I am the original owner. Very few hours of playing time on this guitar. Only 300 made.

A Guitar That’s Smooth as Tennessee Whiskey

Reconnecting with country roots is as much about the instrument as the song that’s sung. It’s no surprise then that contemporary country star Chris Stapleton favors a vintage piece like the Epiphone Frontier, now masterfully re-created in the form of this limited-edition masterpiece. The Chris Stapleton Frontier Acoustic-electric captures the resolute country sound and captivating looks of Stapleton’s own vintage Frontier, down to his eye-catching “lariat cactus” double pickguards. Beyond looks, the Stapleton Frontier’s square-shouldered dreadnought body is a winning pick for clear, balanced sound and trouble-free work in the studio. Much like Stapleton’s journey from Nashville ghostwriter to modern star, the original Epiphone Frontier shares a strikingly similar history as the oft-overlooked origin/ghostwriter of Gibson “Bird” acoustics, renowned for their comfort, projection, and stage-ready sound. A figured maple body and a heat-aged spruce top deliver a warm, rich tone that’s broken in right out of the box, paired with an LR Baggs VTC system onboard for premium plugged-in sonics. The “Round C” mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard make for effortless cowboy chords, but fingerpickers will find plenty of substance for arpeggios and leads. Though it bears the Epiphone name out of honor to its namesake, the Stapleton Frontier is crafted in Bozeman, Montana, by the finest Gibson acoustic luthiers. This guitar’s bespoke tone, looks, and feel may resonate for generations.

Premium aged tonewoods: where substance and style combine

This guitar has clarity down pat! It can roar onstage but is also exceptionally balanced thanks to the body’s modified square shoulders, a perennial favorite of country artists worldwide. Acoustic experts found the Stapleton Frontier’s “heat-aged” Sitka top noticeably louder and clearer than non-aged tops. The volume is ample, full, and awash with Sitka’s signature brightness but slightly mellowed and aging with heat for a warm country tone. Professional heat treatment prior to assembly removes the wood’s water and sugars for lighter, more resonant results. In short, this top sounds like an acoustic guitar that’s aged and improved naturally for decades. And paired with maple back and sides, the top sets this guitar up for tonal exceptionalism. Premium cuts of figured AA maple yield responsive tone with a touch of hill country clarity and glistening upper harmonics — perfect additions to spruce’s power and projection. Together, the Stapleton Frontier’s core tonewoods offer ample power for hearty strums, matched with stunning full-bodied clarity for picked chords and arpeggios.

The ultimate dreadnought for feeling like a millionaire in the studio

Whether you call it outlaw country, Americana, or “the good stuff,” instruments like the Limited-edition Chris Stapleton Frontier form the backbone of countless country classics on stages and in studios. Most country artists need a balanced guitar that tackles chords and fingerpicking equally well, and the Frontier delivers. The Epiphone Frontier’s 1958 debut marked the Gibson family’s first foray into square-shouldered designs that now arguably define the Gibson Acoustic sound. Paired with a dreadnought body, square shoulders have outstanding projection but with warmer, more natural bass than their round-shouldered siblings. The result is incredibly focused tone that’s become an enduring favorite for studio tracking. To top it all off, each Chris Stapleton Frontier receives a deluxe nitro finish for a professional feel and tonewoods that breathe as a guitar should.

LR Baggs electronics

LR Baggs VTC electronics capture the kind of amplified acoustic tone you’d expect from a world-class audio engineer working overtime. At the core of the VTC system is an LR Baggs Element pickup with tone and volume controls, a unique build that tracks the guitar top’s vibrations instead of string attack. VTC technology saturates amplified tone with extra harmonic content and analog warmth that’s natural sounding yet noticeably better than a standard acoustic pickup. Additional dynamic automatic EQ handles problematic frequencies as they arise with touch-sensitive compression that works with your playing for a more authentic amplified tone that’s tough to beat.

Epiphone Limited-edition Chris Stapleton Frontier Acoustic-electric Guitar Features:

• Chris Stapleton’s limited-edition acoustic-electric guitar — only 300
• Square-shouldered dreadnought body — ample volume for picking and strums with focused, well-rounded tone
• Heat-aged Sitka spruce top delivers resonant, responsive tone sweetened with a hint of age
• Dual “lariat cactus” pickguards add bold classic country looks based on vintage Frontier design
• Gorgeous back and sides made from AA figured maple for balanced, full-bodied tone — perfect for Americana!
• “Round C” mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard —perfect for country players with a comfortable, full feel
• LR Baggs VTC Element electronics for rich amplified tone
• VTC Element system includes volume and tone controls with built-in dynamic EQ
• Premium hardware and appointments, including Gotoh tuners, bone nut and saddle, rosewood bridge, and nitro-finished tonewoods
• Crafted in Bozeman, MT, by Gibson’s finest acoustic luthiers