1951 Epiphone Triumph Regent

**Stringswinger** · 06-10-2016, 06:12 PM

I need another guitar like a hole in the head, but this one came up on my local Craigslist at a price I could not pass up.

It is a 1951 Epiphone Triumph Regent, a cutaway version of the workhorse Triumph. This was only made in the original NewYork workshop for 4 years (1948-1952). It is a 17 3/8 inch hand carved archtop with brazillian rosewood fretboard and carved maple back and sides. It has the original tailpiece, tuners and pickguard (which was cut for a dearmond pickup. The case is from the 50's and needs a handle, but is not an Epiphone case. The Brazillian rosewood bridge is likely non-original as well (no serial number on the underside and it is compensated). The guitar is heavily checked and has typical Epiphone/Guild binding issues. It will need some binding work before I can use it. The original frets show wear, but I think they will be OK for a while.

I paid $1,000 plus owe the seller 4 guitar lessons (a $200 value). It seemed like a deal I could not pass up.

I will fix the attached picture as soon as I figure out how to do it! (Can anybody help me rotate this?)

PS another NGD is coming as I am buying yet another guitar from one of our esteemed members....

**Klatu** · 06-10-2016, 06:16 PM

Congratulations. That is easily a $4,000 guitar that you scored at a massive discount.

**Stringswinger** · 06-10-2016, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

Congratulations. That is easily a $4,000 guitar that you scored at a massive discount.

I don't know about that. Fixed up, I think it is worth $2,000-$2,500. It will need a few hundred dollars worth of repair, so I will be in it right for sure, but I do not think I made a steal. I would call it a "wholesale buy". Probably what a dealer like Joe in Seattle or Larry in NY would pay.

**setemupjoe** · 06-10-2016, 06:27 PM

**Stringswinger** · 06-10-2016, 06:28 PM

Thanks!!! How did you do the rotation?

**cgratham** · 06-10-2016, 06:31 PM

Hi Marc,
That looks like a beauty Marc. Both upside down and downside down. And what a deal. Congrats and enjoy.

Chris

**neatomic** · 06-10-2016, 06:35 PM

with two new guitars incoming, i see your prepared to do some sleeping on the couch!!

hahaha

beautiful guitar!! and there's a non cutaway '48 epi triumph on the same cl still

congrats & enjoy

cheers

**citizenk74** · 06-10-2016, 06:40 PM

That's a beauty! I hope you'll post additionally when it's been restored to your standards and satisfaction!

**Stringswinger** · 06-10-2016, 06:42 PM

Neatomic,

My wife is very supportive of my addiction. I use money that I have earned from playing music to buy guitars. She has seen me play guitars for a few years and sell them for more money than I paid for them (usually Gibsons), so she thinks I am smart when I buy another guitar.

I am one lucky man for so many reasons....

**setemupjoe** · 06-10-2016, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Thanks!!! How did you do the rotation?

I downloaded it on my iPhone and edited the photo using iPhones edit features. You can rotate a photo very easily.

**Stringswinger** · 06-10-2016, 06:43 PM

K,

It may take me a while to get this one up to snuff, but at some point, I will post an update.

**BeBob** · 06-10-2016, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

(Can anybody help me rotate this?)

Here you go.

**Max405** · 06-10-2016, 08:03 PM

SS,
that could end up being a great pickup.
Hows the neck on those?
JD

**Stringswinger** · 06-10-2016, 08:11 PM

Joe, it is a full neck, but not baseball bat thick. I had a 53 Triumph that was too fat for me. I have a 46 that is full with a slight V. It is OK, but less than ideal. This one feels like a late 50's Gibson neck. It is the best NY Epi neck yet for me.

**vinnyv1k** · 06-10-2016, 10:32 PM

Very nice Marc !!! are you going to keep it as a acoustic or mount a pu on it ? Epi's really bark. Congrats my friend.

**Stringswinger** · 06-11-2016, 02:46 AM

Vinny,

This one, like my non-cut 46 Epiphone Triumph will remain acoustic. I have three DeArmonds with the Monkey on a stick setup to use on these guitars when I want to play out. Epi's are indeed loud.

I need to fix the binding and get a handle for the case. Then I will play it and see what I think. The frets will need to be replaced in a year or two and at some point, a coat of clear overspray may be necessary to keep the finish intact.

I really was not looking for this guitar, but the price was right and I love archtop guitars.

I am up to 21 guitars now and another will soon be on its way.

I don't have a problem, I have a passion.

**fws6** · 06-11-2016, 04:05 AM

Cool. I have a very similar one in blonde, which I got from Duke Robillard, and I love it.

So congrats

and a compensated rosewood saddle could well be appropriate for that era. They didnt stamp the serials in it anymore.

1951 Epiphone Triumph Regent-image-jpeg

**Thumpalumpacus** · 06-11-2016, 04:15 AM

That's badass. Niiiiice score.

**Stringswinger** · 06-11-2016, 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by fws6

Cool. I have a very similar one in blonde, which I got from Duke Robillard, and I love it.

So congrats

and a compensated rosewood saddle could well be appropriate for that era. They didnt stamp the serials in it anymore.

Frank,

Doing some web research leads me to believe that the bridge is indeed original. The case is quite old (looks like it is from the 50's) but it lacks the E logo on the inside. My 46 Epi case has that and my 53 Epi case had that. I do think it is possible that the original owner chose a non Epi case when purchasing this guitar.

**fws6** · 06-11-2016, 06:26 AM

Yes... All Epi cases have the Epsilon as far as I know.... and so should the pickguard after 48 (I have spares...)

here's a 50s Epi compensared bridge

1951 Epiphone Triumph Regent-image-jpeg

**zizala** · 06-11-2016, 07:12 AM

Love old Epi's.....and congrats!

My '49 Triumph Regent came to me with all original parts except for the bridge.

At first I found one from '53 Triumph that had cutouts for individual string compensation.....but after looking at several '49's it seemed more likely that the original for my guitar was the earlier type with a straight rosewood saddle and the bass side angled back a bit. So I had to find one of those and eventually did....
Maybe I can get back with a photo to compare.

The pickguard had an Epsilon "E" at one time....I can see the impression that remains.

Here it is in the company of a '49 L-7c and '58 Guild X-175. A good comparison of body shapes.

**Archtop Guy** · 06-11-2016, 09:06 AM

String swinger,What a find! I've owned the non cut Triumph,The Cutaway Delux and the non Cut Emperor. I have not owned a cut Triumph. IMHO the non-cut Triumphs have the best built in reverb of them all,including the Gibsons. I hope that your cutaway has that same sound.Congratulations on a great discovery.

**fws6** · 06-11-2016, 10:05 AM

**rabbit** · 06-11-2016, 10:35 AM

Well (harrumph), all of this immodest showing-off; I love it!

Stringswinger: Congratulations on choosing 'My Kinda Guitar.'

Enjoy her in good health!

**campusfive** · 06-11-2016, 11:18 AM

I'm usually pretty downbeat about any kind of cutaway archtop, but those Epi Regents are some of the few that I think don't lose something compared to their non-cut cousins. Whit Smith had one for a while that was a real cannon. Good choice.