Epiphone Recording Model 'A,' circa 1928

These were the first guitars made by Epiphone, which had been a maker of quality banjos also named "Recording Model". The guitars kept the same pearloid veneers and banjo tuners throughout the run of this series of models. The 'Model A' was the low end of the line, which ran from A to E, yet it still has all the necessary tone-producing elements. The top is X-braced and lightly constructed, the back and sides are laminated maple. Some expert restoration has been done by Mario Martello, who worked at John Lundberg's legendary shop, Fretted Instruments, in Berkeley, CA. Back & sides are refinished, the tuners and bridge have been replaced and an oversized pickguard has been added (on top of the finish, not under). As is usually the case, these Recording Models sound amazing when properly set up, as this one is. Eric has owned one for 50 years and could never give it up.