1970s Epiphone FT-160N 12-String Dreadnought Guitar

I've worked on two of this same 12-string model, now, and three of the normal 6-string version of this Japanese-made Epiphone guitar design. Because of that, I let my right-hand-guy Ancel take care of the work on this one and he did a great job on it.

These are fairly basic all-ply, x-braced, decent-sounding dreadnought boxes that you find throughout the '70s import guitar mayhem period. What sets them apart is the Fender-style, bolt-on neck joint design. Sometimes, if they're mistreated, these become a weakness and the guitars are a little unstable, but this one has been kept safe and happy and it's quite stable and in good order. The bolt-on design means action adjustment is easy as the guitar ages and also that fret access right to the body is excellent.

This got strung-up nice and light so it makes a good "Tom Petty-style" strummer and it has a nice, even, jangly sound to it. It also has the bonus of an old Barcus Berry (I believe) acoustic pickup extant in the body that actually sounds quite good through an amp (listen in later in the demo video).

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, replacement rosewood (fully compensated) saddle, replacement truss rod cover, bridge modifications (string ramping to allow for good back-angle at all times), cleaning, and setup.

Weight: 5 lbs 9 oz

Scale length: 25 1/2"

Nut width: 1 3/4"

Neck shape: medium C/D

Board radius: 12"

Body width: 15 3/4"

Body depth: 4 7/8"

Top wood: ply spruce

Back & sides wood: ply mahogany

Bracing type: x

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: hair-under3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 22w/46w, 15/36w, 11/26w, 8/20w, 13/13, 10/10

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium/smaller-low

Condition notes: the truss rod cover, saddle, and some of the bridge pins are replacements but it's otherwise original. It has medium usewear in evidence throughout -- small scratches, nicks, and dings here and there -- but overall it looks good.

It comes with: a gigbag.