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1949 EPIPHONE ZEPHYR - Natural Finish, Flame Maple, Original Case and Iconic NY Pickup

This "piece of pre-Gibson Epiphone history" is really in remarkable original condition, especially for being age 70.

These old original Epi's, built in Epiphone's New York plant, are under-appreciated and under-valued. Perhaps because the woods are laminated and heavier. But for this much vintage mojo and character... Heck, this nice original hardshell case alone might be worth 25% this price to the right buyer.

Very nice 3-piece cherry/maple neck w/ "slotted" block inlays and early "no pole" ’New Yorker’ (or Spectrum) pickup, which just came out this year, 1949. Epiphone did away with the access panel on the backs around this time, also. The Zephyr would have a Frequensator tailpiece starting in 1950, so this is the last year with this particular feature.

25485 serial dates it from 1945 to 1950, but based on features and research, I date it to 1949. 17 3/8’ wide; maple back and sides and spruce top (rare, as most had maple tops that I've seen); nice acoustic sound; appears to have original parts: embossed Epi tuners, octogon knobs (on MasterVoicer plates), metal headstock logo plate (so cool!), tailpiece, NY pickup w/ black PU ring, tortoise celluloid pickguard (it is warped, but still functional, kept off guitar because it is nitrocellulose and was having a reaction while stored on guitar in case, as they can do), and period-correct rosewood bridge.  It is missing the end pin.  I will say that the NY pickup (it is not a mini-humbucker, before that time, but is a single coil, and this one is the version w/o individual poles) has a totally unique sound. I've seen people selling a single pickup for $600. The guitar has a "thrust rod" rather than a truss rod, adjusting from bottom of neck.

There is a great flame on neck! Note that there is no access panel on this guitar (again, gone by this time); 3-ply top binding; bound RW fingerboard with nice slotted/segmented pearl inlays and very nice frets; OHSC has embossed ’E’ inside like others I’ve seen from the era; it is in decent condition with all latches and nice inside. This guitar has a good acoustic sound, unamplified. The sides and neck are GORGEOUS birds-eye flame maple, the binding matches all around, and is in excellent shape. The finish on guitar looks original and matches all around. There is only one spot of missing finish on top, from finger wear. Another nice feature is the headstock veneer-- there is a 3-ply veneer here (maple, a light brown, and then a dark brown wood... very nice touch! Overall, guitar is is in quite nice (EX) shape.

The neck, which has a walnut strip down center, and nice flame, has a 1 11/16+ inch nut, and a 25.5" scale. It actually plays nicely, and is set up with D'Addario Ribbon-wound Chromes (.012 - .052), perfect for this guitar. And.... the original frets (not sign of a re-fret) are in amazing condition!

Note: One of the octagon knobs broke when tightening it (this old plastic, bakelite gets very brittle with age), so I put on another classic 40's-Gibson-style knob set-- they match the black PU ring. They are shown in a couple of the pictures. I will include the original knobs (you could try come super glue).

p.s., I think it is crazy that these old EPI's do not get more interest and respectg.   They are shown in a couple of the pictures.  I will include the original knobs. 

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Listed4 years ago
ConditionVery Good (Used)
Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • Zephyr
Finish
  • Natural
Categories
Year
  • 1949
Made In
  • United States
Body Type
  • Hollow Body

KJ's Vintage Guitars

Denver, CO, United States
Sales:190
Joined Reverb:2015

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