" I have made some historic observations based on local knowledge and my conversation with Mr Tony Lamberti of Lamberti Bros.
 
In the pictures one thing is common, the cases.  Now I know the bass case is very sad and held together with gaffer tape but it is original as is the six string case.  The cases are the same shape and are clearly made for the guitar within.  Now here is a dead giveaway, they both appear to be "Stamford" cases that is Australian made as they both have English "Cheney" fittings. In Australia in the sixties the laws on import duty meant that if an item was imported in an unfinished condition the duty was less. This applied in many countries like the USA.  However in Australia the interpretation of that law meant if the final product included Australian components (cases) then the duty was reduced, you didn't need to import necks or parts separately, just no case.  "Stamford" were the major supplier to the industry with cases for local and imported guitars. We would say here that the case is original, being the one sold with the guitar, even if it was an Australian made "Stamford" case. As an example I have a 63 Burns, a 63 Maton (Australian made), a 67 Vox Challenger all with "Original" Stamford cases, Fenders were sold in Stamford cases.

So what does this mean.  It certainly indicates that both these guitars were original imports and not purchased in Europe.  We know that the bass was played professionally for many years and the six string is a typical "Under the bed" discovery.  My conversation with Mr Tony Lamberti indicates quite clearly that they were not imported by Lamberti Bros but most likely by Rose Music.  Therefore the question is were they special export production?

We will continue to seek information about the importer, we still have some contacts that may provide a trail..."

Ken P