Epiphone FT-45 1944

Bargain bargain bargain! of the year is this wonderful and rare 1944 Epiphone FT-45. With its slightly smaller (14-3/4” across) body and its walnut (!) back and sides, it has tonal qualities like no other steel-string guitar of the modern era from any major maker. The neck, which has the same warm dark finish as the back and sides, is of cherry (!!!) with rosewood fingerboard, as described in the original 1942 Epiphone catalog. The scale length is a tad short of 25-1/2”, same as on a Martin OM, what we’d call the traditional “long” scale, and that gives it a lot of its punch. The overall sound is big and clear yet warm at the same time, like no other I’ve played. There has been an older minor closure to the top’s center seam, one other older repaired top crack nearly impossible to find, and some sort of oddity just below the bridge and a coat of lacquer added to the top only and all is 100% solid and tight as thoroughly checked out by us. Tuning machines have been upgraded to Grover Rotomatics. Overall, one heck of a unique (I’m tempted to say very unique) wartime, steel-string guitar made right here in NYC. Yep, the original Epiphone factory was just a few blocks from here back when Manhattan real estate wasn't a zillion $ per foot. Amazing. You will not find another as comforting as this one. $2495 w/gig bag