1949  N.Y. Epiphone Blackstone Archtop–A hollow body archtop acoustic guitar known for its carved spruce top and figured maple back and sides. It was part of Epiphone's mid-tiered Masterbilt line, manufactured in New York, and made from 1935-1950.  In ’37, f-holes were added and it became a 16 3/8 wide guitar. Of all the Blackstones made, there are very few natural finish ones between ’41 and ’49, so fairly rare.  This would be one of the last ones made. 

VG+/EX- (8.5) condition and appears to be mostly original but likely a very high quality refinish and restoration.  There are no cracks, no repairs on entire guitar.  A few dings, but excellent overall condition for its age… too good, in fact, which is why I suspected a refinish. It has not had a neck reset and does not need one.  There is a working “thrust rod” (at end of neck on this model).  The maple back has some light wear in center but very clean overall.  There is some checking on the headstock veneer and one surface-only crack on treble upper bout side (does not go through, no cleat).  The finish is in EX condition.  In my opinion, the neck binding (which is a bit brighter than the body), was likely replaced during a more recent refret.  The frets are barely worn.  The inside is very clean and the braces are all good and tight.  It is marked “208” inside on one side panel, probably just designating which woods went with others for matching.   Most parts on guitar appears to be original, including the trapeze tailpiece, the adjustable rosewood bridge (which is stamped with matching serial#), and the open-back Waverly tuners.  The oval celluloid tuner buttons have some dark spots from age and probably gassing, but are still solid… no compromise at all yet, so I am leaving them as is. The entire finish shows some yellow-green tint and no touch-ups with black light (poly finish would not have this light green tint).This could be evidence of a very old (i.e., 30-40 year old) Nitrocellulose pro-refinish.  The front of headstock glows dark, muddy green: definitely old nitro.  The pickguard also glows dark green (older plastic here for sure, but most original pickguards are long gone).   The body binding is excellent condition with no dings and no shrinkage, and the finish on it has yellowed nicely.  So the best theory is that this was a very well-done professional restoration that likely cost quite a bit and included all new binding, a refret and a nitro refinish everything except the front of headstock.  This explains why guitar is in such amazing shape and is in line with what I know of the elderly prior owner and his love for this guitar.  The guitar is dated by the Epiphone tag (perfect, crisp condition) inside f-hole. 

As for sound and playability—excellent!  Very clear punch and projection and excellent mids.  It has bronze round-wounds on it, but I feel it could be amazing with d’Addario XL Chromes 11-50.  It would be a great period jazz acoustic and you could use a floating pickup on it, also.  Plenty of room to adjust action and good neck angle.

Key Specifications

• Body: Hollow-body archtop, 16 3/8" wide and 3.5" deep. The guitar weighs just 5.14 lbs. 
• Top: Solid, 2-piece arched, hand-carved high-grade spruce top with “cello” f-holes.
• Back/Sides: Beautiful quilted maple 1-piece back and maple-ply sides. Laminated.  Also arched.
• Neck: Set 3-piece maple neck with walnut center strip to enable the thrust rod. Soft V-shape profile at nut, full “C” by 9th fret. 20 frets, 14 clear of body.  Frets are excellent, recently replaced, there are no nibs. Heel cap is not cracked.
• Fingerboard: Bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.
• Bridge: Original adjustable Brazilian rosewood, is stamped with serial # on bottom.
• Pickguard: Original nickel hardware, black plastic glows green, could be original survivor, or an older translucent replica.
• Inlays: Single pearl parallelogram inlays
• Scale Length:  25.5".
• Nut Width:  1 11/16" (1.71" on caliper)
• Headstock: Open-book shape with handcut script abalone logo and a notched oval inlay (starting in ’47). Tuners are original single Waverly “yoda head” 12:1 with hex bushings.  Celluloid buttons show some gassing discoloring but are solid.

Altogether a beautifully-restored-near-perfect and quite rare period “player-grade” archtop acoustic… and a bargain for almost 80 years old.

An extra bonus of value:  The guitar has the original Epiphone Lifton hardshell case with burnt orange lining in very good condition (with Epsilon logo in top fur).  It has original leather handle, which is wrapped in black tape for security.