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1938 Epiphone Broadway
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Serial #: 13176, Masterbilt Epiphone label
Body size at lower bout: 17 3/8", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Finish: Dark sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Hand carved solid spruce top; figured bookmatched black walnut back and sides; 5 piece laminated mahogany neck with maple centerstripes; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlay; abalone vine pattern peghead inlay in bound headstock, triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock.
Hardware: Original gold hardware includes Grover Sta-Tite open-back butterbean tuners, and adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge. Vintage correct bound tortoiseshell pickguard, gold Pat. Pend Frequensator-stamped tailpiece.
Notes: Alone among major builders, the Epiphone Company produced it's upscale Broadway model with back and sides of solid black walnut, between 1931 and 1939, The result was a guitar with unusually attractive looks, but more. The voice of these guitars is absolutely unique among acoustic jazz guitars. The hard, thin walnut back and sides produce a tone that is distinctly more brilliant than ordinary maple bodies. The mids and highs have exceptional projection and a brilliant bell-like tone, making these guitars particularly well suited for acoustic lead guitar. The cutting power on these instruments is simply phenomenal, rivaling that of a resophonic guitar, but with the warmth and sustain of finely aged wood.
Needless to say, we're always on the hunt for these amazing walnut cannons. Upsized from the 16" body of the early 30's, this 17" version of the walnut Broadway was produced for only three short years, between 1936 and 1939. Delicate, cello-shaped f-holes made their debut in this variant, replacing the segmented holes of earlier models. The vine headstock inlay and block fingerboard markers in mother-of-pearl lend the guitar a look of understated elegance. The neck profile on Epis of this era is particularly noteworthy. Slim and contemporary, they are notably free of the clubbiness found in many prewar necks,
Perhaps the finest prewar example we've found to date, this instrument is without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and shows no apparent cracks or repairs. Unusual for this vintage is the generous 1 3/4" fingerboard, wide and inviting like the Masterbilt Epis of the early 30's. It also is fitted with one of the earliest Epiphone adjustable truss rods, with the square nipple under the end of the fingerboard.
The original dark sunburst finish is protected beneath a light clear overspray, the original multiply binding is all tight to the body, and a sturdy replacement gold Frequensator tailpiece is in perfect condition. The slim light vee profile neck has fine original fretwork with smooth low action, and the voice is powerful and balanced throughout the entire range: a true acoustic cannon.
A remarkable example of a rare, highly playable, and exceptionally attractive instrument from Epiphone's greatest era. One only: call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision levelled, recrowned and polished; 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-.057). 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: Deluxe black plush lined arched hardshell case.
