1935 Epiphone Zenith Carved-Top Archtop Guitar

Overview: Heart be still! Right? These old '30s Epis are the bee's knees as far as cool-factor goes. This one has been worked-on by my friend Dave Richard over in Corinth, VT and it's a tip-top player and completely done-up.

The 00-size body and curvy outline are a huge draw to this instrument for myself. I like a comfy, littler guitar these days and when you're talking archtops, mostly the necessity with them is that they're loud, punchy, and cutting -- all of which this one can be described as. It doesn't have the "width" of sound on the low E that you'll get with a bigger or later-era Epiphone, but it's plenty fiery and saucy.

Repairs included: Dave gave it a neck reset, board plane and refret, repaired the original tailpiece, fit new binding throughout the body, fit new StewMac Golden AGe tuners, fit a new heelcap, and made a brand-new pickguard for it. It looks slick. It's playing spot-on and is ready to serve.

• Weight: 4 lbs 9 oz
• Scale length: 25 1/2"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: medium-bigger V
• Board radius: 15"
• Depth at first fret: 0.91"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.98"
• Body width: 14 3/4"
• Body depth: 3 1/2"
• Top wood: solid carved spruce
• Back & sides wood: ply walnut
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: adjustable rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: 2-piece mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium modern

Condition notes: There's mild-medium wear throughout the finish (light weather-check throughout included) but overall it looks excellent. As noted, the binding and pickguard are replacements and the tuners are, too. The tailpiece has been repaired at the hanger.

It comes with: It has a period, vintage, excellent-condition, Lifton hard case.

Consignor tag: DRCH