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About This Listing
Up for sale, a 1955 Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe Regent vintage archtop in 100% original, collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and case candy. A one family-owned instrument, this stunning New York-made Epiphone is an elegant guitar both acoustically and plugged in, loaded with its pair of New York humbuckers.
Featuring all maple body construction, the Zephyr Deluxe Regent has a 17 3/8" wide lower bout and full 25 1/2" scale length. Currently strung with 12-52 flatwound strings, this archtop offers a brilliant, clear tone with ample projection. Expressive and detailed, the New York pickups amplify the natural clarity and midrange-forward sweetness of the instrument, emblematic of one of the finest eras of Epiphone production. And when engaged in Series in the middle position on the switch, the humbuckers have a particularly authoritative sound well-suited to both lead work and complex chording. Quite versatile, this Zephyr can be sparkling and crisp or thick and mellow with the twist of a knob. Weighing 7lbs 7oz and professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this Epiphone has been dialed in to play its best with easy-playing action and accurate intonation.
The mahogany/walnut neck has a full C-shaped profile carve with round but not overly prominent shoulders, measuring .930" deep at the 1st fret and 1.020" at the 9th. The bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard is a nice dark cut of this hallowed tonewood, with multi-ply binding and pearl cloud inlay. The original slender frets are intact, with decent grooves beneath the plain strings on frets 1-5, and fainter wear extending beneath the plains until fret 8. The guitar plays easily up the 25 1/2" scale, and the bone nut measures 1 11/16" in width. The bound Brazilian rosewood headstock veneer features Epiphone's vine inlay and script logo, complete with the original truss rod cover. The original gold-plated 16:1 ratio Epsilon tuners are intact with a smooth, reliable response.
The original electronics function as intended, with the New York pickups wired to a three-way pickup selector toggle and Master Volume and Tone knobs, each capped with original distinctive cream hexagonal pointer knobs. The hardware is shockingly well-preserved, comprising the patent pending Frequensator tailpiece and floating Brazilian rosewood bridge with compensated saddle. The tortoise pickguard is equally freakish in its preservation, with original silver epsilon present, exhibiting sparingly little shrinkage or warping with bright white multi-ply binding. The original serialized label is visible through the F hole.
The original Sunburst lacquer finish is particularly glossy and vibrant, highlighting subtle bubble maple figuring across the back. The guitar exhibits a few small binding repairs, on the headstock edge and at the treble-side waist on top, with a bit of additional stable binding shrinkage on the inside edge of the cutaway. Cosmetic wear on the body is otherwise limited to just a few faint finish scuffs and minor marks. The neck profile exhibits some shallow finish chips through the gloss, worn smooth through play.
The original black alligator hardshell case with purple plush interior is included, along with a vintage strap, cable, and additional ephemera.
