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1932 Epiphone Triumph

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Serial #: 5034, gold "Art Instrument" label

Body size at lower bout: 15 3/8". Scale length: 25.4" Nut Width: 1 3/4"

Finish: Original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose type

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top, black walnut back and sides, solid maple neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, mother-of-pearl diamond fingerboard inlays; Masterbilt banner peghead inlay in pearl.

Hardware: Original nickel trapeze tailpiece, original nickel 3 on a plate tuners; vintage correct black bakelite teardrop pickguard, compensated rosewood adjustable bridge.

Notes: Not only is this example the oldest Triumph we have seen, it is in fact the earliest Epiphone archtop of any model we have found to date. Indeed, this guitar, with serial #5034, is earlier than any Epiphone archtop recorded in the Fisch and Fred registry, below, and may be one of the first three dozen Epi archtops ever made.

Serious Epi fans may be aware that the popular Triumph model was built in a 16" body size in the mid 1930's, before upsizing to the more familiar 17" guitars. But even the most hardcore collectors might be forgiven oversight of this debut version of Epi's best-selling guitar. This instrument is a rare example of the very first Triumph design, with a number of features seen only in Epis earliest years. The fingerboard inlay is composed of pearl diamonds in an alternating diagonal pattern. The peghead has the classic hand inscribed pearl banner and gold leaf engraving of the earliest Masterbilt instruments. And most remarkably, the body is built of black walnut, and measures just 15 3/8" across the lower bout.

The guitar shows the classic design features of the earliest Masterbilt Epis, including segmented 3 piece f-holes, asymmetrical headstock, 1 3/4" nut and 9" fingerboard radius. And unlike any Epi we've seen so far, some very slight variations in the contour of the upper bout suggest that it may have been handmade before the form for the model was standardized. This example guitar is in remarkable condition for an instrument of its vintage, without cracks, buckle or fingerboard wear, and its original sunburst finish, metal parts and binding intact. Some vigorous pick wear is present on the top, and a small piece of inlay is missing from the headstock logo.

A hard and decorative wood, walnut is usually seen only in the upscale Broadway model of the prewar era, and the voice is bright and clear with volume bigger guitars would envy. The neck is easy to play, with its well radiused 1 3/4" fingerboard, and the body cradles in the lap with surpassing ease. A historically and musically significant milestone in the history of the contemporary guitar

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as necessary; 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 hardshell case.

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