The Lucky Spot, a one-time honky-tonk at 2303 Edison Highway in Bakersfield. (Photo: Kern County Museum)

What is the Bakersfield Sound?

What was, or is, the Bakersfield Sound? What’s an Okey?

How did a gritty farm town just 100 miles north of the Los Angeles music scene forever change Country music in Nashville, and popular music in general?

This little article intros the story: The Bakersfield Sound: The Music That Put Kern on the Map

Trivia Question: What Buck Owens song did The Beatles famously cover with Ringo on vocal? Leave your answer in the comments below (sorry no prize).

#BakersfieldSound #BuckOwens #MerleHaggard #TheBeatles
#Red Simpson #WynnStewart #TommyCollins #RoseMaddox #MaddoxBrothers

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Another Murph Alert!

As sighted on eBay today, a rare Murph electric guitar.

In case you’re curious, here is the link to the auction: Murph Guitar Rare Find

More about Patric Murphy and Murph guitars at the fan website dedicated to the history Murph Guitars.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for information only. We are not selling this guitar nor affiliated with the seller. We have no additional information about this guitar, the seller, or the auction.

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Rock, Rhythm & Blues History in One Guitar

Photo by Carter’s Vintage Guitars

Carter’s Vintage Guitars of Nashville has just posted the most amazing guitar sale of 2024! This ’63 black Strat has a unique place in Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues history. This one Strat was owned and played by none other than Mike Bloomfield, Buddy Miles and Jimi Hendrix. One of the most elite ownership provenance in guitar history!

Fender Stratocaster – 1963 – Black – Mike Bloomfield

Here, Gary Bohannan of Carter’s wrote this great blog, complete with photos, about this guitar and Mike Bloomfield.

The Importance Of Being: Michael Bloomfield

Thank you, Gary for the great story.

#Fender #Stratocaster #MikeBloomfield #JimiHendrix #BuddyMiles #Blues #R&B #RockNRoll

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Murph Alert!

Now on eBay, a rate 1960s Murph Squire 6-strong electric guitar.

If you are into rare electric guitars made in SoCal, in the category of “not made by Leo Fender” then this may be for you! Designed and built near my hometown of Riverside CA by WWII Navy pilot, Patrick Murphy.

1960s Blonde Murph Squire Electric 6-strong Guitar

Body – 1960s Blonde Murph Squire Electric 6-strong Guitar

Headstock – 1960s Blonde Murph Squire Electric 6-strong Guitar

Link to auction:

Rare Vintage 1960s Murph Squire Electric Guitar Great Fresh

Seller’s text from auction:

Rare Vintage 1960s Murph Squire Electric Guitar Great Fresh

Vintage 1960s Murph Squire electric guitar

In as found condition

Not tested

Looks like they are somewhat rare ?

Only number I see is 5114

Please see photos of condition

Please ask any questions

Great estate find !

#1960s #Murph #Squire #Electric #Guitar #MurphGuitars #PatrickMurphy #Navy #WWII

Note: Tone Gems does not endorse this guitar or auction, nor have any affiliation with the seller or eBay.

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Murph Alert!

If you are into rare electric guitars made in SoCal, in the category of “not made by Leo Fender” then this is for you! Designed and built near my hometown of Riverside CA by WWII Navy pilot, Patrick Murphy.

Another rare Murph Squire II-T electric guitar up for auction on eBay:
Rare 1966 Murph Squire 2 vintage elec. guitar Tobacco burst San Fernando USA

Seller’s text from the auction:

Welcome to my auction!
Here we have a very Rare Rare 1966 Murph Squire 2 Electric Guitar with rare tobacco burst finish. This guitar was USA made in San Fernando California in 1966.
I had wanted a Fender Jag in this color, when this guitar presented itself I fell in love. This falls into the category of RARE, and where are you going to find another”. Please read copied description that will go with guitar. This guitar is ALL original and unmolested condition. The pictures are the description. There are very minor handling marks on body, and slight buckle rash. This is a 56 year old beauty survivor, that should be in a rock in roll museum somewhere. This has the original luggage case as well. This item is sold as is with no refunds or warranties. Please see my feedback and bid with confidence. This is from my personal collection. I only collect the best. This ships Fed Ex ground. Payment through PayPal. Thank you for your interest in my auction. This is a USA SALE ONLY!

#Murph #MurphGuitars #WWII

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Larry Holley, Buddy Holly’s oldest brother and last surviving sibling passed away on Thursday at age 96.

In His Own Words

In this Voices of History video, Larry Holley speaks from his home in Lubbock, Texas, about his brother Buddy Holly.

Rest In Peace, Larry Holley. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Holley Family.

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How The Beatles got their name

A letter from The Beatles to their guitar heroes, The Crickets, and the story how they were inspired to change their group’s name.. Read the story…

#TheBeatles #TheCrickets #BuddyHolly

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Posted on Facebook by Keith Allison. He’s the one in the front row, left.

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Happy New Year 2021!

We originally shared this back in August of 2015.

G.E. Smith Jams on the Guitar That Killed Folk!

Read the entire article in Vintage Guitar magazine here: Michael Bloomfield’s ’63 Telecaster

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Orpheus – a little known brand of guitars

Over the years, the Orpheus brand is a name has been used on several lines of guitars in different parts of the world: from Bulgaria to the former Soviet Union, to the United States and Japan.
Through research, we found that in the late 1960s through mid-1970s, Coast Wholesale Music Company of California imported a line of electric guitars made in Japan under the Orpheus name. It is suspected, but not proven, that these electric guitars could have been made in the highly respected Matsumoku factory of Japan.

Luckily, we found this Orpheus 12-string hollow body electric back in May 2019 at Centaur Guitar in Portland, Oregon (BTW: The guys at Centaur really know their stuff when it comes to 1970s made in Japan guitars, so give them a call or stop by). Since I already owned a mid-1970’s Univox Coily, I recognized that the build and the pickups were very similar. The body, the neck, the triple edge binding, the cherry burst finish, and the pickups all resembled other guitars we’d seen from Matsumoku.

Built by Matsumoku Industrial of Japan (we think, we’re not sure!) and imported to the U.S. by Coast Wholesale Music Company of California, this 12-string semi-acoustic hollow body electric from the 1970’s is a rare bird.

Ultra-thin cutaway electric guitars from an old Coast Wholesale Music Company catalog.

What do you think? Leave your comments below, thanks!

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Hashtags: #Orpheus #MIJ #Matsumoku #Tesico #Lawsuit #Guitar

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