Epiphone Acoustic Guitars

1948  Epiphone TRIUMPH

Below, I am listing this beautiful Archtop, a 1948, Epiphone TRIUMPH, with exactly the tonal signature that you have a right to expect from a 62 year old acoustic instrument of this quality.  This particular Triumph was built with the legendary Handcarved Solid Adirondack Spruce Soundboard (top), the most sought after tonal wood since the 1920’s, and pretty much impossible to find after the late 40’s.  As you can see, when the soundboard woodgrain was beautiful enough, Epiphone (as well as Gibson and other manufacturers) would tend to offer them in the Natural (Blonde) finish.  The top will be the first thing that hits you when you open the case… she is truly beautiful.

Due to hard times and monetary reasons, I must sell off my vintage guitars.  In a musical context, the decision to sell these guitars is the hardest thing I have ever done.  You can see by my feedback that I am an honest, straight forward person.  Feel ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT that everything you read here and the High-Definition Photos are as accurate as is possible in order to accomplish full disclosure.

I have a smoke-free home and Studio and since the day I purchased this guitar, she has sat right here in her guitar-stand begging to be played.  It is instantly apparent from the first chord you play, that over many years the wood has opened the voice of this guitar.

To better serve you, I am copying the description listed by the original seller and have not altered his beautiful, eloquent, accurate description in any way.  EVERY single solitary word in his description was, and remains to be ABSOLUTELY true…ABSOLUTELY.  I received exactly the guitar that he describes below and she plays like a dream…low and smooth, EXACTLY as depicted.  You will receive the same…

I will NOT except “INTERNATIONAL  BIDS”.  That includes Canada and Mexico.

1948  Epiphone TRIUMPH

SERIAL NUMBER # 57364

Bode Size at Lower Bout:  17 3/8 “ ;  Scale Length:  25 ½ “;  Nut Width:  1  11/16” 

FINISH:   Original blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type

MATERIALS:  Handcarved solid Adirondack Spruce top; Solid Handcarved Maple Back and Sides; Five Piece Maple Neck; Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard; Split-Diamond pattern Abalone Fingerboard Inlay and “Column” style Peghead inlay; Triple-Bound Body, Bound Fingerboard and Headstock; Bone Nut.

HARDWARE:   Original Nickel Plated “E-Logo” Tuners; Original Bound Leopard Tortoise Shell Pickguard; Original Nickel Plated “Frequensator Tail Piece; Hex-Key Adjustable Truss Rod; Compensated Adjustable Rosewood bridge.

Floating Kent Armstrong Pickup (Value plus Installation $400.00) I believe the Kent Armstrong Pickup Models to be the finest jazz guitar pickups obtainable. Please note that all of Kent’s pickups are individually handwound in his Vermont workshop, and should not be confused with the mass-produced Asian models imported under the Armstrong name. All Armstrong pickups are fabricated with genuine Alnico V magnets for superior vintage style performance.

Made to go where no pickup has gone before, this pickup is specially designed for older guitars where neck angle and bridge height make full-size pickups unworkable.  Volume control is attached with adhesive so as to not damage the original Tortoise Shell Pickguard, and is positioned very discretely under the lower edge of pickguard. 

NOTES:  The Epiphone Triumph was introduced in 1932, becoming Epi's most popular pro-sized guitar until the company closed in the 50's.  Designed in the height of the Big-Band Era, the Epiphone Triumph has always been the favorite for players wanting maximum bang for the buck.  Built with the Same Materials, Scale Length and Body Design as the upscale Broadway and Deluxe Models, the Triumph delivers ALL the sound and feel of the most costly guitars in the line at a fraction of the cost.

With tall, freshly installed frets and a fine high bridge, the instrument delivers a wonderfully powerful bark with exceptional clarity.  The widely spaced walnut stripe neck is a very rare design, seen only briefly in the late postwar era.  The Original Nickel-Plated “Epsilon” Logo 16x1 Tuners are smooth and precise, and the Frequensator Tail-Piece is in excellent condition.  The Original Blonde finish is Deeply Ambered and is Remarkably Free from Pick, Buckle and Fingerboard wear, with just a few, small scattered lacquer dings on the body.  The Bridge height has been restored to new specs with a recent neck set giving this guitar Tremendous Headroom in Volume.

Best of all, the soundboard is carved of Solid Quartersawn Bookmatched Adirondack Spruce, the legendary tonewood of the pre-war era.  With it’s Huge Voice, a fine contemporary neck profile and smooth low action, this great player is an unbeatable combination of Tone, Playability and Value

SETUP:  The Frets have been precision leveled, re-crowned and polished; Trussrod tension and neck relief examined with No Adjustment necessary; Bridge Compensation examined for proper intonation with no adjustment required,  String slots at Nut and Bridge inspected and recut as necessary; Bridge Foot contour inspected and fit to top is excellent, Bridge Wheels and Tuners lubricated; Fingerboard and Bridge Oiled; Body and Neck Cleaned and Polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge Nickel Plated Strings (0.13 – 0.57).  The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference.  String action is set to 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 Epiphone Hardshell Case

I have done my very best to accurately depict this guitar EXACTLY as she is.  All photos were taken in good light and taken in HIGH-DEFINITION.  Should you need any additional photos, please do not hesitate to ask.

As a last NOTE… I can absolutely promise you that my Reserve is lower than it should be !!!.

I am not trying to make any money on the guitar.  Therefore, I am offering it at a “BUY IT NOW” Price of . $2,950.00, which is exactly what I paid for her three years ago, before adding the Kent Armstrong Floating Pick Up (Value $400.00 / including installation).  If you are not satisfied, you must contact me within 48 hours of receivership.  I will be more than happy to refund your payment.  Buyer must pay return shipping via UPS or FED-X (Both Trackable) and MUST include FULL insurance coverage for the instrument.  That said, Serious Bidders,  Please.

To INSURE that you get what you paid for, I am going to have the TRIUMPH, in its Hardshell Case, professionally packed by UPS.  But, prior to closing the lid, I am going to have each and every one of the photos shown in this listing, signed by the manager of the UPS Store as he and I go through them one by one, identifying the condition of this TRIUMPH (Serial Number #57364) and verifying that she is as depicted.  I will then place your signed copies inside the case with the guitar for your review.  Then and only then will the Guitar be safely packaged and shipped.

MY GUARANTEE:  IT IS AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN !!!

If you are not satisfied with the guitar, you MUST notify me within 48 hours of receiving

If you are not happy, you will receive a Money Back Guarantee, NO Questions asked, less the shipping and Insurance…. ….. NO Questions…. Less the shipping charges and Insurance…..Period !!!

You will get this TRIUMPH, in this condition, EXACTLY as described…PERIOD !!!