JoelH Posted July 17, 2020 Report Share Posted July 17, 2020 Long time player. Played in several bands 1980s & 1990s. Black GibsonSG batwing/Marshall JCM 900. I was just gifted with what appears to be an Epiphone Wilshire with P90 pickups, but it's not in my possession yet. No serial numbers visible. Only info I have is that it was purchased about 47 years ago. Almost perfect condition except for a weird-looking vibrato bar that was added. Wondering if it's authentic or fake. Here's a pic and I would really appreciate any info anyone might provide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtone Posted July 17, 2020 Report Share Posted July 17, 2020 That looks to be original, and probably late ‘60’s. Not possible to be certain without serial number and better/closer photos. It’s not “fake” because nobody would go to the trouble to fake that model; the value isn’t there. Not that it isn’t worth much, just that it’s not tens of thousands of dollars, so not worth the effort it would take to create. Try looking up the sold values on Reverb if you are trying to establish a value. The Vibrola is original, as is the finish as far as I can tell from the photo. Nice little guitar! I’m sure it sounds great with those P-90’s; very much like an SG special, except it has an ABR abridge instead of the stop tailpiece bridge an SG Special came with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtone Posted July 17, 2020 Report Share Posted July 17, 2020 Early ‘60’s; not late ‘60’s.. The P-90’s were later replaced with mini humbuckings. There's one very close to this one on eBay for $9,999.00, but that’s the asking price. Here’s the eBay item number: 164293364495 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2020 2 hours ago, ashtone said: That looks to be original, and probably late ‘60’s. Not possible to be certain without serial number and better/closer photos. It’s not “fake” because nobody would go to the trouble to fake that model; the value isn’t there. Not that it isn’t worth much, just that it’s not tens of thousands of dollars, so not worth the effort it would take to create. Try looking up the sold values on Reverb if you are trying to establish a value. The Vibrola is original, as is the finish as far as I can tell from the photo. Nice little guitar! I’m sure it sounds great with those P-90’s; very much like an SG special, except it has an ABR abridge instead of the stop tailpiece bridge an SG Special came with. Thanks a ton for the useful info. Can't wait to actually get my hands on it. Hopefully then I can nail down serial number, etc. Person sending it to me is unable to help much in this area, but she sure was kind to gift me with this after her hubby passed away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2020 7 minutes ago, ashtone said: Early ‘60’s; not late ‘60’s.. The P-90’s were later replaced with mini humbuckings. There's one very close to this one on eBay for $9,999.00, but that’s the asking price. Here’s the eBay item number: 164293364495 Thanks. That's what I've been seeing as well. Just hoping mine will be worth anywhere near that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted July 17, 2020 Report Share Posted July 17, 2020 Welcome aboard from a fellow ATX area dweller. Congrats on your pending receipt of the Wiltshire. I always thought they were cool guitars. You may also want to post your question to the Epiphone Electrics forum. A lot of knowledgeable people hang out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted July 18, 2020 Report Share Posted July 18, 2020 Looks authentic to me.. Very very nice.. 1959-1962 Epiphone Wilshire http://www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Wilshire.php#Wilshire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted July 18, 2020 Report Share Posted July 18, 2020 Great first name. Welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Posted July 19, 2020 Report Share Posted July 19, 2020 Welcome JoelH to the forum. Nice guitar, Looks authentic to me too but then I'm no expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2020 Thanks. Glad to be here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) I should be receiving my Epi Wilshire tomorrow. Very excited. Question: has anyone else seen one of these or similar Epiphone guitars on which the large E logo is sitting at a 90 degree angle from how it's normally positioned? Edited July 21, 2020 by JoelH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2020 Finally got the Epiphone Wilshire. Pretty good condition. Minor scuffs and finish crackle, but gives it character, right? Serial number confirms it's a 1962 model. Currently having it set up by some really good people @ South Austin Music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtone Posted July 24, 2020 Report Share Posted July 24, 2020 Hers someone you may recognize playing a Wiltshire like yours... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2020 Aww move over Rover – and let Jimi take over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtone Posted July 24, 2020 Report Share Posted July 24, 2020 Good call on the angled plug. I’ve fixed numerous Gibson guitars with that top mounted jack. The wood is thin, and it doesn’t take much to crack or break with the torque applied when stepping on a cord with a straight plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2020 (edited) Exactly. Been using 'L' ends for years on my SG. Edited July 24, 2020 by JoelH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelH Posted July 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2020 Question: has anyone else seen one of these or similar Epiphone guitars on which the large E logo is sitting at a 90 degree angle from how it's normally positioned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtone Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 ...and here ya go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 21 hours ago, JoelH said: Question: has anyone else seen one of these or similar Epiphone guitars on which the large E logo is sitting at a 90 degree angle from how it's normally positioned? No. Usually they're placed on the pick guard at an angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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