Vintage 1970s Epiphone FT-120 Caballero Concert / Folk Acoustic Guitar - Natural (Made in Japan / Norlin Era / Chipboard Case)

Manufactured in Japan during Gibson's 1970s Norlin era (often produced at the Matsumoku factory), this Epiphone FT-120 Caballero is a compact 00 / concert-sized acoustic guitar finished in natural gloss. It features a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, a 3-piece bolt-on neck with the internal bolt-block construction, an adjustable rosewood bridge, and the classic Epiphone "E" branded pickguard.

Specifications & Technical Setup

Brand: Epiphone.
Model: FT-120 Caballero (Folk / Concert Size).
Era & Origin: 1970s Norlin Era (Made in Japan).
Body Style: Concert / 00 Folk Non-Cutaway.
Top: Select Spruce.
Back & Sides: Mahogany.
Finish: Natural Gloss.
Neck: 3-Piece bolt-on Mahogany neck.
Fingerboard: Rosewood with pearloid dot inlays and 20 frets.
Scale Length: 25-1/2" (25.5").
Bridge: Rosewood with height-adjustable saddle and white bridge pins.
Pickguard: Black teardrop with white stamped Epiphone "E" logo.
Hardware: Chrome 3-on-a-plate tuning machines with white plastic buttons.
Strings: Newly restrung with fresh D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Light (.012–.053) strings.
Action: Set up with medium-low action.
Included Accessories: Vintage chipboard acoustic case.

Condition Note

The guitar is in excellent vintage cosmetic condition with very minor playwear for an instrument of its age. The top shows only light handling and minor pick scratches. There are no major finish chips, deep dings, or structural cracks. The sides show light scuff marks from movement inside its chipboard case. The bolt-on neck joint and internal heel block are structurally stable and sound.

Playability & Structure: The neck is straight, the bolt-on assembly is secure with proper neck pitch, and the adjustable rosewood bridge remains firmly seated to the soundboard with no lifting. Frets show minimal, even wear with plenty of life remaining. The newly installed D'Addario EJ16 strings hold pitch reliably and play cleanly with comfortable medium-low action across the entire fretboard.

Freshly restrung, fully set up with medium-low action, bench-checked, complete with vintage chipboard case, and ready to play.