Description
Up for sale is this pre-war era 1940 Epiphone Zephyr archtop electric guitar with original finish, original pickup, tailpiece, and tuners. The guitar has beautiful flame maple on both top and bottom, which is finished in blonde natural color on the top, bottom and neck. The sides have their original white/cream color.
The serial number is stamped on the back and is 4663, which places it sometime in 1940.
In the early 1940s, Epiphone experimented with different pickup configurations, styles and placements. This guitar has its original single-coil pickup. There aren’t too many examples of this guitar in the world today. So, it is quite rare to see a 1940 Epiphone, and to see one with the bridge pickup configuration.
This guitar sounds amazing for an 83 year-old instrument. The all-original pickup produces a warm and clear sound. The action on the guitar is great and it is so fun to play.
The neck has classic rectangular mother of pearl inlays. The original Epiphone logo sits atop the headstock and is really great looking.
Everything about this guitar appears to be original, with the exception of the pickguard, and the volume and tone pots and knobs. The volume and tone pots are from the 1970s. The volume pot is a CTS (Chicago Telephone Supply) dated to the 51st week of 1975.
The back of the guitar has the original access panel. During the time of electrification of guitars, there were various methods of getting the pickups and wiring inside the guitar.
Cosmetic Condition:
- Original pickup.
- Original tuners.
- Original tailpiece.
- Original bridge.
- Finish is original.
- The neck strap nut is newer.
- The pickguard is new.
- The knobs are new.
- The tone and volume pots are from the 1970s.
- There is strap wear on the bottom side around the strap nut (see pictures).
- There is paint wear along “knee” side of the guitar (right side) along the side (see pictures).
- The back of the neck has staining and wear.
- Minor staining under the pickguard.
- Scratch near left f-hole.
Neck / Headstock Condition:
- Frets are in good condition with very minor wear.
- The neck has a minor upward tilt, as common with the age (see pictures).
- There is no truss rod.
- The neck was repaired a long time ago, possibly in the 1970s when the pots were replaced. After looking at this guitar for a long time, my best guess is that the neck cracked at the heel and raised the fretboard along with it. It has been repaired and is very solid. You can see a hairline crack (which is repaired) along the heel and some repairs along the edge of the fingerboard (see pictures).
- The back of the neck has moderate wear (see pictures).
- The headstock has the original Epiphone logo and tuners.
- There are marks and abrasions on the headstock (see pictures).
- Tuners are original and in good working order.
- One tuner is lighter in color and may have either been cleaned or replaced along time ago.
Other Hardware Condition:
- The wooden bridge is original and in good working order.
- The chrome tailpiece is original and has minor wear.
- The tone knob works but when turned down to zero (or counterclockwise), it seems to silence the signal. Otherwise, it’s fine.
- The input jack is strong and clear.
Structural Integrity Condition:
- The guitar body does not have any cracks or repairs.
- The neck has a repair along both sides near the heel (see pictures) and mentioned above.
Dimensions:
- Scale (nut to bridge length): 25 7/8″
- Action height at 1st fret (low E):
- Action height at 12th fret (between top of fret and bottom of Low E):
- Neck radius:
- Overall length: 41 1/2 “
- Body width: 16 1/2″
- Body depth: 3 1/2″
- Nut width (neck width at narrowest point near top): 45mm / 1.78″
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