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1948 Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe Cutaway
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Serial #: 85081, blue New York label
Body size at lower bout: 17 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/2". Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .80/.83"
Materials: Arched flame maple laminate body; solid maple neck with 3-ply walnut/maple centerstripe; mother-of-pearl peghead inlay and cloud fingerboard inlays; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with inlaid perimeter stripes, five-ply body binding, triple-bound headstock.
Hardware: Original gold Pat. Pend. Frequensator tailpiece; vintage Gibson P-90 single coil pickups and adjustable compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge; gold Grover Imperial tuners; Mastervoicer volume and tone controls; 3 way pickup selector switch; vintage correct triple-bound dark tortoise pickguard, with original guard included.
Notes: Introduced in 1948, the Zephyr Deluxe Cutaway (later Regent) was Epiphone's electric cutaway version of their legendary Deluxe model archtop. Epi's top-of-the line 17" electric, the model was the equivalent in price and prestige to its main competitor, the Gibson L-5CES. Featuring a deeper cutaway than its Gibson rival, the Zephyr Deluxe Regent increased upper fingerboard access by several frets over the cutaway L-5.
This rare first year example has been customized to the specs of the postwar Gibson ES-350, with twin vintage Gibson P-90 single coil pickups installed, along with a vintage Gibson compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge. This handsome version of the model, in blonde finish, sports the ornate peghead vine in gleaming mother of pearl, and the classic cloud inlays in the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.
This blonde beauty is crafted of lovely figured maple, on both body and neck. The full-depth laminate body is crack free, with superior structural stability, enhanced feedback resistance, and an extended Venetian cutaway for improved access to the uppermost fingerboard. The amber blonde finish is in gleaming condition, with original multi-ply body binding all tight to the body, excellent neck angle and bridge height, and the Pat. Pend. Frequensator tailpiece soundly brazed at the bend.
The action is smooth and low over a comfy C profile neck, with a fresh high-precision setup over fine pro fretwork. The classic P-90 pickups are clear and detailed, with classic bop era tone, and the original 'Mastervoicer' controls lift your tone from 'Soft' to 'Loud', and 'Mellow' to 'Brilliant'. Brilliant, indeed.
A player's player, this striking guitar offers gorgeous traditional looks with smooth bop era tone. She's ready to roll, right out of the case: one only, call now.
Case: Period black plush lined hard shell case.
Setup: The truss rod has been adjusted; bridge height set and strobe tuned; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridgewheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. This instrument is strung with medium gauge roundwound strings (.012-.052). 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.
