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1959 Epiphone Triumph A-412
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Serial #: A-1917
Body size at lower bout: 17 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/2" Width at nut: 1 9/16"
Finish: Original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Solid handcarved spruce top; arched flame maple back and sides; solid mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl inlay; compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, pearl peghead inlay, three-ply body binding, bound peghead; bone nut.
Hardware: 100% original nickel hardware includes New York style Frequensator tailpiece and pickguard bracket; adjustable truss rod; single ring Kluson Deluxe tuners; bound tortoise pickguard.
Notes: Introduced in 1932, the Triumph was the Epiphone company's best selling professional sized guitar. The cutaway version, dubbed Triumph Regent, made its debut in 1949, and was offered until the firm ceased production in 1956. Gibson purchased the Epiphone company the following year, and by 1959 had revived the model, building them on the same factory line as the L-5 and other pro-series Gibson archtops. The Gibson/Epi Triumph was given the model number A-412, and comparably priced to the Gibson L-7C. With its slightly larger body and deeper cutaway, the Triumph offered an attractive alternative to the serious guitarist.
One of a mere 29 Triumphs produced by Gibson that first year, this guitar is the earliest we've found, and shows some remarkable transitional features. Gibson had acquired a small quantity of old-stock parts and bodies from Epiphone, which were quickly expended in the initial production. The presence of solid kerfing inside the body would indicate that it was actually fabricated by Epi, and the headstock contour, fat script logo, long tail Frequensator and pointed pickguard are all old Epiphone stock. The Kluson tuners, compensated bridge and sunburst finish are clearly Gibson style however, and suggest that the instrument was delivered unfinished, and completed in Kalamazoo.
This gleaming example has been preserved in virtually showroom condition. All hardware and finish are original, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard retains its fine original medium fretwork. Apart from a few wisps of normal checking, the guitar looks much as it did when it left Kalamazoo over half a century ago. The arched maple back body shows glorious flame figure, and the deep Epiphone cutaway (2 frets more than L-5C) allows unrestricted access to the uppermost reaches of the fingerboard. The neck has a sleek, elegant D profile, and rides effortlessly in the hand. The voice is clear and bright, with excellent projection, and the depth of tone only decades of seasoning can convey. And all contained in its handsome original hardshell case, yet another legacy from the old Epiphone factory
A spectacular find, and one of the most intriguing instruments Gibson ever produced. One only: call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; 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 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 deluxe arched Epiphone plush lined hardshell case.
