Vintage Epiphone Guys

[japetus]

Saw this listed at a country auction tomorrow. It looks roached. Any info on it from anyone here?

 

[Devin]

My best guess is it's a Triumph from the 50's

 

[japetus]

My best guess is it's a Triumph from the 50's

I'm looking at it as a project, like $250-300 range bid?

 

[Devin]

I'm looking at it as a project, like $250-300 range bid?

If you’re comfortable with possibly losing that then yeah

Cuz chances are there’s a lot more wrong with it than the missing bridge and tailpiece

But you might luck out!

 

[japetus]

If you’re comfortable with possibly losing that then yeah

Cuz chances are there’s a lot more wrong with it than the missing bridge and tailpiece

But you might luck out!

I am finna go look at it tomorrow in person before the auction. I will take much more in depth pics, and do a further exam.

 

[JackBootedThug]

Get it and install a Floyd and emg’s bwah….fill the body with expanded foam though….cause hollow bodies are not the best solution for that slut bangin metulz you play….bwah….

 

[paulyc]

Old arch top guitars usually need a neck reset to get the action manageable, and I would try doing a search for old Epiphone archtops to ID what model it is, then try finding period correct hardware (bridge and tailpiece) You can get pickups that attach to the end of the neck where you don’t cut a hole in the top and the controls and output jack will attach to the pickguard (neck pickup only for smooth jazz tones). Good luck !!!

 

[VonBonfire]

Old arch top guitars usually need a neck reset to get the action manageable

Good call. I post on Jazz guitar forum sometimes and they are always talking neck resets. Hopefully the top isn't collapsed down too hard either. You never know, some corn fed could've taken it apart, lost the bridge, and just chucked an otherwise playable guitar into the corner. Some of the tailpieces on those old archtops are known to break and have to be brazed by a brass instrument repair guy or just replaced. That's also a possibility with that guitar. Good luck @japetus

 

[SpiderWars]

Look at the prices for 60s Coronets/Crestwoods/Wilshires, if they’re good they command a hefty price. They’re basically 60s Gibson quality.

I only mention to illustrate, if they were good back then (and even not so good) then the price reflects it. Even tho the Trem models were virtually unplayable due to weak break angle over the saddles.

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Those have a multipiece neck, so you might luck out on it not being warped.

 

[paulyc]

I am finna go look at it tomorrow in person before the auction. I will take much more in depth pics, and do a further exam.

Bring a straightedge…

 

[Floyd Eye]

No. Just no.

 

[paulyc]

Did you buy it OP ?

 

[japetus]

Did you buy it OP ?

No. I could not justify my lack of ability to bring it back to health as opposed to the price.

 

[SpiderWars]

Not the model you're looking at but I always thought this was a great crash course on 60's solidbody Epiphones that command some highish prices (less than $10k tho).

 

[paulyc]

What was the price ?