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1932 Epiphone Triumph Masterbilt

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Serial #: 5767, gold "Art Instrument" label

Body size at lower bout: 15 1/4" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Finish: Original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose type

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top, solid black walnut back and sides, solid mahogany neck with maple centerstripe, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, mother-of-pearl diamond fingerboard inlays; pearl Masterbilt script peghead inlay; bone nut.

Hardware: 100% original nickel hardware includes wrap-around trapeze tailpiece, open-back oval key tuners, compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge.

Notes: Introduced in 1931 in the first flight of Epiphone archtops, the Triumph was the firm's most popular professional sized orchestra guitar. This rare example is the very first version of the model, with a 15" black walnut body. Produced in this configuration for only two years, it shows the classic design features of the earliest Epis, including segmented 3 piece f-holes, Masterbilt headstock, and generous 9" fingerboard radius. Of particular note is the remarkably figured solid carved black walnut back and sides, a tonewood producing exceptional brilliance and projection, and only seen on these debut versions of the Triumph.

This gleaming guitar has been preserved in exceptionally fine condition, with all original sunburst finish, free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Topping it off is the original pickguard in gleaming black bakelite, original nickel trapeze tailpiece, original open back tuners, even the original fitted Epiphone deluxe hardshell case.

The ornately engraved Masterbilt peghead shows the engraved pearl three banner logo, and the tailpiece is the early wraparound trapeze, as seen on the L-5 models of the 20's. With its generous radiused fingerboard, and well aged soundboard, this sweet guitar is fun to play, with a big bright voice with clarity and projection far outmatching its size. Smooth low action, with a fresh high-precision setup over a solid, medium C profile neck. Binding is tight to the body, and apart from a pair of tightly resealed cracks near the bass soundhole, the guitar is in astoundingly pristine condition for an instrument of its considerable vintage.

One of the earliest, and certainly finest surviving specimens of this exceptionally rare model, this guitar is a rare opportunity to own a uniquely playable and historically important instrument from the dawn of the Epiphone Corporation, "Builders of Art Musical Instruments". One only: call now.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as required; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridgewheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original Epiphone deluxe arched plush lined hardshell case.