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1946 Epiphone Emperor, Blonde

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Serial: #55602

Body size at lower bout: 18 1/2". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16"

Materials: Extravagantly figured bookmatched quilted maple back and sides; hand carved solid spruce top; 7-piece maple-walnut neck; 7-ply ivoroid body binding; triple-bound heel cap, neck binding, f-holes and head stock; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with "split-block" mother of pearl and abalone inlay; ornate pearl tree-of-life peghead inlay.

Hardware: 100% original gold hardware, including Frequensator tailpiece and Epsilon logo 16X1 tuners; original adjustable rosewood bridge with maple base, hex-key truss rod at fingerboard extension; original bound tortoise pickguard included, with additional vintage correct triple bound tortoise pickguard installed.

Notes: The arrival of an Emperor is always cause for celebration. And a sumptuous blonde with a blindlingly figured maple body really pops the cork.

The glory of the Epiphone line, the Emperor was the largest and most costly instrument produced in the New York factory. With its massive 18 1/2" lower bout, this top-of-the-line instrument is the largest production archtop made. Yet due to its slightly smaller upper bout, many players find the Emperor profile markedly easier to hold than the somewhat bulkier Super 400. The back and neck of this spectacular instrument are hand carved of magnificent deeply figured tiger maple, a spectacular complement to the intense fiddleback maple in the sides. The top is hand-graduated from solid quarter-sawn bookmatched spruce, and the neck profile is remarkably contemporary, sitting very comfortably in the palm. The original deep amber blonde finish has been preserved in astounding condition, without cracks, buckle or fingerboard wear. A few incidental lacquer dings and the imprint of a long removed DeArmond control box near the bridge are virtually the only traces of play in this babied New York guitar.

The voice is every bit as monumental as the appearance. The guitar has thundering acoustic volume with exceptionally warm lower and middle register and clear, brilliant highs. Massive projection and cutting power, with a warm, vibrant, buttery voice. The gold Frequensator tailpiece is in excellent conditon, the multi-ply binding is original and tight to the body, and the bridge is fabricated with a rosewood saddle and rock maple base, fitted only on Epis with the blonde finish. The fingerboard is illuminated with abalone of exceptionally vivid color, with excellent fretwork with smooth low action and a very comfy light vee neck profile. Completing the time-capsule package is the superb original French fit Epiphone hardshell case, with the plush epsilon logo in the case lid. An instrument of staggering beauty and stunning performance, this blonde beauty is the rarest of opportunities for the player and collector alike.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as required; 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; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

Case: Original deluxe Epiphone French fit epsilon logo plush hardshell case.