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1945 Epiphone Deluxe
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Serial # 54109, blue New York label
Body size at lower bout: 17 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/2". Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck Depth: .86/1.06, 1st/10th frets
Materials: Bookmatched figured maple back; birdseye maple sides; solid bookmatched Adirondack spruce top; solid flame maple neck with 3-ply walnut/maple centerstripe; rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl "cloud" fingerboard inlay;"tree-of-life" mother-of-pearl peghead inlay, five-ply body binding, bound fingerboard and headstock.
Hardware: Original gold hardware includes 16x1 Epsilon-logo tuners, Pat. Pend. Frequensator tailpiece, compensated adjustable rosewood bridge, hex-key adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct bound tortoise pickguard.
Notes: Introduced in 1931 in the debut of the Epiphone archtop catalog, the Deluxe model was the top of the line in every respect. From the vine peghead inlay to the signature clouds in the fingerboard, the Deluxe represented a pinnacle of art-deco design, with power to burn on the bandstand.
This handsome instrument shows nicely figured fiddleback maple in the back and neck, with birdseye maple sides, and a solid, tap-tuned Adirondack spruce soundboard. At just 5lb 11oz. the guitar is notably light in weight, and powerfully resonant, with a soundboard graduated to exceptionally close tolerances. Not surprisingly, the instrument has huge acoustic projection, clarity and cutting power, with volume to burn.
The guitar has been maintained in fine shape, with remarkably light playwear overall. The original multi-ply binding is in excellent condition, and the vintage Pat. Pend. Frequensator tailpiece is solid at the bend. The formal dark sunburst finish is all original as well, with some normal age checking, and a pair of hairline cracks near the bass soundhole have been soundly resealed. Action is smooth and low over the comfy gentle C neck profile, with fine undented pro fretwork and a fresh high precision setup, over the original rosewood fingerboard, which shows a bit of typical wear.
Epi's premium 17" guitar, the Deluxe has always been one of our most sought-after models. A fine example of one of a legendary instrument from the Golden Age of the acoustic archtop guitar. And all nestled in its original Epsilon logo hardshell case. One only: call now.
Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; 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.
