Music

For sale: a 1936 Epiphone Broadway (serial number 11309).These 17" Epiphone archtop guitars became the standard for jazz rhythm-guitar professionals of the late 1930s swing golden-age mostly due to their ability to cut through increasingly loud Big Bands, as well as their even-tone and quality workmanship. Despite their ubiquity in the 1930s they are becoming increasingly rare and sought-after, particularly the models built before the war years.The Broadway model was among the top-of-the-line models for Epiphone and featured a hand-carved Adirondack spruce top, a figured bookmatched black Walnut back and sides, 5 piece maple neck with walnut centerstripes; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlay; abalone vine pattern peghead inlay in bound headstock, triple-bound body, bound fingerboard and headstock. The neck is a gentle C-neck profile quite unlike the clubby necks of earlier Epiphones. The original Grover Sta-Tite tuners are in working order and have been recently serviced and oiled. The pickguard is a period correct repro, the compensated bridge is new, and the tailpiece is a newer frequensator model. Condition: I originally bought this guitar in an original and unrestored condition (tailpiece, bridge and pickguard missing). I had it restored by Lutz Heidlindemann in Berlin (GuitarDoc) who replaced the shrinking period plastic-binding on the body and neck, reset the neck, replaced the frets, amongst other things. This guitar has a variety of scratches, scrapes and dings (nothing out of the ordinary for a working guitar this old), but beyond the superficial, this guitar has no cracks or anything that would compromise structural integrity.I have personally used this guitar in jazz ensembles for the last 3 years (often acoustically/without amplification or microphone) and I can attest to its cutting power within a 13 piece Big Band (I have recently upgraded to a model I like more and thus wish to sell this one). Due to the use of walnut on the back/sides of the Broadway model these instruments (including this guitar) have a voice unique among archtops, in particular, the brilliant cutting mid-tones (and to a lesser degree, the highs). The setup is on the high side (perfect for rhythm) and it is fitted with a new pack of Martin Tony Rice Monel 13s strings. Included is also a 60s(?) era Epiphone case with a deteriorating handle, some old water-damage but in otherwise good condition.Please contact about shipping outside of the EU.This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.

The Epiphone Broadway is a classic jazz guitar with a timeless design, well-regarded for its warm and rich tone.