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1942 Epiphone Ritz
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Serial #: 18070, green New York label
Body size at lower bout: 15 13/8" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16"
Finish: Original blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Solid carved Adirondack spruce top; highly flamed arched maple back; solid one-piece cherry neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; pearl script peghead inlay, tortoise shell body binding, solid bone nut
Hardware: Original hardware includes Brazilian rosewood bridge with matching serial # stamped under foot, hex-key adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct contoured thick tortoise guard, older nickel open back tuners and art-deco trapeze tailpiece.
Notes: Its name synonymous with luxury, the Epiphone Ritz is among the rarest of the company's many offerings. This short-lived model was introduced in 1940, and appears to have been produced only through 1944, though it may have been cataloged as late as 1949. Distinctive in the product line, the Ritz was Epi's only archtop offered exclusively in blonde finish, a handsome contrast to its deep tortoise shell binding, a feature also unique among Epi models. Unlike the Gibson archtops of comparable size, the Ritz was built with a long scale neck and suspended fingerboard, both enhancing its acoustic projection, as well as enabling the installation of a floating pickup if desired.
Built during the very depth of the war, in one of the leanest production years of the century, this remarkable instrument has been preserved in almost miraculous condition. It's gleaming all-original natural finish appears virtually unplayed, and the guitar is without cracks, pick, thumb, buckle or fingerboard wear of any kind. The original rosewood bridge has the instrument serial number stamped in the underside of the foot, assuring its authenticity. A vintage correct contoured dark thick tortoise guard is installed, and the guitar is fitted with a rare and snazzy older art deco tailpiece. The solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard has smooth low action over fine original fretwork, with a gentle light C neck profile. The compact 15" body sits effortlessly under the arm, and is the same size as Epi's famed Olympic model.
The guitar has the bark of a true 40's Epi, bright and forward, with brilliant clarity, and lots of punch. As rare as it is eyecatching, this time-capsule instrument conjures the magic of Astaire and Rodgers, and the five star ambiance of one very snooty Picadilly hotel. It's the only example of this fleeting model we've found to date: don't be caught waiting for the next one.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as required; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted as required; 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 nickel 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 arched plushlined hardshell case.
