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EPIPHONE | ELECTRIC ACOUSTIC GUITARS | CENTURY | 1963 CENTURY

1963 Epiphone Century

Thinline semi acoustic

Epiphone Century main page | 1959 Epiphone Century | 1963 Epiphone Century

1963 Epiphone Century

This Epiphone is a typical example of an early 1960s Century. It was made at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, so it's construction is in typical Gibson style; a maple body, with one-piece mahogany neck with a rounded un-capped heel. Many late 50s and early 60s Epiphone guitars used old-stock Epiphone components and even necks (for example, see the 1959 Epiphone Century), though none are used in this instance. Hardware is typical Gibson/Epiphone: a single coil P90 pickup with black plastic cover, nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece, gold bell knobs and of course the Epiphone silk-screened logo on the headstock. The scratchplate has changed from the earlier single ply tortoiseshell guard to a three play white-black-white.

This example was one of 169 Epiphone Centurys shipped in 1963. US zone 1 list price (September '63) was $182.50. Both Shaded (as shown) and Royal Burgundy finishes were available this year, though shipping figures do not list the two finishes individually, though it would seem Shaded guitars were shipped in much larger numbers than Royal Burgundy.

1963 Epiphone Century P90 dogear pickup
The Epiphone Century was typically fitted with one single coil P90 pickup, in this case with black dogear cover. Earlier examples had old-stock Epiphone New York pickups, or P90s with white covers.
1963 Epiphone Century trapeze tailpiece
Hardware was typically nickel plated; bail-type tailpiece and free-floating rosewood bridge. Both these, and the gold bell-knobs are the same style as used by many Gibsons at this time.
1963 Epiphone Century heel joint
1963 Epiphone Century body reverse

Shaded finish guitars from this period only had this finish on the top - backs and sides were typically a rich translucent walnut brown. Centurys with the Royal Burgundy finish were not subject to this however, and were the same colour all over. Bodies (but not necks) were bound, with single ply cream celluloid on front and back. The heel of this guitar is uncapped - compare to the 1959 example which has an old-stock Stathopoulos-era neck - three ply with capped heel. Note also the differences in shapes of the two heels.

1963 Epiphone Century headstock
1963 Epiphone Century headstock reverse

The headstock and it's markings did change over the period the Century was in production by Gibson. Initially the shape was the same as the original pre-Gibson headstock, with the metal 'V' plate Epiphone logo (see the 1959 Century) - and from late 1963 a longer, more curved headstock style was phased in, though the logo was still silk-screened, as shown above. This intermediate of old-shape headstock, and silk-screened logo appeared only on guitars produced 1961-63.

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Vintage 1951 Epiphone Century Spanish Guitar Violin Top Acoustic / Electric #740

Vintage 1951 Epiphone Century Spanish Guitar Violin Top Acoustic / Electric #740

Tualatin, Oregon, 970**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4500

Vintage 1951 Epiphone Century Spanish Acoustic Electric Model #740. Made in New York! (Humbucker Picker) I have owned this guitar for over 35+ years and it was my fathers before that. It has always been stored in a case and only came out this year to display. Now it's time to give it a good home where someone can enjoy it and maybe play it too It's in beautiful condition, works great, and has an awesome sound. It's a one of a kind find... more
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Epiphone Century E422T 1963 - Cherry

Epiphone Century E422T 1963 - Cherry

Liverpool, New York, 130**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2495

1963 Epiphone Century with Case!
The case is not the original case, but one that belonged to a newer model
All original except for the bridge I believe was changed
Ships Insured with signature required.
... more
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1960s Epiphone Semi Hollow Body Century

1960s Epiphone Semi Hollow Body Century

Marianna, Florida, 324**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

This 1960s Epiphone Semi Hollow Body Century electric guitar is a true gem for any musician. With its unique and stylish design, this guitar is perfect for any performance or recording setting. The guitar is made by Epiphone, a well-known brand in the music industry, and is of excellent quality
The guitar also has a hard case to go with it
... more
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Vintage 1959 Epiphone E422T Century Sunburst Hollow Body Electric Guitar

Vintage 1959 Epiphone E422T Century Sunburst Hollow Body Electric Guitar

Redding, California, 960**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3335

The Epiphone Electric Guitar in Sunburst is a right-handed instrument with a sleek body design and 22 frets, making it ideal for electric guitar enthusiasts looking for a high-quality and versatile instrument. With its classic sunburst color and Epiphone brand reputation for durability and solid craftsmanship, this electric guitar offers great tone and playability for musicians across various genres. Perfect for beginners or seasoned players alike, this guitar is sure to inspire creativity and ... more
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Epiphone 1951 Sunburst Century Spanish Hollow Body & Neck

Epiphone 1951 Sunburst Century Spanish Hollow Body & Neck

Glassboro, New Jersey, 080**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$500


Gibson Dependable
Home of the most First and most Dependable Gibson parts on Ebay
U S.A. and Worldwide Bidders Welcomed
How many of you guitar enthusiast out there have always wanted to build yourselves that awesome project guitar, but didn??t want to spend the money on a full guitar only to dismantle it. Well, here is your opportunity do so. We sell high end name brand parts and project guitars specifically for the purpose of building your own custom one off guitar
Description:... more
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1965 Epiphone E422T Century in Sunburst with hard shell case

1965 Epiphone E422T Century in Sunburst with hard shell case

London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3250


NEW KINGS ROAD VINTAGE GUITAR EMPORIUM, EUROPE'S PREMIER VINTAGE GUITAR RETAILER ARE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER FOR SALE THIS
1965 Epiphone E422T Century Sunburst
Beautiful mid 60s Epiphone Century in great used condition. Maple body, Mah gany neck with a 20 frets R sewood fingerboard. R sewood bridge, Gold reflector knobs. Nickel hardware, trapeze and 3 in-line Kluson plastic button tuners. 1 x P90 pickup with 1x Volume & 1x Tone control. The nut width is 39mmThe ... more
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Epiphone Century 1966 E-422T Electric Guitar Plus Hardcase

Epiphone Century 1966 E-422T Electric Guitar Plus Hardcase

Dunstable, LU6***, UNITED KINGDOM

£695

If need postage please ask. See what I can do
Selling to fund a new Les Paul. Selling a few of my guitars I don??t play so much. No rush to sell really
Great playing and sounding guitar. Strung with 11??s and wound G. Really nice acoustic sound when you fancy a play unplugged.
Have an Epiphone hardcase also. It??s in loft but can get pics if required.
9 / 10 for condition, very small blemish here and there but no dents or paint chips. Come and see her
The top has been ... more
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1961 Epiphone Century in Cherry finish with single P90 pickup

1961 Epiphone Century in Cherry finish with single P90 pickup

London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3500


NEW KINGS ROAD VINTAGE GUITAR EMPORIUM, EUROPE'S PREMIER VINTAGE GUITAR RETAILER ARE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER FOR SALE THIS
1961 Epiphone Century
Here we have a great example of an early 60s Epiphone century in Cherry finish. Hollow double bound Maple body. Mah gany neck with a R sewood fingerboard and dot inlays. Single P-90 pickup with 1x Volume and 1X Tone control. R sewood bridge & Bridge base. Large early 60s headstock. The tuners are 3 on a line single line Deluxe. ... more
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1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

1971 Rose_Morris catalogThe sixteen-page 1971 Rose-Morris catalog featured electric guitars by Rose-Morris' own brand, Shaftesbury, and budget brand Top Twenty; aswell as acoustics by Eko, Aria, and for the first time Ovation. The catalog contains the following instruments: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3264, 3265, 3400, 3402; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Ovation: Balladeer, 12 String, Glen Campbell, Glen Campbell 12 string; Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12, Colorado, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Studio 'L'; Rose-Morris Florida; Aria 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk

1972 Fender Precision bass

1972 Fender PrecisionA detailed look at an early 1970s Fender Precision bass guitar in custom black finish, with rosewood fretboard. 1972 list price, $307.50. The Fender Precision had been shipping since at least very early 1952 - with just one re-design circa 1957. This example, then, shows a model already two decades old, but barely changed since the '57 revamp. Fender got it right first time around, and although there are numerous minor cosmetic differences, the essence of this bass is effectively the same as it was in '52: a simple, single pickup instrument with a GREAT sound. Check out the demo video through an old Ampeg B15. It's no wonder this is the bass that everybody wants!

1967 Vox Stroller

1967 Vox StrollerThe Vox Stroller was the brand's entry level electric solid body guitar, fitted with just one pickup and a fixed tailpiece. Although aimed at student guitarists, it wasn't a terrible instrument, but did lack somewhat in adjustability, having no accessible truss rod and only a floating rosewood bridge. But this example is actually quite an improvement on earlier versions, with a standard 1/4" jack and a solid mahogany body. 1967 price £18 2s. JMI ceased UK guitar production in late '67, and combined with decreasing demand for the Stroller, this surely must be one of the last examples shipped.

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

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1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

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