 |
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Charvel Wild Card #5 San Dimas Pro Mod Limited Electric Guitar Made in Japan $999.99 |
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Takamine EF381SC 12 string acoustic-Electric guitar Black Japan $1789 list $999.99 |
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Circa 1965 Univox Custom hollow body electic guitar vintage MIJ Japan FLAMETOP $999.00 |
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New Takamine ESN10C Acoustic-Electric Guitar Made in Japan $999.00 |
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Rare!!! Greco EJR 600 Yellow /1987 model Japan Vintage guitar 316471206 $949.99 |
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Charvel Socal Style 1 2H CANDY BLUE Guitar w/ Hard-Shell made in Japan $899.99 |
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Charvel Socal Style 1 2H Black Guitar w/ Hard-Shell made in Japan $899.99 |
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Jackson RR3 Rhoads Guitar Black With Jackson hard shell Case Made in Japan $899.99 |
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Charvel Socal Style 1 2H Candy Red Guitar w/ Hard-Shell made in Japan $899.99 |
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Charvel Wild Card #8 Hot Rod Flame Electric Guitar New w/ Hard Shell Case Japan $899.99 |
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Charvel San Dimas Style 1 2H in Ferrari Red Japan Electric Guitar With Case $899.99 |
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Domo-Kun Rock Superstar – Button Magnet $5.99 Officially licensesd Memo Magnet. Magnet Measures approximately 2.5″ x 3.5″… |
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Geisha Playing Shamisen Photo Mugs A young geisha practises on her shamisen. …. |
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Japan – The Samisen Photo Mugs A Japanese musician plays the SAMISEN, a stringed instrument like a guitar, plucked with the fingers or a plectrum. …. |
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El Camino $8.15 BLACK KEYS THE EL CAMINO… |
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Mylo Xyloto $7.16 COLDPLAY MYLO XYLOTO… |
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Revelator $8.98 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Lee Ritenour Live Rit Special 1984 (Sony Video LP) $39.95 The Lee Ritenour Band includes Lee Ritenour (guitars), Barnaby Finch (keyboards), Carlos Vega (drums), Jimmy Johnson (bass), Ernie Watts (saxophones), John Massaro (vocals) and Phil Perry (vocals). Tracks performed include: 1. Heavenly Bodies 2. Mr. Briefcase 3. voices 4. Dolphine Dreams 5. Operator 6. Other Love 7. Sunset Drivers 8. Mandela 9. Amaretto 10. Rio Funk 11. Is It You? 12. RIT Variatio… |