Epiphone RA-255 ?

phil.guitarnut · #1 02-06-2010, 04:42 AM

Hey gang, first post for me...

I am looking to get a decent Jazz box for the USD equivalent of under $1400
I went to a vintage arch top store in Auckland (where I live) and played this beautiful 1970's semi-acoustic Epiphone guitar he's selling for the equivalent of USD$1330. The seller wrote down "RA 255" as the guitar model on a piece of paper, I've been looking for reviews or quotes about the model, checked out Epiphone Archives ----> Vintage Guitars Info - Epiphone vintage guitar collecting general info and this model is unheard of. Did the seller make a mistake in the model number or is this just an extremely rare guitar ? The guitar had 2 PU's, 4 pots, bolt-on neck, beautiful neck btw, thinner than most semi-acoustics, just like I like it

Awesome clean tone and sounded grunty on over-drive, playability was great.
Does anyone have any idea what this guitar is ? And what it's worth ? I just don't want to get ripped off... The guitar sounded decent and versatile, and felt nice under my hands, except for an OK/average access to really high frets (20,21,22)... Seller claimed it's a rare guitar, hard to get a hold of. If anyone could help me out would be great. Thanks for any comments.

Cheers,

Phil

Doctor Jeff · #2 02-06-2010, 11:47 AM

A picture is always worth a thousand words, but a little googling comes up with this reference to an "ET 255"--Japanese-made double-cutaway hollow body (like Casino or Riviera):

Epiphone 5102T / EA-250 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also this:

Epiphone EA-250 or EA-255 - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

It may be rather rare, but I don't know about highly collectible. A similar model is on Ebay right now for $450 w/ a Bigsby. I would imagine the bolt-on neck and Japanese origin have a very negative effect on collectibility.

http://cgi.ebay.com/EPIPHONE-ELECTRI...item45eff6790c

randyc · #3 02-06-2010, 01:10 PM

I concur with DJ - anything with a bolt-on neck probably isn't worth that kind of money (excluding some older Fenders valued for collectibility rather than real worth). Unhappily the archtop market in New Zealand is a mystery to most of us, I think that the availability of jazz guitars may be higher in Australia, if a mail order/internet purchase can be considered. In the U.S. $1400 would get you a very nice guitar; that's exactly what I paid for this Heritage H-575 several months back:

Best wishes and good luck with your search -

phil.guitarnut · #4 02-06-2010, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the feedback, this calls for a bit of negotiation.
I'll try to upload a picture when I get one.
Decent vintage Jazz Boxes are gonna be around NZD$4000, $5000 (eg Gibson ES) which is about USD $2,756.40, $3,445.50
The guitar I played looked nicer than the links provided and didn't have a tremolo... I will post some photos asap.

randyc · #5 02-06-2010, 04:30 PM

Those prices sound fair to me - but you can do better if used Guilds, Heritages are available. Don't get me wrong, I love Gibsons, own six or seven, but they tend to be pricey compared to other brands.

phil.guitarnut · #6 02-06-2010, 05:05 PM

How much would you think a Japanese 70's Epiphone with bolt on neck is worth approximately ? It's a beautiful gat, but I can get the Ibanez PM35 for roundabout the same price if not cheaper...

randyc · #7 02-06-2010, 05:27 PM

Perhaps $200 - $400 U.S. - just an opinion, mind you, my instruments are U.S. made and I'm much more aware of their value than the values of Asian guitars. As DJ mentioned above, there is a similar instrument with Bigsby going for $450 on Ebay. You may also take a look on gbase.com and see if you can find a similar instrument, if so, pricing is usually posted there.

In general, excepting certain Japanese instruments made during a certain era, these guitars don't appreciate. My guess is that original sell price was perhaps $400 - it's hard to imagine that a bolt-on neck hollow body guitar would appreciate beyond that. Who knows though, you may have stumbled on some rarity. I doubt it though, bolt-on necks on an archtop ... it's just not done (if it was a good idea, everyone would be doing it rather than the more costly set-neck process).

cheers,
randyc

phil.guitarnut · #8 02-08-2010, 05:28 AM

Thanks for the help guys, turns out the guitar is the EA-255 which is rare, but sold at $600... I think I'm just going to go for the Ibanez PM-35 which seems like a decent jazz box for a good price.

derek · #9 02-08-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil.guitarnut

Thanks for the help guys, turns out the guitar is the EA-255 which is rare, but sold at $600... I think I'm just going to go for the Ibanez PM-35 which seems like a decent jazz box for a good price.

I am with Randy on this. I am not sure I would have paid any price for that guitar. Buying a bolt neck archtop sounds like an invitation for constant repair/intonation issues. There is a very good reason why it is a rare guitar. It was a lousy design idea.

You are better off witht he Ibanez imo. Good luck

phil.guitarnut · #10 02-08-2010, 02:47 PM

actually it wasn't an archtop. It was semi hollow, Gibson ES style. I'll upload pics sometime

phil.guitarnut · #11 02-08-2010, 03:14 PM

Pictures

derek · #12 02-08-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil.guitarnut

Pictures

Okay, wow thanks for the pics. Never seen one before. If nothing else, it would be a conversation piece.

phil.guitarnut · #13 02-08-2010, 07:42 PM

It's official, getting a brand new Ibanez PM-35 shipped from Vegas for $789 including shipping insurance. Should get it within a week !
Sweeeet :P

derek · #14 02-09-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil.guitarnut

It's official, getting a brand new Ibanez PM-35 shipped from Vegas for $789 including shipping insurance. Should get it within a week !
Sweeeet :P

Congrats. Be sure and post a review after you have had it for a few weeks.

Meggy · #15 02-09-2010, 12:40 PM

I think the PM35 was definitely the way to go, excellent choice! Personally I'm put off those early 70's Japanese Epiphone semis - because I was once the owner of an EA250. IMO it was a piece of c%$£, to be blunt. I now occasionally see these advertised as having "vintage" guitar credentials, but not everything with a bit of age is actually any good! Hope your new guitar is everything you want.

phil.guitarnut · #16 02-09-2010, 03:59 PM

Cheers for the comments, I will DEFINITELY post a review for the PM-35. There aren't enough of them !!! All the ones I found have been really good though.

nrand · #17 04-23-2010, 05:10 PM

I also own an EA 250 and I am considering a few upgrades. Mine came with a Gibson Les Paul bridge installed and a trapeze tailpiece. Tonally this is better for Jazz tones than My G&L ASAT Special Semihollow - which cost way more money.

Bolt on neck or not these were still mostly hand made at this time and if you can find one that has not been abused I would say buy it and upgrade. The build quality is exceptional IMO.

The original electronics are just OK, to be honest, but I have some better pickups ready to go in when I get around to it - I am still enjoying the vintage sounds of the single coils.
I was lucky to fing this one, largely unplayed and it cost me $640.00 included postage to Australia.

Add some better pups and maybe some Kluson tuners [and maybe a Bigsby] and this will not embarrass itself along side much more costly guitars.

I have all these parts ready to install but I am still enjoying the vintage sounds. - Maybe later

aarons · #18 09-14-2011, 09:01 PM

I know this is kind of a late post, but oh well. I've got a
Epiphone EA 255, and i gotta say its amazing. It sounds great, looks great, and haven't had any problems whatsoever. It's a great guitar