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1934 Epiphone Triumph Masterbilt
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Serial#: 7626, Long Island Masterbilt label
Body size at lower bout: 16 1/2". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Neck depth: .85/1.05
Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top, mahogany neck with 3 piece centerstripe, arched bubble maple back, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, variegated diamond mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlays; "snowflake" peghead inlay; bound fingerboard and body.
Hardware: Original nickel trapeze tailpiece, original black bakelite teardrop pickguard and bracket. Vintage correct Gotoh Sta-Tite style 16:1 butterbean tuners, compensated adjustable rosewood bridge.
Notes: Introduced in 1931, the Epiphone Triumph was the firm's most popular professional series guitar. Originally built with a 15" body, the guitar was upsized to 16" in 1933, and by the following year, the floral fingerboard inlays appeared, a predecessor to the Triumph's later signature diamond inlay. This rare transitional model was only built for a little more than a year, before the body shape, soundholes, and peghead of the Triumph were redesigned in 1935.
This handsome guitar would be one of the last to retain features of the earliest Epiphone archtops, including the segmented three-piece soundholes, teardrop Bakelite pickguard, and generous 1 3/4" nut. The inlays mark the first appearance of the classic Triumph 'diamond' fingerboard inlay, interspersed with the older more floral design, and the headstock is graced with the classic 'snowflake' motif, with the rare block Epiphone headstock logo, seen only in this model year.
At a phenomenal 4lb 13oz, the guitar is exceptionally light in weight, acoustically vibrant, and nimbly balanced on the lap or the strap. The back shows particularly striking bubble maple figure, rare to see in any Epi archtop. Maintained in fine condition, the instrument is free of cracks, pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, with all binding tight to the body. The top retains its original semi-transparent sunburst finish, with some scattered finish nicks, and some string wear on the peghead. Some clear true nitro lacquer overspray has been added to the back and sides, which show no playwear to speak of.
Action is smooth and low over a fresh high procision setup, on a gently rounded C profile neck, with a comfy 10' radius in the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. With a sparkling clear voice, the guitar has plenty of punch, and a nice open ring; the sound of old, dry wood in top condition, with volume to burn. Playability is enhanced with the aged nickel Gotoh Sta-Tite style butterbean tuners, with rock solid 16:1 gearing, our favorite vintage style tuners.
Equipped with its original brown Epiphone plush lined hardshell case, this rare find is an appealing version of Epi's most popular professional grade archtop. One only, call now.
