1946 Epiphone Emperor w/ original Lifton case

[Atomic]

Vintage 1946 Epiphone Emperor with original brown Lifton hardshell case in excellent condition. As most of you already know, these fine, early Epiphone instruments are some of the most highly regarded archtops ever made, and this blonde bombshell, made about a year after the Second World War ended, is no exception. Some seriously skilled hands made this guitar! Serial number stamped underneath the light Pearwood bridge foot matches the serial number on the original label, per the usual pre-war/early post-war factory procedure. The original contrasting woods used for the bridge foot and saddle were typical of this era of Epi.


Lovely and resonant old-growth Adirondack spruce top, with nicely figured maple back, sides and neck. The neck has an easily navigable V profile that is both comfortable and quite playable. Nut width is 1-45/64” or 43.3mm. This particular V profile is typical of Epiphone archtops made from the mid-30’s through the ‘40’s. Nice and straight neck. Truss rod (patented Epiphone “thrust-rod”) works great. The guitar had a thin, professional nitro overspray applied some time ago, as so many old archtops did. Has the obligatory Epiphone short hairline waist to f-hole bass side crack repair, professionally done and well concealed. The lower bout treble side had a very old, small rim repair that was well done and blends well. Original celluloid tortoiseshell “hump” edge pickguard in great shape, with no signs of cracking or deterioration! The original binding on the instrument is in excellent condition as well.


The guitar comes in its original brown Lifton hardshell case with purple/pink lining. The case is in solid serviceable condition with all latches and feet, present and working. In the case pocket are a few case candy items, such as a thrust-rod adjustment tool (which may in fact be the rare original tool), small Manila envelope and original Excalibur case key.

Nappy approved!

*please note: Epiphone advertising poster image is from my paper archives and not included in the sale


$6,900 USD + Shipping

[Cunamara]

Ooh baby, that's a pretty one!

[Hammertone]

I've played it, and it has the Hammertone Seal of Approval.

[wintermoon]

Sweet example!
There was a time when dealers like Gruhn had 5 or 6 at any given time, but no more, everyone's keeping they're old 181/2" behemoths. And no Frequensator crack to boot.
Great looking and I bet it sounds it. A great price too, won't last long if anyone's sane.
GLWTS!

[Bibir]

Oh man that's a beauty!!! I wish I can

[Atomic]

Thanks to all for the props so far! Wish I could remain in the same company as the others in keeping their old big-bodied beauties.

Fortunately, this example is one of the few to survive with a crack-free Frequensator, original ‘guard and none of the old plastic has disintegrated. That rather thick Pyralin plastic outer layer of body binding is usually the first thing to go boom on these, and it’s impossible to find that stuff anymore. Surprisingly, the plastics on this example are quite stable.

Yup, it sounds great!

[fws6]

“Nut width is 17.77mm”

hope not ! Think you left out that one inch… 43mm…

[Atomic]

Corrected the typo, thanks for catching that. I forgot to add the inch in my conversion. Talk about distracted. I have played a few Rickenbackers with that nut width, lol

[Woody Sound]

I have played a few Rickenbackers with that nut width, lol

Ha!

[TAA]

Excellent photos! Somebody is going to like and want this great looking guitar!

Tom

[Chris236]

Awesome guitar. I ended up with a 46’ Triumph that although heavily modified has made me a believer in these guitars. This is what an archtop guitar is supposed to sound like!

[himself]

A true beauty! I understand it's located in the US?
J.

[Atomic]

A true beauty! I understand it's located in the US?
J.

The guitar is currently in Canada. It can be shipped to a U.S. address from within the U.S., or directly from Canada.

[jim777]

It is absolutely gorgeous! GLWTS

[Atomic]

Epiphoneus giganteum (giant epiphone; also known as giant jazzbox)

[callouscallus]

Never played and emperor.......are they really super loud acoustically?

[Atomic]

An 18-1/2” lower bout is going to push more air resulting in a bit more volume but it’s not outrageously loud. The guitar responds surprisingly well to a lighter finger style approach, not just all-out big band chop chording

[gitman]

An 18-1/2” lower bout is going to push more air resulting in a bit more volume but it’s not outrageously loud. The guitar responds surprisingly well to a lighter finger style approach, not just all-out big band chop chording

I concur : when playing a 40's D'Angelico New Yorker and a 40's Emperor side by side at Mandolin Bros. many moons ago it was an ear-opening experience for me : both guitars were LOUD when pumped , the sound was not "beautiful" or "pretty" and the Emperor bellowed with confidence and authority with def. less effort. With the D'A it took more input for comparable output. The same held true when I played an Epi Deluxe of the same vintage in comparison with an L5 non-cut.
Re your question re fingerstyle playing : of course you can play them fingerstyle but they simply won't speak with their true voice when the top is not put into some motion. There are modern acoustic archtop guitars that would be much more suitable for playing without a pick but IMHO these old guitars are primarily made for playing with a strong attack, i.e. some sort of plectrum.

A friend owns a late 40's Emperor that was fitted with a sharp cutaway at the Gibson plant sometime in the 60's and for me that guitar's DeArmond 1100 pickup plugged into an amp produces the ultimate electric/acoustic sound mix. Not to speak of the eminently playable neck and the very comfortable small waist of this large guitar ....