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1951 Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe, 'L-5 Custom'
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Serial #: 61685, 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: .84/.95
Materials: Solid carved Sitka spruce soundboard, tiger flame maple laminate back, sides and neck, mother-of-pearl vine peghead inlay, solid ebony fingerboard with block fingerboard inlays; deluxe seven-ply body binding, five ply bound fingerboard, triple bound headstock.
Hardware: All gold hardware includes original gold Epi epsilon logo 16:1 tuners and Pat. Pending Frequensator tailpiece. Gibson 60's vintage Pat. Sticker humbucking pickup, vintage correct triple-bound dark tortoise pickguard with volume and tone controls, 1/4" endpin jack, adjustable compensated rosewood bridge.
Notes: Like every guitar player, every guitar has a story. But few have a tale more fascinating than this unique custom creation.
Introduced in 1941, the Zephyr Deluxe was Epiphone's electric version of their renowned Deluxe model archtop. Epi's top-of-the line 17" electric at the time, the model was the equivalent in price and prestige to its main competitor, the Gibson ES-250.
This intriguing example left the New York factory in 1951, and is graced with a curly maple body and neck simply staggering in its depth and luminosity. But there's more. Sometime in the '60s, the guitar was evidently sent to Gibson to have its laminate top replaced with an L-5 style parallel braced soundboard of solid, carved Sitka spruce, right down to the shape and binding of the soundholes. For good measure, the craftsmen at Kalamazoo installed a solid ebony L-5 fingerboard as well, complete with the traditional block inlays and pointed finial. And beneath the new fingerboard, a Gibson era Epiphone Deluxe neck was fitted, complete with the ornate vine inlay and adjustable truss rod in the peghead. Finally, a gold Gibson Pat. Sticker humbucking pickup was installed, before this stunning custom creation left the factory.
Lovingly maintained, the guitar is notably free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and shows only a few scattered wisps of lacquer checking, and a few incidental finish nicks in its gorgeous deep amber lacquer finish. The full-depth laminate body is crack free, with superior structural stability and enhanced feedback resistance. All binding is tight to the body as well, and the guitar shows excellent neck angle and bridge height, with ample adjustment clearance.
A standout in appearance, the guitar shows exceptionally handsome flame maple in the back, sides and neck, and remains fitted with its original gold 16:1 Epi logo tuners and Pat. Pending Frequensator tailpiece. The action is smooth and low, with fine Gibson factory fretwork over a comfy C profile neck, and a fresh high-precision setup. The Gibson Pat. Sticker humbucker is warm and rich, and controlled by volume and tone pots mounted to the vintage Epi style bound tortoise pickguard. A 1/4" endpin jack is installed as well, replacing an older side mounted jack, neatly filled at the factory as well.
An ornate and highly distinctive guitar, and a classic bop era jazzer, complete with its original black Epiphone logo plush lined hardshell case. A unique creation and an exceptional find, in spectacular condition: one only, call now.
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 nickel roundwound strings. 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.
