For sale is this simply stunning example of the highly sought after Epiphone FT-150.

Why is it highly sought after?

These guitars were Epiphone’s first step into far east mass production. They wanted to get production up and running quickly so they approached Ibanez and asked them to produce the guitars on their behalf. So the body on this guitar is in fact an Ibanez body and the neck is a modified Ibanez neck with Epiphone’s headstock.

What’s even more desirable about this particular model is that it was one of the “made in Japan” guitars. As soon as production went to Korea, quality issues started occurring such as weak neck blocks and twisted necks.

So this guitar was made in Japan and it was one of the earliest so attention to quality was high. The wood choice and construction was from Ibanez’s flagship model.

What have I done to it?

I first saw this guitar advertised as “in bits, needs assembly, all the bits are there”. So I figured, putting it all back together was a couple of hours work. Alas not, in fact three of the internal braces were loose, the rosette was buckled and warped, there was a tuner bushing missing and at some point, the headstock had been broken and repaired. So in terms of the work I’ve carried out, it’s as follows:

• I tidied up, repainted and polished the poorly finished headstock repair. (The repair itself was fine, just the finishing)

• I re-glued the internal braces to strengthen the top and improve the tone.

• I replaced the cheap (non standard) tuners with a set of beautiful vintage style tulip tuners.

• I reassembled the neck, adjusting the saddle to get the right playing action.

• I cleaned and polished the frets and re-oiled the fretboard.

• Final I put some new strings on it.

• Of course there are the usual character dings and knocks that you’d get with a 50yr old guitar.

How does it sound?

To say it’s incredible is an understatement! It was in pieces when I got it, so I had no comparison other than an Epi FT-145 I’d previously restored (which sounded nice, but just nice). This guitar, it sounds incredible! For a laminate guitar, it shouldn’t sound so good but it just does. I’m guessing it’s the choice of rosewood back and sides and spruce top.

So laminate guitars from the 70s tended to feel much heavier than Solid wood. This guitar feels really light so there is some clever trickery that’s helped produce the sound.

It reminds me of a Gibson hummingbird, with that clarity across the tonal range. Then there’s that unmistakable rumble in the bass that J45s, Hummingbirds and D28s have.

It’s insanely “expensive” sounding and the action makes it’s beautiful to play.

In fact I love it that much, I can’t quite decide if I’m going to keep it or not! So message me to make sure I’m actually still selling it!

Guitar Specs

Top: Select Spruce

Back & Sides: Select Indian Rosewood

Neck: African Mahogany

Fretboard and bridge: Rosewood

Nut & Saddle: Plastic & Bone

Bridge pins: plastic

Tuners: closed back vintage tulip

Logo, inlays, pickguard: solid mother of Pearl

Binding: plastic