NY Epiphones

[Chezdeluxe]

I thought some of you might like to see my NY Epiphone archtops.

A 39 Deluxe, a 49 Broadway Cutaway and a 50 Broadway. To my ears the 50 Broadway has the strongest clearest voice without any harshness. The other two are a bit softer spoken.

[58flame]

Very nice.

[Rodney Gene]

Dang....

[andrew]

Ok, this looks like a fun game!



Top row (L-R) '53 Zephyr Emperor Regent, '54 Flattop Deluxe , '60ish Broadway (NYC Neck, Kalamazoo body, so it half counts!)
Bottom row (L-R): what used to be an acoustic Deluxe from the late 30s or 40s and is now the TK Smith "Hillbilly Deluxe, '49 Zephyr Deluxe Regent (replaced electronics)

[omphalopsychos]

[SierraTango]

My duo (guitar/trumpet) plays a venue that has a small, intimate bar. I use my 53 Epiphone Triumph Regent with no pickup. My 53 has a NY label but it was probably built in Philly. It works perfectly in that room-just the right volume and that Epi cut through.

[Hammertone]

‘37 Triumph, restored to fine playing condition a bit at a time over the past few years, now being beaten daily by one of our members.

[Rickco]

me too ...me too, '35 16" walnut Bdwy '42 Ritz, I never even heard of a Ritz before I got this, I think its like an Olympic its 15" 4lbs 6oz tortish ell binding cherry neck, Im absolutely crazy about this guitar, my playing days are close to at end and clearing house but the Ritz stays with me till the end. Apologies for sideways pics, I really did try...

[Chezdeluxe]

Those mid/late 30s Broadways featuring Walnut back and sides have a unique voice. Apparently George Lowden claims walnut as his favourite back material for his guitars.

[stevo58]

Another NY Epi fan here. I only have one - a 1950 Devon, one step below the Triumph, but it’s (imho) a fantastic guitar.

[213Cobra]

I have one NY Epiphone so far. 1951 Emperor Regent. This was a professional performer's instrument in the US Northwest. The guitar is three years older than me, and about as scuffed and dinged as I am. Nice, full-handed neck; an acoustic cannon. It's dynamically responsive with time-won tone. I got it from Joe @ archtop.com, along with a CD by the performer on which this guitar was recorded. -Phil

[Rickco]

I have one NY Epiphone so far. 1951 Emperor Regent. This was a professional performer's instrument in the US Northwest. The guitar is three years older than me, and about as scuffed and dinged as I am. Nice, full-handed neck; an acoustic cannon. It's dynamically responsive with time-won tone. I got it from Joe @ archtop.com, along with a CD by the performer on which this guitar was recorded. -Phil

WOW!!! Thats a beauty, I think thats the nicest regent Ive seen.

[213Cobra]

WOW!!! Thats a beauty, I think thats the nicest regent Ive seen.

Thank you. I love it, with no disrespect to my Guilds and Gibsons. It's also deceptively light for its size.

When I bought it, Joe had a 1953 Emperor Regent at a slightly lower price. It was visually and physically a little cleaner. Not pristine but had been more sheltered than this one. We did a Google Meet live demo with both guitars. The '53 was no slouch; really excellent in all respects and cosmetically a notch above mine. But, even via video conference, it was obvious this '51 was the superior tone king, not to mention the appeal of its vivid maple grain on back and sides. Nothing like a full-bodied archtop under my arm.

Phil

[cmajor9]

+1 That is extravagantly beautiful! The figure in the woods, the carve, everything about it. Kudos!

[andrew]

Thank you. I love it, with no disrespect to my Guilds and Gibsons. It's also deceptively light for its size.

When I bought it, Joe had a 1953 Emperor Regent at a slightly lower price. It was visually and physically a little cleaner. Not pristine but had been more sheltered than this one. We did a Google Meet live demo with both guitars. The '53 was no slouch; really excellent in all respects and cosmetically a notch above mine. But, even via video conference, it was obvious this '51 was the superior tone king, not to mention the appeal of its vivid maple grain on back and sides. Nothing like a full-bodied archtop under my arm.

Phil

Did you buy that last year? When the recent fire happened, I think he was still showing both cutaway Emperors as in-stock. It sounds like at least one of them was spared, which I'm glad to hear!

[213Cobra]

Did you buy that last year? When the recent fire happened, I think he was still showing both cutaway Emperors as in-stock. It sounds like at least one of them was spared, which I'm glad to hear!

I bought that Epiphone from Joe in December 2024. Joe kept it listed in his Epiphone section for quite a while after my transaction, as "Sold." The 1953 remained available well into last year but I recall its listing changed to "On Hold" sometime before the fire.

Phil

[andrew]

I bought that Epiphone from Joe in December 2024. Joe kept it listed in his Epiphone section for quite a while after my transaction, as "Sold." The 1953 remained available well into last year but I recall its listing changed to "On Hold" sometime before the fire.

Phil

I wish I would have bought that Heritage ghost built Epiphone Deluxe he had. I was trying to wait until after New Years and look how that ended up…

[2bornot2bop]

I wish I would have bought that Heritage ghost built Epiphone Deluxe he had. I was trying to wait until after New Years and look how that ended up…

oh that’s right. They played and sounded like Super Eagles to my ear. I owned one in blonde.

[213Cobra]

I wish I would have bought that Heritage ghost built Epiphone Deluxe he had. I was trying to wait until after New Years and look how that ended up…

My advice is, for anything scarce don't wait if you don't have to. If you must wait, be responsible. But with age you learn that time isn't on your side. Keep looking! -Phil

[andrew]

Well, I bought a D'Angelico back in July (at a very good price for a genuine D'A, but still not exactly cheap). After that, I promised myself no new guitar purchases for the rest of the year. So as badly as I wanted the Heritage-Epi (Heriphone? Epitage?), I was trying to practice a little self-disciple, but I was planning on giving him a call New Years Day! And of course, the fire happens a week before that.

I was at the Heritage factory last year and asked Ren Wall about that guitar. He remembered it and said it was 1 of 1. I asked him if they did any other ghost builds and he said the Gretsch Synchromatics and the D'As (both of which are "known entities") were the only ones. No other oddballs out there.

I just bought a "regular" Golden Eagle a few weeks ago as a consolation prize, so don't feel too bad for me.

(Sorry to derail from the NY Epi content. I would love to have a non-cutaway Deluxe one day! Emperors aren't too shabby either)

[58flame]

I have one NY Epiphone so far. 1951 Emperor Regent. This was a professional performer's instrument in the US Northwest. The guitar is three years older than me, and about as scuffed and dinged as I am. Nice, full-handed neck; an acoustic cannon. It's dynamically responsive with time-won tone. I got it from Joe @ archtop.com, along with a CD by the performer on which this guitar was recorded. -Phil

Super nice. That neck is awesome.

[2bornot2bop]

Well, I bought a D'Angelico back in July (at a very good price for a genuine D'A, but still not exactly cheap). After that, I promised myself no new guitar purchases for the rest of the year. So as badly as I wanted the Heritage-Epi (Heriphone? Epitage?), I was trying to practice a little self-disciple, but I was planning on giving him a call New Years Day! And of course, the fire happens a week before that.

I was at the Heritage factory last year and asked Ren Wall about that guitar. He remembered it and said it was 1 of 1. I asked him if they did any other ghost builds and he said the Gretsch Synchromatics and the D'As (both of which are "known entities") were the only ones. No other oddballs out there.

I just bought a "regular" Golden Eagle a few weeks ago as a consolation prize, so don't feel too bad for me.

(Sorry to derail from the NY Epi content. I would love to have a non-cutaway Deluxe one day! Emperors aren't too shabby either)

but mine was a blonde and identical to the sunburst that Joe had. And Mark owns one in Sunburst. I believe there were about 22 of those. Ask Mark, he knows.

[skykomishone]

Beautiful guitars...
1936 Epiphone Emperor Masterbilt

[skykomishone]

This thread inspired me to show her some love today. So I brought her up from her bedroom and warmed her up. It's hard to describe how amazing it is, but here is a picture.

[jazzshrink]

This thread inspired me to show her some love today. So I brought her up from her bedroom and warmed her up.

Beautiful guitar, creepy description.