Post by Tony Ravenscroft on Aug 12, 2018 12:24:08 GMT -6
Models of Austin guitars from SLM (Saint Louis Music) known to have at least been advertised up to 2005
ALL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION
The instruments of the era can usually be distinguished by the "Austin" logo being in serif block characters with a slight italic lean. On the 2004 catalogue, the script "Austin" was used three times (front cover, frontispiece, back cover), but on NONE of the instruments pictured. The script logo is common to all Austin guitars in subsequent years.
There's no indication the 2004 catalogue was ever published. Some of the models (particularly acoustics & banjos) may never have been produced. Until we have seen at least one for sale, any given model's entry will be marked as unverified.
At the moment, the list is incomplete, in particular lacking my notes about the acoustic guitars.
(The following order makes no sense, but is based on the order used in the 2004 catalogue. I have wedged entries for earlier models near their replacements.)
data presentation: model number -- official name -- last known MSRP -- features list -- colors
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-- ELECTRICS ---
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AU998 Jazz Artist $699
175-type, single-cut archtop, set-neck, spruce top, (flame?) maple back/sides, pearloid/abalone block inlays, gold hardware, scroll trapeze, two HBs, 2V/2T, fully bound, very thick binding. (natural; tobacco sunburst)
AU931 Era Professional Standard $419
S-type, alder?, Wilkinson "Classic" S bridge ('50s spec but push-in arm), Wilkinson WVS series Alnico V pickups (staggered, chamfered), Wilkinson tuners. (black; natural; tobacco sunburst)
AU933 Era Professional Deluxe $449
(introduced 2006) S-type, alder, quilt maple veneer, h-s-s, Wilkinson "Contemporary" bridge (thick hardened steel surround, steel block, stainless slugs), WHS singles (Alnico V, high-output WVS, non-stagger), WHHB humbucking (ceramic). (amber burst; blue burst; black cherry)
AU935 Era Professional Deluxe $?
(through 2005) S-type with 3-3 headstock (similar to AU792 shape), veneer face, Wilkinson VS50K trem, black-cover h-s-s pickups. (black cherry {dark trans red}; others??)
AU735F Era Flamed Deluxe $279 ?
(disc 2004) S-type, faux-flame maple top/back, h-s-s, Kluson-type tuners. (purple burst; tobacco sunburst; emerald green burst; blue burst; amber burst; cherry burst; charcoal burst)
AU762F Era '62 Flamed Deluxe $299 ?
NOT CONFIRMED
(disc 2004) T-type, flamed maple top, Kluson-type tuners. (charcoal burst; tobacco sunburst)
AU961 Era '62 Professional Standard $399
(introduced 2006) T-type, alder, satin (nickel?) hardware, Wilkinson "Classic" 3-saddle open ashtray bridge, Wilkinson Alnico V pickups (WVT-B/-N). (natural/tortie; tobacco burst/pearloid)
AU962 Era '62 Professional Deluxe** $449
T-type, alder, quilt maple veneer, bright hardware, Wilkinson "Classic" 3-saddle open ashtray bridge, unbranded SC & humbucker (prior to 2006), Wilkinson Alnico V pickups (WVT-B/WVC minibucker) (2006 and later), bound top (single ply). (amber burst; cherry sunburst)
AU792 Tour Pro*** $449
PRS-type, set neck, quilt maple veneer (some have faux quilted top), carved top, inletted controls, bound top, stoptail, 3-3 head, back/neck matches body color, pearloid logo, dots. (amber; blue; cherry; cherry sunburst; green; purple; raspberry; tobacco sunburst)
AU796 Session Master $499
335-type, set neck, all-maple body, bound top/neck (single), chrome hardware. (antique natural; cherry; tobacco sunburst)
AU776 Thunder Rock $399
SG-type, set neck, mahogany/mahogany, back-rout, pearloid logo, chrome hardware, tulips. (walnut; wine red)
AU766 Vintage Rock $349
LP-type, set neck, maple neck, body ?, bound top/neck (single), cream pg/rings, tulips, pearloid logo. (gloss black; cherry sunburst; wine red)
AU786 Vintage Rock Custom $479
LP-type, flame/quilt maple veneer, set neck, maple neck, full-bound (4-ply), black pg/rings, tulips, pearloid logo. (flame cherry sunburst; flame tobacco sunburst; quilt cherry sunburst; quilt tobaco sunburst)
AU754 Rock Standard $289
S-type, ash, boltie, carved top, deep relief, h-h, 3-3, stoptail, chrome hardware, back rout. (transparent blue; wine red)
AU756 Rock Deluxe $319
S-type, ash?, boltie, carved top, deep relief, h-s-s, 3-3, 6-screw, black hardware, back rout. (metallic blue; metallic red; metallic silver)
AU758 Rock Pro $389
(disc 2004) body similar to Washburn "Chicago Series" models, boltie, carved top, h-s-s, 3-3, Rose, gold hardware. (black; trans purple;
)AU762 Era '62 Standard $319
T-type, "hardwood," modern bridge (6-saddle plate). (black; cream; red)
AU720 Era Junior $179
short S-type, "hardwood," V/T. (black; pink; transparent blue; transparent red)
AU... Mini Era $149
(disc 2004) short S-type, one single-coil pickup, 1 V
AU731 Era Standard**** $199
S-type, "hardwood". (antique white; black; natural; red; sunburst; transparent blue (+$10); transparent purple (+$10); transparent red (+$10))
AU733 Era Standard Metallic $219
S-type, h-s-s, "hardwood". (metallic blue; metallic black; metallic pink; metallic red; metallic grey; platinum (light bronze); titanium ice (purple-blue))
AU740 Era Standard Left-Handed $199 ?
S-type, "hardwood". (black; transparent red)
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---- BASSES ----
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AU789 Custom Eclipse Bass $399 ?
(disc 2004) Alvarez, quilt maple front/back, back-rout, 2 soapbars, heavy bridge. (amber burst; blue burst; purple burst; tobacco sunburst)
AU790 Custom Eclipse 5-String Bass $449 ?
(disc 2004) same specs as AU789. (blue burst; purple burst; tobacco sunburst)
AU870 Eclipse Pro Bass 4-string $699
AU875 Eclipse Pro Bass 5-string $799
Alvarez, neck-thru, 5-piece maple/walnut neck, mahogany core, bubinga top, oil finish, back-rout, 2 MM-type pickups, 2-band EQ, satin hardware, heavy bridge.
AU860 Eclipse Custom Bass 4-string $499
AU865 Eclipse Custom Bass 5-string $599
Alvarez, alder, quilt maple veneer, back-rout, 2 soapbars, heavy bridge. (amber burst; blue burst; black cherry)
AU850 Eclipse Standard Bass 4-string $299
AU855 Eclipse Standard Bass 5-string $349
(disc 2004 ??) Alvarez, alder, 2 soapbars, back-rout, heavy-end bridge. (natural; wine red; tobacco sunburst)
AU759 P-Style Bass $269/$259
disc 2004. (black; transparent red; sunburst; transparent blue; natural)
AU770 P-Style Bass Left-Handed $...
disc 2004. (black)
AU769 PJ-Style Bass $299
disc 2004.
AU779 Intruder $319 ?
(disc 2004) StingRay style, "egg" pickguard, chrome hardware, 3-bolt neck (ferrules). Doubled side-ear J-type pickups, or three-ear MM-style (both spotted). (blue burst; purple burst)
AU834 J-Style Bass $279
"hardwood". (black; natural; metallic blue; metallic red)
AU829 P-Style Bass $249
"hardwood". (antique white; black; natural; sunburst; transparent blue; transparent red)
AU840 P-Style Bass Left-Handed $...
"hardwood". (black; transparent red)
AU820 Short Scale Bass $...
NOT CONFIRMED
P-type, 30" scale, Chinese ash, back-rout, no pickguard. (gloss black; sunburst)
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-- MANDOLINS --
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AU625
A-style, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, tobacco sunburst
AU650
F-style, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, gold hardware, pearloid logo, tobacco sunburst
AU655
NOT CONFIRMED
F-style, all solid, carved spruce top, maple back/sides/neck, scroll inlays, bound head, gold hardware, pearloid logo, tobacco sunburst
AU657
NOT CONFIRMED
F-style, all solid, carved spruce top, flame maple back/sides/neck, ebony fingerboard, scroll inlays, 5-ply binding, gold hardware, pearloid logo, antique violin sunburst
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---- BANJOS ----
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AU670 Standard
NOT CONFIRMED
mahogany shell/resonator/neck, 18 brackets
AU672 Standard Open Back
NOT CONFIRMED
lam rim/shell, mahogany neck, rolled brass tone ring, geared 5th, 18 brackets
AU675 Deluxe
aluminum shell, mahogany resonator/neck, light inlay, engraved armrest
AU677 Pro Deluxe
NOT CONFIRMED
bound mahogany resonator, mahogany neck, lam rim/shell, rolled brass tone ring, geared tuners, engraved armrest, inlay
AU677T Pro Deluxe Tenor
NOT CONFIRMED
same specs as AU677
AU678 Deluxe Open Back
NOT CONFIRMED
lam rim/shell, mahogany neck, rolled brass tone ring, geared tuners, deluxe tailpiece, classic inlay
AU679 Elite
NOT CONFIRMED
bound mahogany resonator, mahogany neck, rolled brass tone ring, engraved tension hoop/flange/armrest, geared tuners, deluxe tailpiece, inlay
AU977 Elite Pro
bound flame maple resonator, 3-ply maple rim/shell, maple neck, brass tone ring, engraved tension hoop/armrest/one-piece flange, geared tuners, deluxe tailpiece, inlay
AU979 Prestige
NOT CONFIRMED
bound flame maple resonator, 3-ply maple rim/shell, maple neck, carved heel/headstock, brass tone ring, engraved tension hoop/armrest/one-piece flange, geared tuners, deluxe tailpiece, inlay, gold hardware
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-- RESONATORS --
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AU680 Round Neck
NOT CONFIRMED
spruce top, mahogany neck/back/sides, spun cone, inlaid logo
AU690 Square Neck
NOT CONFIRMED
spruce top, mahogany neck/back/sides, spun cone, inlaid logo
AU682 Round Neck
mahogany top/back/sides, maple neck, F holes, spun cone, inlaid logo
Metal Resonators
NOT CONFIRMED
steel body, nickel finish, mahogany neck, spun cone, inlaid logo
AU980 round neck
AU980S square neck
Metal Resonators Engraved
NOT CONFIRMED
engraved steel body, nickel finish, mahogany neck, spun cone, inlaid logo
AU982 round neck
AU982S square neck
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-- FLAT-TOPS --
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________________
** -- not to be confused with early flame-top AU962F. And the immediately previous quilt-top (MIK) had a full-size humbucking pickup (cream ring, chrome cover) in neck position.
*** -- version in 2004 catalogue shows central 3-position toggle switch, apparently replacing previous "blend" knob. Both versions exist.
**** -- the AU731 was the centerpiece of the "Guitar Performance Pack," AUPP1; hence, the guitar is sometimes listed as an AUPP. (kit colors: black; sunburst; trans blue; trans red)
