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Up for sale, a 1953 Epiphone Zephyr Emperor Regent in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This New York-made Epiphone Emperor is an exquisite and elegant archtop both acoustically and plugged in, retaining its original trio of New York humbuckers.
Featuring an arched spruce top and figured curly maple back and sides, the Zephyr Emperor was the top of the line model in Epiphone's vintage archtop range, designed to stand toe to toe with Gibson's Super 400CES which was released in 1951 (the same year as the Emperor debuted). The Zephyr Emperor features a 18 3/8" wide lower bout and full 25 1/2" scale length, easily among the most imposing archtops of the Jazz Age. The 1953 model year is also notable for the Emperor, as Epiphone transitioned from the original (and more desirable) spruce-topped iteration seen here to a maple top mid-year.
The push-button pickup selector system, originally called the Vari-Tone before Epiphone retired that nomenclature in deference to Gibson, offers a broad range of brilliant, clear tones. Expressive and detailed, the New York pickups amplify the natural clarity and midrange-forward sweetness of the instrument, emblematic of arguably the finest era of Epiphone production. Quite versatile, this Zephyr Emperor can be sparkling and crisp or thick and mellow, literally with the push of a button. Weighing 8lbs 10oz and professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this Epiphone features 11-49 strings and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Seven-ply maple/walnut/mahogany
-Shape: Deep C, measuring .900” 1st fret, 1.020” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, multi-ply binding, pearl block/abalone V inlay, finger wear from frets 1-6
-Frets: Slender, refretted
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1 11/16", bone
-Headstock: Vine inlay, script logo, multi-ply bound
-Tuners: Original gold-plated “E” Epsilon-stamped, 16:1 ratio
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce, Maple
-Pickups: Tone Spectrum "New York" single coil x3
-Controls: Volume, Tone, push-button pickup selector
-Hardware: Frequensator tailpiece, Brazilian rosewood bridge
-Plastics: Bound tortoise pickguard (modern), cream "carousel" octagonal pointer knobs
-Serialization: “New York” label, dates to 53
The original Sunburst gloss nitro lacquer finish highlights the deep and dimensional curly figuring in the maple on the back and rims, particularly on the massive one-piece maple back. There are some professionally repaired cracks on the treble-side lower bout on top and adjacent to the knobs, F hole and Vari-Tone plate, with an additional repair on the bass-side lower bout. The original top and back multi-ply binding has two pieces of replaced binding on either side of the cutaway and another tiny patch just below the tailpiece. The finish exhibits vertical lacquer checking across the top and fainter checking across the back, with some finish wear through the lacquer adjacent to the knobs (likely a reaction to the original pickguard off-gassing), and minor nicks and scuffs consistent with honest use on the instrument as a whole. The neck profile is smooth and inviting, with palm wear through the nitro gloss on the shoulders.
The original black tolex hardshell case with red plush interior is included.
Featuring an arched spruce top and figured curly maple back and sides, the Zephyr Emperor was the top of the line model in Epiphone's vintage archtop range, designed to stand toe to toe with Gibson's Super 400CES which was released in 1951 (the same year as the Emperor debuted). The Zephyr Emperor features a 18 3/8" wide lower bout and full 25 1/2" scale length, easily among the most imposing archtops of the Jazz Age. The 1953 model year is also notable for the Emperor, as Epiphone transitioned from the original (and more desirable) spruce-topped iteration seen here to a maple top mid-year.
The push-button pickup selector system, originally called the Vari-Tone before Epiphone retired that nomenclature in deference to Gibson, offers a broad range of brilliant, clear tones. Expressive and detailed, the New York pickups amplify the natural clarity and midrange-forward sweetness of the instrument, emblematic of arguably the finest era of Epiphone production. Quite versatile, this Zephyr Emperor can be sparkling and crisp or thick and mellow, literally with the push of a button. Weighing 8lbs 10oz and professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this Epiphone features 11-49 strings and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Seven-ply maple/walnut/mahogany
-Shape: Deep C, measuring .900” 1st fret, 1.020” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, multi-ply binding, pearl block/abalone V inlay, finger wear from frets 1-6
-Frets: Slender, refretted
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1 11/16", bone
-Headstock: Vine inlay, script logo, multi-ply bound
-Tuners: Original gold-plated “E” Epsilon-stamped, 16:1 ratio
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce, Maple
-Pickups: Tone Spectrum "New York" single coil x3
-Controls: Volume, Tone, push-button pickup selector
-Hardware: Frequensator tailpiece, Brazilian rosewood bridge
-Plastics: Bound tortoise pickguard (modern), cream "carousel" octagonal pointer knobs
-Serialization: “New York” label, dates to 53
The original Sunburst gloss nitro lacquer finish highlights the deep and dimensional curly figuring in the maple on the back and rims, particularly on the massive one-piece maple back. There are some professionally repaired cracks on the treble-side lower bout on top and adjacent to the knobs, F hole and Vari-Tone plate, with an additional repair on the bass-side lower bout. The original top and back multi-ply binding has two pieces of replaced binding on either side of the cutaway and another tiny patch just below the tailpiece. The finish exhibits vertical lacquer checking across the top and fainter checking across the back, with some finish wear through the lacquer adjacent to the knobs (likely a reaction to the original pickguard off-gassing), and minor nicks and scuffs consistent with honest use on the instrument as a whole. The neck profile is smooth and inviting, with palm wear through the nitro gloss on the shoulders.
The original black tolex hardshell case with red plush interior is included.
