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1933 Epiphone Blackstone

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Serial #: 6799, gold "Art Instrument" label

Body size at lower bout: 14 3/4". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 3/4"

Finish: Original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose type

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

Hardware: 100% original hardware includes unbound bakelite pickguard; nickel trapeze tailpiece; nickel 3-on-a-plate tuners and adjustable rosewood bridge.

Notes: The Epiphone Blackstone was cataloged as early as 1931, but this example from 1933 is the earliest specimen we've seen. A rare example of the very first Blackstone design, the body is 14 7/8" at the lower bout, and the fingerboard has a unique double inlay at the seventh fret. The peghead has the classic hand inscribed banners and gold leaf engraving of the earliest Epis, as well as the segmented 3 piece f-holes, asymmetrical headstock, 1 3/4" nut, 9" fingerboard radius, and pearlescent fingerboard binding all features of the earliest Masterbilt guitars.

The guitar is in astounding pristine condition, with all its original hardware and binding in perfect shape. The original olive sunburst finish is without pick, buckle or thumbwear, and the neck still shows it's original frets in fine condition, without divots in the fretboard. 100% original hardware includes the nickel trapeze tailpiece, Grover Stat-Tite tuners, adjustable rosewood bridge and original bakelite pickguard.

The neck is easy to play, with its radiused 1 3/4" fingerboard, and the voice is bright and clear with volume bigger guitars would envy. Best of all, it cradles in the lap with surpassing ease; an outstanding example of one of the rarest Epis ever.

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: Deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.

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