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1949 Epiphone Blackstone
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Serial #: 59648, blue New York label
Body size at lower bout: 16 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16"
Finish: Sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Solid carved Adirondack spruce top; arched figured maple back and sides; solid one piece mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlay; bound body and fingerboard, solid bone nut.
Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes Frequensator trapeze tailpiece, adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge; open-back tuners; hex-key adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct contoured tortoise pickguard.
Notes: The Blackstone was introduced in Epiphone's original archtop line of 1931, with a 14" body that was upsized to 15" in 1934. By 1936, the Blackstone took its final form with the 16" lower bout, and the center-dip headstock appeared in 1939. Epi's most popular 16" guitar, the Blackstone remained in the catalog continuously until 1949.
This outstanding example is one of the last ever made, with a solid carved bookmatched Adirondack spruce top, a highly figured arched tiger maple back, and a fingerboard and bridge of solid Brazilian rosewood. It's also fitted with a factory original Frequensator tailpiece, rather than the simple trapeze usually seen on this model. The long scale neck produces exceptional volume and projection, with brilliant cutting power. And all in a body size that sits smartly in the lap or on the strap.
Carefully maintained, the guitar shows little pick or buckle wear, and just a few scattered nicks in its all-original sunburst finish. The back of the neck is smooth from decades of play, a key to its outstanding voice: clear, open and brilliantly vibrant. The neck profile is contemporary and comfortable, with smooth low action, a fresh high-precision setup over original frets, and a hex-key adjustable truss rod under the fingerboard extension.
A vintage correct contoured bound tortoise pickguard is installed, a small bit of neck binding replaced, and a tiny finish crack is visible near the neck heel. A final plus is the original Epiphone hard shell case, complete with the epsilon logo under the lid. With it's huge, vibrant voice and comfy, compact body, this handsome and versatile guitar is a best buy in a true vintage New York Epi. 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-.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: Original brown deluxe Epiphone hard shell case, with padded tan lining.
