1935 Epiphone Zenith Sunburst

Offered for sale:

Vintage 1935 Epiphone Zenith serial number 8942.

This is an original Zenith, Epiphone has now revisited many of these early models.

This guitar is in very good condition, neck angle and frets are good. Cosmetically there are nicks and marks abounding, many marks are on the top, however there are marks and wear through on the back. There are three cracks in the arched top that have all been professionally repaired and cleated. A Fishman style passive piezo floating bridge style pickup has been installed.

This is a vintage instrument that is literally the definition of “relic” or patina.

The 1935 Epiphone Zenith acoustic archtop is a transitional version of the Zenith, featuring a 15 1/4" wide and 19 ½" long body (by 1936 it grew to 16 3/8 and 20 ¼ - see attached).

Back in ‘39 Epiphone said:

“The low price is not the result of skimping on either material or workmanship but rather the result of improved EPIPHONE production methods.

...utilizing hand carved spruce top with American walnut back and sides...and the scientific EPIPHONE adjustable thrust rod are standard equipment.

20 frets and genuine mother of pearl position markers are inlayed in select rosewood fingerboard”
[adjustable thrust rod? hmmm...]

The sound is loud and bright with a lot of the cutting power that old Epiphones are known for. But not really lacking very much in bass.

The top of the Masterbilt f-hole archtop range was the 16 3/8-inch-wide De Luxe, while the 13 5/8-inch-wide Zenith sat lower down the ranks near very popular 13-inch-wide Olympic model.

The Zenith originally featured a solid carved spruce top, maple back and sides, mahogany neck and a rosewood fingerboard; however, in 1934 the width increased to 14¾ inches (and then 15 ¼) and the back and sides changed to walnut, an unusual choice of tonewood that harked back to Orville Gibson’s earliest carved top/ back guitars and mandolins.

“We carefully inspect every instrument when we buy it and bring it up to our standards before we offer it for sale. We also do a full set up before we ship. If you decide to purchase this guitar, please let us know what gauge strings you prefer.”

Original hard-shell case included.

The evolution of the Epiphone Zenith

1931 Zenith released as part of Masterbilt range; 13 5/8 inches wide; maple back & sides
1933 Single bound top & back; black Bakelite pickguard; diagonal ‘Zenith’ engraved headstock
1934 14¾ inches wide (ours in 15 ¼); walnut back & sides; block-letter logo; 3-on-a-plate tuners
1936 16 3/8 inches wide; script logo; individual tuners
1939 Centre-dip headstock shape replaces rounded-peak type
1949 Maple back and sides, and blonde finish now available
1958 Production commences at Gibson’s Kalamazoo factory; 16 3/8 inches wide
1965 Available only as a special factory order
1969 Discontinued
*Please note: we do our best giving descriptions of used pieces. We have found it impossible to describe every mark on an instrument or amp that is not in the "mint" category. Also, what's important to you may not be important to someone else. For example, you may say, "I don't care what it looks like as long as it plays or sounds well." Another person may say, "Body cosmetics are very important to me so tell me about every scratch, nick and blemish." So, please ask the questions that are most important to you. If you ask they will be answered. They are free and there's no limit. Additional photos can also be made available.

This is a specific item that is also being offered for sale in our brick & mortar location. It is possible that it has just been sold. Please ask if it is still available before purchasing.

*It is our policy to require a signature on delivery of all musical instruments. Please let us know if you prefer no signature required when ordering or we will automatically require a signature.

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