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1937 Epiphone Triumph
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Serial #: 11579, New York Masterbilt label
Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25 1/2". Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth: 1st/10th frets: .83/.99
Materials: Solid bookmatched Adirondack spruce top; solid hand carved bubble maple back; solid birdseye maple sides; solid maple neck with 3-ply walnut/maple centerstripe; rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl diamond inlays; "snowflake" pattern mother-of-pearl peghead inlay, bound fingerboard and headstock.
Hardware: Vintage correct style hardware includes 'compensating' trapeze tailpiece; open-back Grover tuners, compensated adjustable ebony bridge; bound firestripe tortoise pickguard.
Notes: In 1936, Epi debuted its redesigned pro series guitars with the upsized 17" body, larger f-holes, and a new streamlined script logo and inlay designs. These transitional models were produced for only a few years to 1939, making instruments of this vintage some of the scarcest examples of Epiphone's Golden Era.
This guitar from 1937 is a wonderful example, lovingly restored to original specifications, with a recent prewar style 'teacup' sunburst finish, and a handsome bound firestripe pickguard. Vintage correct style hardware has been fitted throughout, including an accurately recreated example of Epiphone's 'Compensating' trapeze tailpiece, a rare forerunner to the Frequensator, seen only briefly in the mid-30's.
The body shows handsome bubble figure maple in the back, with birdseye maple sides, and a soundboard of solid, hand-graduated Adirondack spruce. The peghead retains the humped headstock profile and snowflake inlay of the early 30's, but the body and f-holes are distinctly larger and more curvilinear than those of previous models. The neck is slimmer and faster than typical prewar guitars as well, with a gently veed profile that avoids the chunky feel common in instruments of the era.
In gleaming condition, the instrument is free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and has smooth, low action over fine recent fretwork and a fresh high precision setup. At a mere 5lb 6oz, the instrument is happily light in weight as well, with a brilliant, open voice; clear, ringing bass, and powerful projection.
With dramatic looks and a voice to match, this gleaming guitar is a rare find indeed, right down to its vintage Epiphone logo hardshell case. One only: 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.
