| Comments | In the time between the World Wars, giant archtops ruled the Earth’s stages and bandstands, and in that period, Epiphone was one of the most dominant names. During the 1930’s, Epiphone used the ‘Masterbilt’ label to denote higher-end instruments. More recently, Gibson has resurrected the Epiphone Masterbilt label for the same purpose.
Volume and clarity have always been issues for acoustic instruments, and between 1931 and 1939 Epiphone used Black Walnut for backs and sides on Broadway models rather than the much more common maple. Black Walnut had been used on instruments like banjos to provide brilliance and loudness, and it has the same tonal effects on an archtop. The result is loud and clear, bright yet balanced, with good articulation even when pushing the strings for volume. This 1939 Epiphone Masterbilt Broadway archtop guitar is in good playing and structural condition. It’s been professionally refretted for playability, and is ready to go for quite some time yet. |
| Serial Number | 14287, built during 1939 in New York City. |
| Pricing | $3,150.00 CAD with original case. SOLD |
| Neck | Mahogany neck with maple/walnut center laminations and bound rosewood fingerboard. 25.5 inch scale length, 1.75 inch nut width. Large mother of pearl block position markers and peghead vine inlay, ‘Masterbilt’ headstock shape. The truss rod adjuster is located underneath the fingerboard extension at the body. |
| Frets | This instrument has been refretted for playability, and the frets (and fingerboard) are in good condition. |
| Body | 17.25 inch wide, non-cutaway body with F-holes. Carved spruce top; carved black walnut back and black walnut sides. |
| Finish | Original nitrocellulose lacquer sunburst finish, with some oversperay around the neck heel. |
| Hardware/electronics | Gold Grover Sta-Tite tuners and Epiphone Frequensator tailpiece. The tailpiece has been repaired at some point. Rosewood adjustable bridge, bone nut. Original ‘firestripe’ pickguard and bracket. |
| Playability/Action | This guitar plays well, and is currently strung with light-guage phosphor bronze strings. |
| Case | Original case included. |
You can preview our videos now on Our YouTube Channel!
You can now Visit our Facebook page!
