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1946 Epiphone Blackstone
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Serial #: 55242, blue New York label
Body size at lower bout: 16 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .89/1.03
Materials: Hand carved solid spruce top; arched figured maple back and sides; solid one piece maple neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlay; bound body and fingerboard.
Hardware: All original hardware including original maple and rosewood bridge with serial # stamped in foot; original nickel open-back tuners; original nickel trapeze tailpiece; original tortoise pickguard; original bone nut; hex-key adjustable truss rod. Period DeArmond FHC floating pickup installed, with thumbwheel volume and tone controls on pickguard, and 1/4" endpin jack.
Notes: The Blackstone was introduced in Epi's original archtop line of 1931, with a 14 3/4" body that was upsized to 15 1/2" in 1934. By 1936, the Blackstone took its final form with the 16 3/8" lower bout, and the center-dip headstock appeared in 1939. Examples in natural finish sold at a premium, and are much scarcer than their sunburst counterparts, typically featuring highly figured tonewoods in the body.
This handsome example shows a dramatically flamed tiger maple back, and a solid carved Adirondack red spruce top. The hardware is 100% original, with the serial number stamped on the underside of the bridge foot, and all factory nickel hardware and pickguard. The 16" body is notably comfy and well balanced, and at just 5lb 6oz, the guitar is exceptionally light in weight as well.
This example is in fine condition, with a gorgeous deeply ambered original blonde finish. A small chip of veneer has been replaced on the back near the tailblock, and a pair of cracks near the tailpiece soundly resealed. The neck and fingerboard are straight and true, with fine pro fretwork, and smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup.
The neck profile is a comfy gentle C, with a fully adjustable truss rod. The long scale neck produces exceptional volume and projection, in a body size that sits very comfortably on the lap or the strap. A special plus is the vintage DeArmond FHC floating pickup, for matchless period tone through the amp.
A rare and lustrous example of one of Epi's most popular models. 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; 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-.056.) 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.
Case: Arched tweed plushlined hardshell case.
