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1946 Epiphone Triumph
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial #: 55785
Body size at lower bout: 17 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16"
Finish: Original amber blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Handcarved solid Adirondack spruce top; solid handcarved maple back and sides; five-piece maple neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge; diamond-pattern fingerboard inlay and "fleur-de-lis" style peghead inlay, both in ambered enamel; triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock, original bone nut.
Hardware: 100% original hardware includes rosewood/maple bridge (serial number stamped on underside of bridge foot matches label number); original nickel-plated "E-logo" tuners and no-logo postwar Frequensator tailpiece; hex-key adjustable truss rod; bound fire-stripe tortoise pickguard.
Notes: An original New York Epiphone in outstanding condition, this instrument is powerful, bright and easy to play. The deep amber blonde finish is remarkably free of pick, buckle, or thumbwear, and the nickel hardware is all original with excellent plating. The enamel inlays and unstamped Frequensator tailpiece are seen only in this model year, which was the last for the graceful prewar "snowflake" peghead inlay. This is also one of the earliest Triumphs we've seen with a solid maple neck.
The solid quartersawn soundboard is carved of Adirondack spruce with exceptionally pronounced bearclaw figure splayed widely across the top. (And no, those aren't finish scratches, it's dramatic natural figure deep in the tonewood itself.) As used in the fabled prewar Martins, this strong light tonewood lends the instrument a notably powerful, brilliant voice. All binding and seams are tight to the body, and the tailpiece bend has been reinforced. The original pickguard is a rare and attractive example of classic fire-stripe celluloid, still solid, with just a small patch of crystallization. The top centerseam under the tailpiece has been soundly resealed, and a small surface crack on the back near the neck heel has been reglued. Action is smooth and low, with a fresh high-precision setup over a gentle, C profile neck, with a slight vee contour, very easy in the hand.
Our most popular Epi ever, and an outstanding value in a carefully maintained and warmly aged New York archtop from the golden era. 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; bridge wheels 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.
Case: Deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
