Details
This Epiphone Triumph was made in New York in 1946 and thanks to a recent professional refret this is a highly playable and very solid guitar. The finish is original throughout, and there are no cracks in the body or neck. Another plus is that this Epi Triumph is late enough that it has an adjustable truss rod (with access under body end of the fingerboard). The previous owner kindly left the correct size allen wrench in the case pocket.
We doubt the tailpiece is original but it's a sturdy unmarked Frequensator style. The adjustable rosewood bridge is a replacement. The tuners are original and the low E has a cracked button that's been glued and seems solid. The discoloration to the finish under the treble strings (above the bridge) is from when the celluloid pickguard began to deteriorate (pickguard and its hardware are in the case in a sealed plastic bag, but one glance will remind you to not even think about putting it back on). Other than the new frets and replaced parts there's no sign of any repairs. Note that the neck inlays are celluloid, not pearl, and while the fingerboard inlays seem fine the inlays in the headstock are shrinking somewhat.
Maybe it lacks the fancy maple, pearl inlays and multiple layers of binding found on higher models, but this is an excellent sounding and playing fully-carved New York archtop at a very reasonable price. Original hardshell case (one hinge replaced) is sturdy and an excellent fit.
Specs
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Back sides
Solid Carved Maple
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Binding
White celluloid
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Bracing
Tone Bars
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Bridge
Rosewood Adjustable
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Fingerboard
Brazilian Rosewood
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Finish
lacquer
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Frets to body
14
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Inlay
celluloid diamonds
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Neck material
5 Piece Laminated Maple/Walnut
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Nut width
1 11/16"
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Scale length
24.5"
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Top material
Carved Sitka Spruce
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Tuners
original
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Year
1946
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Case type
Original Hardshell
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Serial number
55440
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SKU
EPITRI-55440
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UPC
120484
