Pre Guild archtop

[powerwagonjohn]

I recently pick up a early 1950 Epiphone archtop guitar. It has seen a lot of use and has several well sealed cracks in the top and one on the back, some filled groves in the finger board and lots of small dings and scratches. The back of the neck and the top has had a light overspray many years ago. It has had a neck reset and plays/sounds great with plenty of volume and has it's original case. This was most likely built by some of the same folks, that in a few years were building our New York Guilds. The guitar has a 25 1/2 " scale and a 17 3/8 wide body with carved maple back and carved spruce top. It has a 5 piece neck and came with a pick guard. Because of the condition, I got a good deal on a fully carved golden era archtop. I also posted a gratuitous photo with my 1952 Gibson L-4 for a size comparison.
Thanks john

 

[GGJaguar]

Looks like a Triumph. Those Epiphones sure have a lot of cutting power and get heard in the mix. Congrats!

 

[walrus]

Nice score! Those diamond inlays look familiar!



walrus

 

[sailingshoes72]

Beautiful guitar! And nice photos. At 17 1/2 inches, that’s a big jazz box. Interesting to realize that it was built by some of the same craftsmen who later worked for Guild.

 

[sailingshoes72]

Nice score! Those diamond inlays look familiar!



walrus

I think it was George Grhun who resurrected the notched diamond inlays, when he was doing designs for Guild.

 

[walrus]

I think it was George Grhun who resurrected the notched diamond inlays, when he was doing designs for Guild.

Yes, that's my now sold '84 D64, designed by Gruhn.

walrus

 

[shihan]

Great score! Love those Epi archtops. A ‘40’s Broadway remains the most impressive guitar I’ve ever played.
Sweet L-4, too! You’re a lucky guy

 

[powerwagonjohn]

Thanks all, the Triumph is essentially the same guitar as the Broadway and the Deluxe just less ornamentation and plainer woods. She is a keeper and I can even travel with the Triumph as it has plenty of nicks and dings.
Thanks John