Epiphone Masterbilt Zenith Sunburst 1932

What a remarkable piece of guitar history has found its way to The Fellowship of Acoustics! This 1932 Epiphone Zenith is not only a beautiful archtop, but also an instrument with an intriguing story.

In the 1930s, Epiphone was one of America's most respected guitar builders and Gibson's major rival in the field of archtops. The Zenith was one of the entry-level models in the archtop series, but that certainly did not mean that quality was compromised. The model was part of the same production line as the larger and more expensive Triumph and Broadway, and shared many of the meticulous construction principles with which Epiphone established its name.

The Zenith is built with a Sunburst-finished carved spruce top and a laminated maple back, a combination that provides a clear, defined tone with sufficient warmth. The mahogany neck with its Soft V-profile feels comfortable in the hand, and the rosewood fingerboard plays smoothly. The guitar was built in 1932 and, considering its advanced age, is in excellent condition. The top and body are free of cracks, and the original lacquer is still largely present. The binding of the body has a few small cracks, and the pickguard is missing. As a result, a few screw holes are visible in the waist of the body and on the side of the fingerboard on the treble side.

Furthermore, we see on the neck that the lacquer on the back has largely disappeared due to playing the guitar. The fingerboard has been filled in in a few places, and the guitar underwent a refret sometime in recent years, during which the nut was also replaced. Original parts such as the Waverly tuning machines and the wrapover trapezoid tailpiece are still present, allowing you to experience the guitar as Epiphone intended it to be in 1932!

Consignment.