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1942 Epiphone Triumph
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Serial #: 18993, green New York label
Body size at lower bout: 17 3/8" Scale length: 25 1/2". Nut width: 1 11/16"
Finish: Sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Solid handcarved bookmatched spruce top; solid flame back and sides; five-piece cherry/walnut neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl inlay; ornate older "fleur de lis" style mother-of-pearl peghead inlay and diamond fingerboard inlays, bound body, fingerboard and headstock.
Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel Epiphone 16X1 epsilon logo tuners, nickel Frequensator tailpiece base, and rosewood/maple bridge. Correct contour 5 ply beveled black pickguard with Epiphone logo, Kent Armstrong floating 2D humbucking pickup, volume and tone controls on guard, endpin jack, antiqued chrome tailpiece tines.
Notes: The Epiphone Triumph was introduced in 1932. Upsized in 1936, the model became Epiphone's most popular full sized guitar until the company closed in the mid-50's. Though production all but ceased during the war years, a scant number of instruments eked their way out of the factory between 1942 and '44, and this blonde example is one of the lucky few. On these rare birds, it's not uncommon to see the sort of highly figured tonewood one associates with the top line Deluxe or Broadway models. Highlighted in the warm amber blonde finish is deeply flamed bubble maple of exceptional intensity.
This remarkable instrument has the big warm voice of 60 year old tonewood. Loud and punchy, this rhythm machine can hold its own against an entire horn section, with the bark and projection that comes only from years of vigorous play. The neck is comfy, with a light vee profile, with smooth low action over fresh pro fretwork and fingerboard binding. The original amber blonde finish shows fairly extensive pick and thumbwear, with a bit of finish wear on the back in the recurve near the rims. A few short grainline cracks on the back have been soundly resealed, along with a short crack in the side near the heel, and another by the bass soundhole. A true road warrior of the old school, this classic Epi is ready for the next chapter of its illustrious career.
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: Deluxe black plush hardshell case.
