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Vintage USA 1961 Epiphone Century P90 Sunburst Long Scale Guitar HSC ES-125
Estimated price for orientation: 1 200 $
Category: Electric Guitars
Class:
Description Brand: Epiphone String Configuration: 6 String Model: E422T Exact Year: 1961 Body Type: Thin Hollow Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Dexterity: Right-Handed
This 1961 vintage Epiphone Century Model E422T was made at the Gibson Kalamazoo factory in Michigan, USA. The auction includes a new Epiphone branded hard-shell case that fits exactly as it should. There are no negative structural issues with this Century, only a couple of not unexpected cosmetic items that are described below.Specifications: Body: 1 7/8ths inch deep, 16 3/8ths inch wide lower bout, laminated maple hollow body with tight cream binding. Lacquer sunburst finish with walnut finish back and sides. A long indentation is present in the lacquer on the back near the heel but does not go through the finish (image 7). There is some lacquer damage on either side of the tailpiece mount and it's easy to imagine that the guitar was on a stand in high heat, or that the lacquer reacted with cushioning on the stand (image 9). Both of these finish defects were present when I bought the guitar in 1990, so I can only speculate about their origin. There is mild weather checking on the top and back. The sides don't exhibit any checking and the neck is clean except behind the nut. There's a hint of birdseye figure in the maple top. Neck: The one piece mahogany neck has a wide, flat profile (very 1961) and the finish is in excellent condition. The nut width is 1 11/16ths. The unbound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard has plastic dot inlays and cream side dots. The fingerboard shows some surface indents most notably in the "cowboy chord" area. The original jumbo frets are in excellent condition. The scale length is 25.5". The headstock is in very good condition, showing a couple of dings to the face and rub marks at the top back where people typically lean guitars up against walls. The original two-screw truss rod cover is in place and the truss rod functions as it should. The original enameled brass name plate displays well with just a few light scratches to the surface. Neck joint and angle are solid. Currently strung with D'Addario EJ20 (10 to 49) roundwounds, the action is set to 5/64ths treble, 6/64ths bass at the 12th fret with room at the bridge to raise or lower. Hardware and electrical: The original Kluson Deluxe strip tuners work fine and at playing tension don't exhibit the slack that sometimes develops in these. The buttons show no sign of deterioration or shrinking. The guitar stays in tune nicely. The original P90 registers at 7.62. The original .022 bumblebee is in place. The volume pot was replaced with a CTS in the early 1990s as the original (long gone) would not improve with cleaning. Tone pot, input jack and braided wire are original. The tortoise pickquard and mounting bracket are in fine condition. I don't know if there ever was an Epsilon on the pickguard. The original Waverly tailpiece looks very good (especially the string holder and body attachement), though the acorn nut finish has tarnished. The full contact bridge base and brass adjustment thumbwheels and posts are original. The saddle is a vintage Gotoh Japan in nickel. The Bakelite hexagonal control knobs are original and with no issues. I've noticed while posting the pictures a strap lock button at the heel and a Fender-ish strap button at the tailpiece which I will replace with the original aluminum Gibson buttons. This Century weighs approximately 5 pounds 6 ounces. It balances nicely both standing or sitting. Comments: (Strictly my opinion and impressions): I've enjoyed having this guitar in my collection for 27 years. To me, the neck seems similar to the neck on my rosewood board 1998 American Standard Strat with respect to profile, so for me it has a quirky "Gibson with a Fender vibe" play-ability. Of course a factor there is the 25.5 inch scale length. I've always found it easier to make a 25.5 length sound in tune up and down the fingerboard as compared to Gibson's standard 24.75. As Mandolin Brothers say "With a 25 ½” scale length, it brings an alternative playing feel, piano-like bass notes, sparkling harmonic clarity, and characteristic long-scale “snap” to the table". It has surprisingly good unamplified volume and tone and makes a good parlor practice guitar. It also handles Beatles Casino neck-pickup tunes very well. The bridge will be removed for shipping and placed in the case pocket. Easy-release painters tape indicating where the tailpiece edge of the bridge should be positioned will be placed on the top. Payment via PayPal. Ships to the contiguous 48 United States, only. Insurance and signature fee included in the flat-fee shipping. My listings and profile indicate no returns, however I do allow a one week grace period on guitars with the buyer returning the item in original shipping condition and paying for return shipping and insurance. If the instrument is not for you, return it within a week of receiving. I don't re-negotiate the purchase price or provide discounts/rebates after shipping.
Description
| Brand: | Epiphone | String Configuration: | 6 String |
| Model: | E422T | Exact Year: | 1961 |
| Body Type: | Thin Hollow | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| Dexterity: | Right-Handed |
This 1961 vintage Epiphone Century Model E422T was made at the Gibson Kalamazoo factory in Michigan, USA. The auction includes a new Epiphone branded hard-shell case that fits exactly as it should. There are no negative structural issues with this Century, only a couple of not unexpected cosmetic items that are described below.Specifications: Body: 1 7/8ths inch deep, 16 3/8ths inch wide lower bout, laminated maple hollow body with tight cream binding. Lacquer sunburst finish with walnut finish back and sides. A long indentation is present in the lacquer on the back near the heel but does not go through the finish (image 7). There is some lacquer damage on either side of the tailpiece mount and it's easy to imagine that the guitar was on a stand in high heat, or that the lacquer reacted with cushioning on the stand (image 9). Both of these finish defects were present when I bought the guitar in 1990, so I can only speculate about their origin. There is mild weather checking on the top and back. The sides don't exhibit any checking and the neck is clean except behind the nut. There's a hint of birdseye figure in the maple top. Neck: The one piece mahogany neck has a wide, flat profile (very 1961) and the finish is in excellent condition. The nut width is 1 11/16ths. The unbound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard has plastic dot inlays and cream side dots. The fingerboard shows some surface indents most notably in the "cowboy chord" area. The original jumbo frets are in excellent condition. The scale length is 25.5". The headstock is in very good condition, showing a couple of dings to the face and rub marks at the top back where people typically lean guitars up against walls. The original two-screw truss rod cover is in place and the truss rod functions as it should. The original enameled brass name plate displays well with just a few light scratches to the surface. Neck joint and angle are solid. Currently strung with D'Addario EJ20 (10 to 49) roundwounds, the action is set to 5/64ths treble, 6/64ths bass at the 12th fret with room at the bridge to raise or lower. Hardware and electrical: The original Kluson Deluxe strip tuners work fine and at playing tension don't exhibit the slack that sometimes develops in these. The buttons show no sign of deterioration or shrinking. The guitar stays in tune nicely. The original P90 registers at 7.62. The original .022 bumblebee is in place. The volume pot was replaced with a CTS in the early 1990s as the original (long gone) would not improve with cleaning. Tone pot, input jack and braided wire are original. The tortoise pickquard and mounting bracket are in fine condition. I don't know if there ever was an Epsilon on the pickguard. The original Waverly tailpiece looks very good (especially the string holder and body attachement), though the acorn nut finish has tarnished. The full contact bridge base and brass adjustment thumbwheels and posts are original. The saddle is a vintage Gotoh Japan in nickel. The Bakelite hexagonal control knobs are original and with no issues. I've noticed while posting the pictures a strap lock button at the heel and a Fender-ish strap button at the tailpiece which I will replace with the original aluminum Gibson buttons. This Century weighs approximately 5 pounds 6 ounces. It balances nicely both standing or sitting. Comments: (Strictly my opinion and impressions): I've enjoyed having this guitar in my collection for 27 years. To me, the neck seems similar to the neck on my rosewood board 1998 American Standard Strat with respect to profile, so for me it has a quirky "Gibson with a Fender vibe" play-ability. Of course a factor there is the 25.5 inch scale length. I've always found it easier to make a 25.5 length sound in tune up and down the fingerboard as compared to Gibson's standard 24.75. As Mandolin Brothers say "With a 25 ½” scale length, it brings an alternative playing feel, piano-like bass notes, sparkling harmonic clarity, and characteristic long-scale “snap” to the table". It has surprisingly good unamplified volume and tone and makes a good parlor practice guitar. It also handles Beatles Casino neck-pickup tunes very well. The bridge will be removed for shipping and placed in the case pocket. Easy-release painters tape indicating where the tailpiece edge of the bridge should be positioned will be placed on the top. Payment via PayPal. Ships to the contiguous 48 United States, only. Insurance and signature fee included in the flat-fee shipping. My listings and profile indicate no returns, however I do allow a one week grace period on guitars with the buyer returning the item in original shipping condition and paying for return shipping and insurance. If the instrument is not for you, return it within a week of receiving. I don't re-negotiate the purchase price or provide discounts/rebates after shipping.