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1947 Epiphone Deluxe, Blonde
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Serial # 56330, Blue NY label
Body size at lower bout:17 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/2". Nut width: 1 11/16"
Finish: Amber blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Solid handcarved tiger-flame figured maple back; birdseye maple sides; solid bookmatched handcarved spruce top; solid flame maple neck with 3-ply walnut/maple centerstripe; mother of pearl "cloud" style fingerboard inlay; fancy vine style mother-of-pearl peghead inlay, five-ply body binding, bound fingerboard, f-holes and headstock.
Hardware: 100% original hardware includes original gold-plated Frequensator tailpiece and "E-logo" tuners; hex-key adjustable truss rod; original adjustable compsensated Brazilian rosewood bridge; triple bound tiger stripe tortoise pickguard.
Notes: The arrival of a classic Epiphone Deluxe is always cause for celebration here. And when she's a blonde with flame to burn, it's really time to pull the cork.
The Epiphone Deluxe was introduced as the company's top-of-the line model in 1931, and upsized to 17" late in 1935. The direct competitor with Gibson's L-5, the Deluxe sold for the same price, though more ornate and typically louder and somewhat brighter in tone. With its tremendous cutting power, the Deluxe was a perennial favorite of big band guitarists who had to face down an entire horn section without an amp. Though cataloged through 1955, few examples are seen after 1951. Guitars with the natural blonde finish are a small fraction of total production, and were typically carved from the most highly figured tonewood, as this instrument amply demonstrates.
This one has it all: the 3-D tiger flame in the back, the birdseye maple sides, the clouds, the vine. All original hardware including the tiger stripe guard, and a simply gorgeous original amber blonde finish. The board is straight, the neck's just right, and the voice is as big as all outdoors. Excellent bridge height and fresh recent frets give this big band veteran headroom to burn. At a mere 5lb. 8 oz. this blonde beauty is at least a full pound lighter than most L-5's of it's vintage, and it's a difference you can hear loud and clear. This example has been kept in superb original condition, free of cracks or fingerboard wear, and shows only light incidental pick, thumb or bucklewear. All binding is original and tight to the body, the Frequensator tailpiece is in excellent condition, and the footprint of small strap holder remains faintly visible on the back of the headstock. A perennial favorite, the Epiphone Deluxe is substantially scarcer than its Gibson counterpart, and that goes double for the blondes. It's been quite awhile since our last one of these beauties. If you've been looking for the right one, 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-.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 plush Epiphone hardshell case.
