Marvel Solid-Body

 Marvel Solidbody Set-neck (1956?-1958?)

There is very limited information for these Marvel guitars, but I think they are probably Sorkin's first attempt at a solid-body. The one above has pots dated to 1956, and I think the features suggest that this is probably around about when they started making them. The double cutaway looks like it was inspired by the Stratocaster (introduced in 1954), and the brass frets and dot pattern are similar to what was used on some Homenick mandolins, so this may have been built while they were still in that factory.

This double pickup version is probably the next revision, as a more radiused body and generally looks a bit more polished. it also has sparkle pickup surrounds pointing to the coming Premiers.

This model is the first to have a pickup that is definitely made by Fransch. The earlier ones may also have been, but I suspect they were made in house by Multivox, as they are quite crude and don't really resemble other Fransch pickups that predate them. It also has a sparkle pickguard made from a different material to the Premiers. I'd guess that they were trying them out so I'd put this one as 1957/1958.

 Marvel Solidbody Bolt-on (1959?-1963?)

This is exactly to the 1959 catalog image except it is branded "Venice Studios". Sorkin seems to have done a few instruments like this - there are some Bantams branded Premier and "Vitale Music Center Special Model" or "Leogrande special model".

This is definitely from towards the end of the US made run, but whether this is the last or the one below is I don't know. Pickups are I believe Teisco black foils, but could be Dearmond.

I've picked this as the last of the US made Marvel's as the headstock logo is the same as was used on early (1963) entirely Japanese guitars. The pickguard is presumably not original and the bridge and tailpiece are the same as used on Strad-o-Lins.