Epiphone Made In Japan
- Epiphone Korean Made Guitars
- Epiphone Made In Japan
- Epiphone Sheraton Made In Japan
- Epiphone Guitars Made In Japan
- Epiphone Made In Japan Serial Numbers
Vintage Guitars Info's
Vintage Epiphone Guitars.
Model Information and Specs.
Can anyone tell me more about the epi standards made in japan with the open book headstock? Are they similar to elitists and orville line? Epiphone Made in Japan MIJ White SG '61 Reissue 1998 - YouTube Very nice Japan Made Epiphone SG. Made before the mass-production era and a great quality guitar. Very nice Japan Made Epiphone SG.
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Model Information:
- Archtop (full depth) Hollowbody Models
Thinline (Gibson-made) Hollowbody Models:
Flat top Models:
Solidbody (Gibson-made) Electric Models:
1959 Gibson-made Epiphone
Emperor Zephyr Regent
Epiphone Emperor (acoustic), Zephyr Emperor Regent (electric) archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: A, Electric Cutaway model: C, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: B.
On-par with Gibson's Super 400, but not nearly as collectible because the Epi name just doesn't have the collectibility Gibson has.
- 18 1/2' wide, maple back and sides, 7 ply binding on top and back, 3 ply binding on F-holes, single bound fingerboard with 2 white lines inlaid along edges, triple bound peghead, vine peghead inlay, gold plated parts.
- elongated pickguard.
- 3 segment 'V' block pearl fingerboard inlay.
- Sunburst finish.
- Treble side dip on peghead.
- Ebony fingerboard.
- Frequensator tailpiece.
- Abalone wedge in 3 segment 'V' block fingerboard inlay.
- Natural finish optional.
- Center dip peghead.
1936 Emperor introduction specs:
1939 Emperor specs:
with selector switches
1952 Zephyr Emperor Regent specs:
- Zephyr Emperior Regent (cutaway) model available with 3 New York pickups, 2 knobs, control plate with 6 small pushbuttons.
- 1954 Emperor Electric specs:
- Zephyr Emperior Regent model renamed Emperior Electric.
- Non-cutaway acoustic model discontinued.
- Gibson made.
- Acoustic model discontinued.
- Thinbody.
- 3 New York pickups.
- Control plate with push buttons discontinued.
- 4 knobs and a 3-way switch added.
- Stairstep Grover tuner buttons.
- 3 Mini-humbucking pickups.
- Available special order only: 1963.
1958 Emperor Electric specs:
1961 Emperor Electric specs:
Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).
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1951 Epiphone Deluxe Zephyr Regent
Epiphone Deluxe (acoustic), Zephyr Deluxe (electric), Zephyr Deluxe Regent archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: B+, Electric Cutaway model: C-, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: C+.
On-par with Gibson's L-5, but not nearly as collectible because the Epi name just doesn't have the collectibility Gibson has. The Empire is the tenor version of the Deluxe and was available from 1931 to 1939.
- 16 3/8' wide, maple back and sides, 3 ply binding on top and back, single bound fingerboard, bound peghead, gold plated parts.
- Diamonds and triangle fingerboard inlay.
- 3 segment F-holes.
- Masterbilt peghead with flowers.
- Tenor version available called theEmpire (discontinued 1939).
- Foral and notched diamond fingerboard inlays.
- White pickguard.
- Vine peghead inlay.
1931 Deluxe introduction specs:
1934 Deluxe specs:
1939 Deluxe specs:
- Frequensator tailpiece.
- Natural finish optional.
- Center dip peghead.
1941 Zephyr Deluxe specs:
- Electric (Zephyr) version available: 1 pickup in bridge position, volume and tone control on 1 shaft with circular 'MasterVoicer' control plate.
1950 Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe Regent specs:
- Cutaway version (Regent) available.
- Laminated maple or spruce top or electric versions.
- New York style pickup(s) on Zephyr Deluxe.
- Single pickup Zephyr Deluxe has pickup in neck position.
- Two pickups available with slotted Strat-style switch.
- Two knobs mounted on circular 'MasterVoicer' control plate.
- Rosewood fingerboard.
- Some with Emperor style pearl/abalone V-block fingerboard inlays.
1951 Zephyr Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe Regent specs:
- Knobs in line parallel to strings.
- 'MasterVoicer' control plate discontinued.
1954 Deluxe Electric specs:
- Non-cutaway electric model discontinued.
- Zephyr Deluxe Regent (cutaway) version renamed Deluxe Electric.
- Knobs in line that crosses strings.
1958 Deluxe specs:
- Gibson made.
- Deluxe Electric (Zephyr Deluxe) and acoustic non-cutaway models dropped, leaving only the acoustic cutaway model available.
1965 Deluxe specs:
- Available by special order only.
Deluxe Discontinued 1970.
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1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent.
1961 Epiphone Zephyr Natural E311TN thinline with Gibson mini-humbuckers.
Epiphone Zephyr, Zephyr Regent, Zephyr Electric archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Electric Cutaway model: D+, Electric Non-Cutaway model: D-.
Electric Epi's have little collectibility because of their plywood construction.
- Maple veneer body, slotted-block fingerboard inlay, nickel plated parts, metal peghead logo plate.
- 16 3/8' wide body, non-cutaway.
- 1 pickup with oblong housing and metal cover in bridge position.
- Multiple bound top, single bound top and fingerboard.
- Blond finish.
- Pickup in middle position.
- Single bound top.
- 17 3/8' wide body with laminated spruce or maple top.
- Frequensator tailpiece.
- 1 New York pickup in neck position.
- Sunburst or blond finish.
- Available with cutaway (Zephyr Regent).
- Avaliable with DeArmond pickup.
- Rename Zephyr Electric (for both non-cutaway and cutaway models).
- Acoustic model dropped.
- Gibson-made thinbody with rounded cutaway.
- 2 New York pickups.
- Unbound tortoise pickguard.
- Mini-humbucker pickups replace New York pickups.
1939 Zephyr introduction specs:
1942 Zephyr specs:
1950 Zephyr and Zephyr Regent specs:
1953 Zephyr and Zephyr Regent specs:
1954 Zephyr Electric specs:
1958 Zephyr Electric specs:
1961 Zephyr Electric specs:
Zephyr Discontinued 1964.
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1959 Gibson-made Epiphone Century.
Melita bridge is not original.
Epiphone Century electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.
- 1939 Century introduction specs:
- 16 3/8' wide, non-cutaway.
- Blade pickup with oblong housing and metal cover/handrest in bridge position.
- Output jack on top.
- Single bound top, back, fingerboard.
- Dot fingerboard inlays.
- Metal peghead logo.
- Walnut finish.
- Tenor version available called theMelody (discontinued 1958).
- 15 1/4' wide.
- No handrest.
- Jack on side.
- 16 3/8' wide, non-cutaway.
- Oblong pickup with fat blade in neck position.
- Square control plate with radial markings.
- Unbound fingerboard.
- Large rectangular pickup with non-adjusting poles.
- Some Century's with New York pickup.
- Highlighted mahogany finish.
- Blond finish available.
- Rectangular black pickup housing with oblong chrome plates.
- Some Century's with New York pickup.
- Gibson made.
- 16 3/8' wide non-cutaway thin body.
- 1 New York pickup.
- 25 1/2' scale.
- Sunburst finish.
- P90 pickup replaces New York pickup.
- No peghead plate.
- Royal Burgundy finish available.
1942 Century specs:
1946 Century specs:
1950 Century specs:
1954 Century specs:
1958 Century specs:
1960 Century specs:
1961 Century specs:
- Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).
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1934 Epiphone Tudor.
Epiphone Tudor acoustic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C.
- 16 3/8' wide, trapeze tailpiece, triple bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, floral and notched diamond fingerboard inlay, Masterbilt peghead, gold plated parts.
1931 Tudor introduction.
1934 Tudor specs: Maple back and sides, bound pickguard, block letter logo, wandering ving peghead inlay, unbound peghead.
1937 Tudor discontinued.
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1954 Epiphone Broadway Zephyr Regent.
Epiphone Broadway acoustic and electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: C, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: D+, Gibson-made Electric Cutaway model: C.
- 16 3/8' wide, 25.5' scale, walnut back and sides, 3 ply binding on top and back,single bound fingerboard, bound peghead. The Bretton is the tenor version of the Broadway, and was available from 1931 to 1954 (renamed Broadway Tenor in 1937).
- 3 segment F-holes.
- Ebony fingerboard.
- Masterbilt peghead with flowers.
- Tenor version available called the Bretton (discontinued 1937).
- Large block fingerboard inlays.
- Gold plated parts.
- Unbound peghead.
- Wandering vine peghead inlay.
- 17 3/8' wide non-cutaway body.
- Pickguard extends even with bridge.
- Standard F-holes.
- Multiple bound peghead.
- Frequensator tailpiece.
- Maple back and sides.
- Center dip peghead.
- Natural finish available.
- Flower peghead inlay.
- Cutaway version (Regent) available.
- Fat column peghead inlay.
- Gibson made, cutaway model.
- Acoustic model discontinued.
- 2 New York pickups.
- 2 Mini-humbucking pickups.
- Tunematic bridge.
1931 Broadway introduction specs:
1934 Broadway specs:
1937 Broadway specs:
1939 Broadway specs:
1941 Broadway specs:
1951 Broadway specs:
1958 Broadway Electric specs:
1961 Broadway Electric specs:
Broadway Discontinued 1970.
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1953 Epiphone Triumph Regent. Picture from Folkway Music.
Epiphone Triumph acoustic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: Cutaway model: C, Non-cutaway model: D.
The Triumph is essentially a Gibson L-7, or the poor-man's Deluxe (or L-5).
- 16 3/8' wide, 25.5' scale, 3 ply binding on top and back, sunburst finish, single bound fingerboard, bound peghead, gold plated parts. Note: only interested in cutaway (Regent) version. The Hollywood is the Tenor version of the Truimph, and was available from 1934 to 1956 (renamed Truimph Tenor in 1937).
- Walnut back and sides.
- Paired diamond fingerboard inlays.
- Masterbilt peghead.
- Tenor version available called the Royal (discontinued 1935).
- Maple back and sides.
- Notched diamond fingerboard inlays.
- Floral ornament with fleur-de-lis design at top inlaid on peghead.
- Block letter logo.
- Script logo in 1935.
- 17 3/8' wide non-cutaway body.
- Script logo.
- Pickguard extends below bridge.
- Standard F-holes.
- Single bound peghead and back.
- Frequensator tailpiece.
- Natural finish available.
- Center dip peghead.
- Cutaway version (Regent) available.
- Fat column peghead inlay.
- 'E' on pickguard.
- Gibson made.
- Non-cut model discontinued.
1931 Triumph introduction specs:
1934 Triumph specs:
1937 Triumph specs:
1939 Triumph specs:
1941 Triumph specs:
1949 Triumph specs:
1958 Triumph specs:
Triumph Discontinued 1970.
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Epiphone Spartan archtops.
Collectibility Rating: D-.
- 16 3/8' wide, nickel plated parts, bound top, back, fingerboard. Tenor version call the 'Regent' from 1934 to 1937, then renamed the Spartan Tenor (tenor version discontinued 1950).
- Round sound hole.
- Maple back and sides.
- Dot fingerboard inlays.
- Stickpin peghead inlay.
- Block peghead logo.
- Sunburst finish.
- Tenor version available called theRegent (discontinued 1937).
- F-holes.
- Walnut back and sides.
- Slotted block fingerboard inlays.
- Greek column peghead inlay.
- Script peghead logo.
- Blond finish available with white mahogany wood.
1934 Spartan introduction specs:
1937 Spartan specs:
1941 Spartan specs:
Spartan Discontinued 1950.
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Epiphone Blackstone archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.
- 1931 Blackstone introduction specs:
- 14 3/4' wide, mahogany back and sides.
- Round sound hole.
- Single bound top, back, fingerboard.
- Dot fingerboard inlays.
- Sunburst finish.
- Masterbilt banner on peghead.
- 15 1/2' wide.
- Block letter logo.
- Stickpin peghead inlay.
- 16 3/8' wide non cutaway.
- Maple back and sides.
- F-holes.
- Parallelagram fingerboard inlays.
- Notched elongated diamond peghead inlay.
- Script logo.
- Tenor version available.
- Blond finish available.
- Abalone vertical oval peghead inlay.
- Abalone peghead logo.
1933 Blackstone specs:
1934 Blackstone specs:
1937 Blackstone specs:
1941 Blackstone specs:
1945 Blackstone specs:
Blackstone Discontinued 1950.
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1953 Epiphone Devon.
Epiphone Devon archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C.
1949: 17 3/8' wide carved top, 25.5' scale, frequensator tailpiece, single bound pickguard, triple bound top, oval fingerboard inlays, vertical oval peghead inlay, script Epi logo, sunburst or blond finish. Discontinued in 1953.Structurally the same as the Broadway and Triumph models.
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1933 Epiphone Royal.
Epiphone Royal archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D-.
1931: Mahogany back and sides, 3 segment 'f' hole, single bound top and back and fingerboard, dot fingerboard inlays, Masterbilt peghead, sunburst finish.
1934: 15 1/2' wide, walnut back and sides, rounded peak peghead.
1935: discontinued.
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1948 Epiphone Zenith.
Epiphone Zenith archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D- (similar to an ES-125).
- 1931 Zenith introduction specs:
- 13 5/8' wide.
- Segmented F-holes.
- Maple back and sides.
- Dot fingerboard inlays.
- Single bound top and back.
- Sunburst finish.
- Tenor version available called theMelody (discontinued 1958).
- 14 3/4' wide.
- Walnut back and sides.
- Stickpin peghead logo.
- Block peghead logo.
- Blond finish available.
- Vertical oval peghead inlay.
- Gibson made.
- 16 3/8' wide.
1934 Zenith specs:
1954 Zenith specs:
1958 Zenith specs:
Zenith Discontinued 1970.
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1934 Epiphone Beverly.
Epiphone Beverly archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.
13' wide, flat top, arched back, mahogany back and sides, 3 segmented 'f' holes, adjustable bridge, trapeze tailpiece, elevated pickguard, no body binding, dot fingerboard inlays, rounded top pehead, brown finish, tenor available. Introduced 1931 and discontinued in 1937.
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Epiphone Olympic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.
- 1931 Olympic specs: 13' wide, mahogany back and sides, 3 segmented 'f' holes.
- 1933 Olympic specs: 13 5/8' wide, trapeze tailpiece, rounded end fingerboard with dot inlays, rounded non-peak peghead, sunburst finish.
- 1934 Olympic specs: decal logo with 'Epiphone' on a banner and 'masterbilt' underneath banner.
- 1937 Olympic specs: 15 1/4' wide, standard 'f' holes. Tenor and plectrum version available.
- 1942 Olympic specs: script peghead logo with tail underneath.
- 1939 Olympic specs: center dip peghead.
- 1950 Olympic specs: discontinued.
Note in 1937-1939 Epiphone sold a model called the Apollo in England. It was very similar to the Olympic with amahogany or birch 16' sunburst body, segmented f-holes, rectanglefingerboard inlays, 'Epiphone Masterbilt' decal peghead logo, and a black pickguard. It cost less than the Olympic and had a mix of features which Jim Fisch says led to speculation it may have been produced by Regal for Epiphone.
1937 Epiphone Apollo, replaced tuners.
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Epiphone Byron archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.
15 3/8' wide, mahogany back and sides, adjustable bridge, trapeze tailpiece, unbound elevated pickguard, single bound top and back, dot fingerboard inlays, script Epi logo with tail underneath, center dip peghead. Available about 1938 only.
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Epiphone Ritz archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.
15 1/4' wide, maple back and sides, tortoise grain binding, trapeze tailpiece, dot fingerboard inlays, center dip pickguard, cherry neck blond finish. Tenor version available. Introduced 1941 and discontinued in 1950.
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1965 Gibson-made Epiphone Sheraton.
- Epiphone Sheraton thinline semi-hollow electric archtop.
- 2 New York pickups.
- 2 mini-humbucking pickups.
- Vibrato standard.
- Cherry finish optional.
Collectibility Rating: NY parts models: B+, Gibson parts models: C.
With NY pickups, knobs and neck, this is a very elegant model on par with Gibson's ES-355. However, with Gibson parts it's way less collectible.
16' wide, double round cutaways, thin semi-hollow body with solid maple block down center (like an ES-355), sunburst or blond finish, 7 layer top body binding, multiple bound neck, back, headstock, pickguard, flower headstock inlay, V-block pearl/abalone fingerboard inlay, 24 3/4' scale, Frequensator tailpiece (optional Bigsby), gold plated parts.
1958 Sheraton introduction specs:
1961 Sheraton specs:
1965 Sheraton specs:
- Sheraton Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).
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1966 Riveria.
Epiphone Riviera thinline electric semi-hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C-.
Epi's version of the ES-335, but uglier.
- 16' wide, double round cutaways, thin semi-hollow body with solid maple block down center (like an ES-335), royal tan finish, bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, 24 3/4' scale, mini-humbucking pickups, Frequensator tailpiece.
- oval fingerboard inlays (like a Windsor).
- Single bound tortoise pickguard.
Late 1961 Riviera introduction specs:
1961 Riviera introduction specs:
- single parallelogram fingerboard inlays
1965 Riviera specs:
- Sunburst finish standard.
1966 Riviera specs:
- White 3-ply pickguard with beveled edges.
- Cherry finish optional.
- 1967 Riviera specs:
- Vibrato optional.
Riviera Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).
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1961 Gibson-made Epiphone Casino, royal tan.
Epiphone Casino thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup model: C+, 1 pickup model: D-.
Essentially an ES-330. The fact that the Beatles used this guitar is the key reason it has any collectibility.
- 16' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thin body (like an ES-330), sunburst or royal tan finish, 24 3/4' scale, trapeze tailpiece (optional Bigsby), 16 frets clear of the body, single bound fingerboard, 1 P-90 pickup in middle position or 2 P-90 pickups.
- Dot fingerboard inlays.
- Black pickup covers.
- Metal peghead Epiphone logo
- tortoise pickguard
- Pearl inlaid Epiphone peghead logo.
- Single parallelogram fingerboard inlays.
- Nickel plated pickup covers.
- White pickguard.
- Chrome plated pickup covers and other parts.
- Cherry finish optional.
1961 Casino introduction specs:
1962 Casino specs:
1963 Casino specs:
1965 Casino specs:
1967 Casino specs:
Casino Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).
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1962 Professional.
Epiphone Professional thinline fully hollow electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.
A strange bird indeed. All amp controls are on the guitar, and it requires the matching amp to be fully functional. It is usable with other amps via the 1/4' jack on the top of the guitar(to utilize the matching amp requires a special cable plugged intothe guitar's multi-pin jack). There is one volume and one tone knob and 5 tone switches (giving a lot of tone variations for a one pickup guitar), which work through the 1/4' jack. The other controls on the guitar control the reverb and tremolo on the original matching amp and are as follows: one on/off switch for the reverb and one for the tremolo, one rotary knob for controlling the amount of reverb, one for controlling the amount of tremolo and one for the speed of the tremolo. So essentially the guitar is fully functional withoutthe matching amp, aside from the treble/reverb functions.But a bit too weird for most collectors, and with the single pickupbeing in the neck position, this scares away most players.
- 16 1/4' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thinbody, 1 mini-humbucking pickup, triple bound top, single bound back and fingerboard, single parallelogram fingerboard inlays, 24 3/4' scale, Frequensator tailpiece, tuneamatic bridge, royal tan or red finish. Came with a special amplifier. All amp controls on the guitar's black/white/black pickguard with 7 switches and 5 knobs. Symmetrical pickguard covered almost the whole top of the guitar.
Introduced in 1962, discontinued 1967.
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Epiphone Caiola, Caiola Custom, Caiola Standard thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C-.
Essentially a fancy artist-model ES-330.
- 16' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thin body (like an ES-330), 2 mini-humbucking pickups, ebony adjustable bridge, zero nut, no soundholes, 25 1/2' scale, trapeze tailpiece with wood center insert saying 'Caiola Model', single bound fingerboard, 7-ply top and 5-ply back binding, arc-shaped control plate with 2 knobs, 5 switches and pickup selector, 'Custom' at end of fingerboard, block fingerboard inlays, fat column peghead logo, brownish-red or royal tan finish.
- Introduced 1963.
- 1965: Tuneamatic bridge added.
- 1966: Renamed 'Caiola Custom'.
- 1966: Caiola Standard introduced with 2 P-90 pickups, single bound top, dot fingerboard inlays, no peghead ornament.
- 1968: Walnut finish only for Caiola Custom.
- Caiola Custom, Caiola Standard discontinued 1970.
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1961 Windor with 2 mini-humbuckers.
Epiphone Windsor thinline electric fully hollow cutaway archtop.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup NY part model: B, 2 pickup Gibson part model: C+, all 1 pickup models: D-.
Basically a fancier Gibson ES-125tc or ES-125tdc models, but with better pickups andbetter hardware. The 1961/1962 models really rock because of thePAF mini-humbuckers. The 1959/1960 models don't sound as loud andpowerful, but have a more jazzy and mellow tone. This model is apersonal favorite of mine.
- 16 3/8' wide, single pointed cutaway, unbound tortoise pickguard, metal peghead logo, 24 3/4' scale, rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece, gold plated parts, oval fingerboard inlays, natural or sunburst finish.
- 1 or 2 New York pickups (1 pu models in neck position).
- Mini Humbucking pickups.
- No peghead plate.
1959 Windsor introduction specs:
1961 Windsor specs:
Windsor Discontinued 1962.
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A single pickup 1967 Sorrento
in Olive sunburst.
- Epiphone Sorrento thinline electric fully hollow cutaway archtop.
- 1 or 2 PAF mini-humbucking pickups (1 pu models in neck position).
- Oval fingerboard inlays.
- No peghead plate.
- 3/4 size available.
- Vibrato discontinued.
- Cherry finish available.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup model: C, 1 pickup model: D-.
Epi's version of the ES-125tc or ES-125tdc, but with mini-humbucker pickups.
16 1/4' wide, single pointed cutaway, unbound tortoise pickguard, metal peghead logo, 24 3/4' scale, tuneamatic bridge, trapeze tailpiece, nickel plated parts, dot fingerboard inlays, vibrato optional, natural or sunburst finish.
1960 Sorrento introduction specs:
1962 Sorrento specs:
1968 Sorrento specs:
Sorrento Discontinued 1970.
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1965 Gibson-made Epiphone Granada.
Epiphone Granada and Granada Cutaway thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D-.
- Much like a Gibson ES-120T. 16 1/4' non-cutaway, thinbody, 1 F-hole, 1 Melody Maker pickup mounted into the pickguard, rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece, controls mounted into pickguard, 24 3/4' scale, dot fingerboard inlays, sunburst finish.
- Introduced 1962.
- 1965: Granada Cutaway introduced with single sharp cutaway.
- Granada and Granada Cutaway Discontinued 1970.
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1955 Epi FT-210 Deluxe Cutaway.
Epiphone FT Deluxe and FT210 Deluxe Cutaway flat tops.
Collectibility Rating: Cutaway model: A, Non-cutaway model: B.
Has the same attributes as Epi's Deluxe archtop, but in a flat top version. The cutaway model is like a cutaway J-200; a very rare and unique model. Of all pre-1958 Epi flattops, in my opinion this is the coolest!
- FT Deluxe specs: 16 1/2' wide, maple back and sides, pickguard, trapeze tailpiece, multiple bound top and back, maple neck, multiple bound rosewood fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, vine peghead inlay, gold plated parts, sunburst or natural finish.
- Introducted 1939. Discontinued 1942.
FT210 Deluxe Cutaway specs: 17 3/8' wide, single round cutaway, multiple bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, flower peghead inlay, gold plated parts, natural top finish (some sunburst).
- Introduced in early 1950's. Discontinued 1957.
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1967 Epi Excellente
- Epiphone FT120 Excellente flat top.
Collectibility Rating: B.
The fanciest flat top produced during this period by Gibson. Brazilian rosewood back and sides makes it collectible. 1965 to 1970 models worth less than 1963-1964 models with bigger necks. Too bad this model didn't have 'slope shoulders', or it would be top in it's class (most collectors don't like Gibson's square shoulder dreadnought designs).
- Square shoulder dreadnought shape, rosewood back and sides, tune-o-matic bridge, large pointed pickguard with engraved eagle, multiple bound top, back, and ebony fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, large pearl and abalone peghead inlay, single bound peghead, gold plated parts, natural top finish. Introduced in 1963. Discontinued 1970.
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1966 Gibson-made Epiphone Frontier.
Epiphone FT110 (Frontier) flat top.
Collectibility Rating: Epi-made: C-, Gibson-made: C+.
- 1942-1957 New York made FT100 specs: 16' wide, arched maple back, cherry neck, multiple bound top, single bound fingerboard, slotted block fingerboard inlays, fixed bridge with compensating saddle, vertical oval peghead inlay.
- Gibson made ('Frontier' added to FT110 model name).
- Adjustable saddle bridge.
Gibson made FT110 Frontier specs: 16 1/4' wide, 25 1/2' scale, square shoulder dreadnought shape, maple back and sides, bound fingerboard, sloted block fingerboard inlays, walnut finish on back and sides, natural or sunburst top, gold plated parts.
1958 FT110 Frontier specs:
1962 FT110 Frontier specs:
- 1963 FT110 Frontier specs:
- Large pointed pickguard with rope and cactus design.
- Standard teardrop shape pickguard, often with slashed 'C' logo.
1966 FT110 Frontier specs:
FT110 Discontinued 1970.
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1955 Epiphone Texan.
Epiphone FT79 (Texan) flat top.
Collectibility Rating: Epi-made: C-, Gibson-made: C.
The Gibson-made version is much like a J-45.
- 16' wide, walnut back and sides, triple bound top, single bound back and peghead.
- Slotted block fingerboard inlays.
- Stickpin peghead inlay.
- Maple back and sides.
- Triple bound back (some single bound).
- Single parallelogram fingerboard inlays.
- Vertical oval peghead inlay.
1942 FT79 introduction specs:
1954 FT79 specs:
- 1958 FT79 Texan specs:
- Gibson made ('Texan' added to FT79 model name).
- Round shouldered dreadnought shape.
- Mahogany back and sides.
- angled side rectangle fingerboard inlays.
- oval pearl peghead inlay.
- Slashed 'C' logo on pickguard.
- Plastic tuner buttons.
- Adjustable saddle bridge.
- Metal tuner buttons.
- Square shoulder body shape.
1962 FT79 Texan specs:
1967 FT79 Texan specs:
FT79 Discontinued 1970.
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(Gibson-made) Models
Epiphone Crestwood and Crestwood Custom solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: NY parts model: B+, Gibson parts model: C-.
Mahogany body, 2 pickups, tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece, pickguard with slashed 'C' logo, rosewood fingerboard.
1962 Crestwood Custom in Polaris White, 3+3 tuners.
- Two New York pickups.
- 1 3/4' thick symmetrical slab body with squared edges.
- Square body edges.
- Sunburst finish.
- NY style white knobs.
- Tunematic bridge.
- Metal peghead logo.
- 3 tuners on a side peghead style.
- Asymmetrical pickguard with slashed-C logo.
- Gold plated parts.
- Inked serial number a la solidbody Gibsons.
- Dot fingerboard inlays.
1958 Crestwood introduction specs:
1964 Crestwood Custom, batwing peghead.
- Late 1959 Crestwood Custom specs:
- Renamed Crestwood Custom.
- 1 3/8' thick body with rounded edges.
- Symmetrical pickguard.
- Cherry Red finish.
- Two mini-humbucking pickups.
- Pearl peghead logo replaces metal plate logo.
- Oval pearl fingerboard inlays replaced dot inlays.
- Vibrato tailpiece standard.
- Gibson style knobs.
- No pickguard logo.
- Serial number stamped into back of peghead wood a la solidbody Gibsons.
- White finish optional.
- Vibrato uses a rosewood insert.
- Asymmetrical body with upper bass horn slightly longer than upper treble.
- Asymmetrical pickguard.
- Vibrato tailpiece optional.
- Bound fingerboard.
- Goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs often used.
- 6 on a side ('batwing') tuner configuration.
- Nickel plated parts.
- Maestro vibrato has no rosewood insert.
- Maestro vibrato standard.
1961 Crestwood Custom specs:
1962 Crestwood Custom specs:
1963 Crestwood Custom specs:
1964 Crestwood Custom specs:
1965 Crestwood Custom specs:
Crestwood Custom discontinued 1970.
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Epiphone Crestwood Deluxe solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: D+.
- Basically a three pickup Crestwood Custom.Asymmetrical body with bass horn slightly longer than treble, rounded body edges, 1 3/8' deep, 3 mini-humbucking pickups, tuneomatic bridge, vibrato, asymmetrical pickguard, bound ebony fingerboard, block fingerboard inlays, triple bound peghead, 6 on a side ('batwing') tuners, cherry or white finish.
- Introduced 1963.
- Discontinued 1969.
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1964 Wilshire with a stop tailpiece and the 'cheap amp' knobs.
Epiphone Wilshire solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: 3+3 tuner models: C+, Batwing peghead model: D.
- 1959 Wilshire introduction specs:
- Symmetrical slab body with square body edges, 1 3/4' deep
- 2 white soapbar P-90 pickups
- Symmetrical pickguard
- Tuneomatic bridge
- NY style knobs.
- Vibrato optional
- Dot fingerboard inlays.
- Unbound rosewood fingerboard.
- Pearl peghead logo.
- Sunburst or Cherry red finish.
- 1 3/8' deep body with round edges.
- Cherry red finish.
- Black soapbar P-90 pickups.
- Stop tailpiece (vibrato no longer optional).
- Gibson style knobs.
- Two mini-humbuckers.
- Maestro vibrato optional.
- Asymmetrical body with upper bass horn slightly longer.
- 6 on a side ('batwing') tuner configuration.
- Gold silkscreen Epiphone peghead logo.
- Goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs often used.
- From 1963 to 1969, the Wilshire and the Crestwood Custom are nearlyidentical, expect the Wilshire has dot fingerboard inlays, a goldpeghead logo, and no fingerboard binding. Also the Wilshire isoften seen with a stop tailpiece (where the Crestwood Custom almostnever has this option).
1960 Wilshire specs:
1961 Wilshire specs:
Mid-1962 Wilshire specs:
1963 Wilshire specs:
- 1965 Wilshire specs:
- Red Silver Fox finish optional (Cherry red stain with yellow/silver pore filler).
- Stop tailpiece (vibrato no longer optional).
1966 Wilshire specs:
Discontinued 1970.
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Epiphone Coronet solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: Gen1: B, Gen2: C+, Gen3: C-.
- Mahogany body, 1 pickup, combination bridge/tailpiece (like a Les Paul Junior), rosewood fingerboard, dot fingerboard inlays.
- 1 New York pickups.
- 1 3/4' thick symmetrical body.
- Square body edges.
- Sunburst or black finish.
- NY style knobs.
- 3+3 tuners peghead style.
- Metal peghead logo.
- Asymmetrical pickguard.
- Inked serial number a la solidbody Gibsons.
- Black P-90 pickup replaces New York pickup.
- 1 3/8' thick body.
- Rounded body edges.
- Symmetrical pickguard.
- Cherry finish.
1958-1959 Epiphone Coronet, first generation
1958 Coronet introduction specs:
1960-1962 Epiphone Coronet, second generation.
1960 Coronet specs:
- 1961 Coronet specs:
- Pearl peghead logo.
- Gibson style knobs.
- Serial number stamped into back of peghead wood a la solidbody Gibsons.
- Vibrato optional.
- Asymmetrical body with upper bass horn slightly longer than upper treble.
- 6 on a side ('batwing') tuner configuration.
- Chrome P-90 pickup.
- Goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs.
- Green Silver-fox finish optional (a translucent green finish with silver pore filler).
- The Coronet also came labeled as an Epiphone Dwight model. Sameguitar, different branding, says 'Dwight' on the truss rod cover.
- Vibrato discontinued.
1962 Coronet specs:
1963-1969 Epiphone Coronet, third generation
with 'batwing' peghead, Silver Fox finish.
1963 Coronet specs:
1964 Epiphone Dwight (Coronet) with vibrato, Green Silver Fox finish.
1964 Epiphone Dwight specs:
1966 Coronet specs:
Coronet Discontinued 1970.
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1967 Olympic Double in cherry red finish,
(2 pickup) model. Note the black, narrow, Melody Maker style pickups.
- Epiphone Olympic (1 pickup), Olympic Double (2 pickups),Olympic 3/4 (1 pickup, 3/4 scale) solidbody electrics.
- Introduced 1960. Single cutaway (like Gibson's Melody Maker), 3+3 tuner configuration.
- 1963: Asymmetrical double cutaway body with upper bass horn slightly longerthan treble horn, logo between pickups, goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs.
- 1964: 3/4 scale length version discontinued, 6 on a side 'batwing' peghead,Maestro vibrato optional.
- 1965: vibrato standard.
- 1966: cherry finish optoinal.
- Discontinued 1970.
Collectibility Rating: D-.
- Combination tailpiece/bridge,dot fingerboard inlays, available one or two pickups and in 3/4 scale length version, thin black Melody Maker style pickups, sunburst finish.
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1963 Epiphone Olympic Special.
Epiphone Olympic Special solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: D-.
- One Melody Maker thin black style pickup, dot fingerboard inlays, thin Melody Makerstyle peghead, logo reads upside down to player,sunburst finish.
- Introduced 1962. Symmetrical body with sharper cutaway than other Episolidbody models.
- 1964: Maestro vibrato optional, goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs.
- 1965: Asymmetrical body with bass horn slightly longer than treble horn(still with sharper tips than other Epi solidbody models), vibrato standard.
- Discontinued 1970.
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Copyright 1995-2005 all rights reserved.
Vintage Guitars Info's
Vintage Epiphone Guitars.
General Information and Specs.
Contact the Vintage Guitar Info Guy1965 Epiphone Sheraton (Route 66 Guitars)
- Serial Numbers (How to Find the Year)
Epiphone Korean Made Guitars
Guitar Model Information:
- Archtop (full depth) Hollowbody Guitar Models
Thinline (Gibson-made) Hollowbody Guitar Models:
Flat top Guitar Models:
Solidbody (Gibson-made) Electric Guitar Models:
- Epiphone was a family business established in 1873 as 'the House ofStathopoulo' by AnastasiosStathopoulo, a greek violin maker. In 1923 they incorporated and at this time made mostly high quality and fancy banjos. In 1928 the name was changed to 'Epiphone' after Epi Stathopoulo, president of the company and one of the founder's sons. In the 1930's, the company changed its emphasis to guitars. Epiphone was the only banjo company to successfullyswitch to guitar production.
Emperor Zephyr Regent.
- In 1952/1953 the C.G. Conn Company's (a band instrument manufacturer) Orphie got Epiphone distribution rightsmoved. Now most guitar production went to Philidelphia (although the labelsstill said New York). This was done partially as a 'strike break' move,as New York Epiphone workers were in conflict with the Stathopouliofamily. The Stathopoulo family regained control again in 1955, butfew if any instruments were made in 1956 and 1957.
The Chicago Musical Instrument company (CMI), which owned Gibson, boughtEpiphone in 1957. When CMI purchased Epiphone, they got all of Epiphone'scurrent stock of parts including bodies, necks, pickups, etc. Gibson usedthese 'New Yorker' parts in conjuction with their own parts when making Epiphones from 1958 to 1961. By 1961 Gibson has used up all the originalNew York-made Epiphone parts, and then used Gibson parts made in Kalamazoo.Instruments from 1958 to 1969 are commonly referred to as'Gibson/Epiphones'.
Epiphone Made In Japan
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Model Types.
Epiphone Sheraton Made In Japan
- In addition to the Zephyr and Zephyr Regent models, Epiphone applied thetwo terms to other models to signify electric or cutaway:
- Zephyr = electric.
- Regent = cutaway.
Contruction and Value.
- High-end acoustic archtop Epiphones are constructed of high quality, solid woods. Electric archtop Epiphones are made from laminated woods. Because of this, electric archtop Epiphones are much less desirable, and are worth considerably less than fully acoustic archtop models.
Pre-1937 Epiphones are of very high quality and are generally much scarcerthan later models. They have a smaller body and less modern neck feel than later models, and are less collectable.
The most collectable models are those made from 1937 whenbody sizes were increased, up to the end of New York productions (1956).Most desirable are the professional grade models on which the companybuilt its reputation: Emperor, DeLuxe, Broadway and Triumph. These models, along with Gibsons, are considered by most to be the best vintage factory-made archtop guitars produced. Mid-rangeand low-end models are generally regarded as student model instruments.
Electric Archtop Epiphones.
- New York-made electric archtops are interesting but generally are notas collectable as equivalent acoustic models. Acoustic models aresolid carved top and back whereas electrics are plywood. In addition,the electronics on New York Epiphones are not as sonically good ascompared to Gibson of the same period or to the later Gibson-madeEpiphones. Therefore, New York electric archtop Epiphones are worthconsiderably less than Gibsons of the same period.
Early Gibson Epiphones with New York pickups are of interest to collectors.Most hollowbody Epiphone electrics bring less than the equivalentGibson models. Double cutaway thinbody electrics are the most highly sought after electric archtop models. The Emperor (single cutaway) is the rarest of the thinlines (66 made). The Sheraton, especially the early version with blond finish, is also very collectable. Sheratons with New York pickups are worth the most, but not for sound. The Riviera, though equal in playability and sound, is not nearly as collectable. The Casino is collectable only because John Lennon played one.
It may seem like a contridiction in terms: New York pickups are sonicallyinferior to Gibson pickups, but models fitted with New York pickups from 1958 to 1960 are worth more than post-1960 models fitted with better Gibsonpickups. These Epiphone models made from 1958 to 1960like the Sheraton and Coronet are much more collectable (and valuable) withNew York pickups, even though everyone agrees the later models sound muchbetter fitted with Gibson pickups.
- Solidbody electric Epiphones with New York pickups are interesting tocollectors, but not for their sound. Later solidbody models with mini-humbucking pickups bring less money than Gibson equivalents with standard humbucking pickups. None are especially valuable, althoughEpiphone workmanship and playability is equivalent to Gibson of the sameperiod.
Epiphone Guitars Made In Japan
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Epiphone Made In Japan Serial Numbers
Epiphone Model Numbers, 1953 to 1981