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1934 Epiphone Royal

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Serial #: 7589, Long Island label

Body size at lower bout: 15 1/2". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .87/1.02

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top, solid mahogany neck, arched black walnut back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, mother-of-pearl headstock and fingerboard inlays.

Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel trapeze tailpiece, nickel open-back three-on-a-plate tuners, compensated adjustable rosewood bridge. Prewar style grained ivoroid pickguard.

Notes: Introduced in 1931, the Royal is one of the rarest and shortest lived Epiphone archtops. Positioned between the popular Triumph and Blackstone models, the Royal appears in the 1932 Epiphone catalog, but was discontinued by 1934. With its serial number of 7589, this distinctive guitar appears to be from the very last batch. It is the second to last example of the model documented to date, and by any standard must be one of the very finest surviving examples of this vanishly scarce model.

This rare bird shows design features of the earliest Epis, including segmented 3 piece f-holes, rounded headstock, 1 3/4" nut and the widely tapered fingerboard. Of particular note are the back and sides of arched black walnut, a departure from the earlier mahogany bodied models. And the block inlay logo and snowflake peghead inlay are seen on only the very last Royals to roll off the line.

This fine example has been maintained in wonderful condition, with all original finish and hardware, and the addition of a correct prewar style pickguard of handsome grained ivoroid. Even the original fitted Epiphone deluxe hardshell case remains in solid condition.

With its generous 1 3/4" fingerboard, and well aged soundboard, this bandstand veteran has a wonderfully open voice, as evidenced by the pro-quality thumbwear on the back of the neck. Neck angle and bridge height are both excellent, and the guitar has smooth low action over fine original fretwork. A small divot at the treble soundhole may be the footprint of a older pickup control, and otherwise the guitar shows no modifications over its long career.

Handsome and historic, this vibrant guitar is poised at the sunset of one of Epi's most intriguing models. Don't wait for another: it could take awhile. Call now.

Setup: 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 4/64" to 5/64" 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.