New (to me) in 2020: 1964 Epiphone FT-45 Cortez

[pohatu771]

Remember when I was asking about about cases that would fit my Gibson LG-0, and I was strangely-intent on buying an Epiphone-branded case?

Here's the real reason.

I've been looking for a Cortez since the spring, and after missing a few, I've watched the price continue to rise. One night in September, though, I found this 1964 example on Guitar Center's vintage section. It had one photo, condition listed as "good," and disclosure of a lifting bridge. Not a shock for any mid-60s Gibson with a plastic bridge. It was listed for about what they sold for in the spring. I had it shipped to my local store (where it came in a nice Martin case that I'll re-sell).

When I got home, though, I had some questions. There was a potential headstock break in progress, a top crack coming off one of the bridge studs, another one coming off the fretboard extension, and some internal rattling. I took it to my local luthier for an inspection, and that revealed at least two loose braces.

Guitar Center's tech offered to send it to their specialist (a luthier in a nearby city), but a couple hours later called again and said they couldn't do it. I went back in to pick it up, and then to return it, but after a few phone calls to various regional managers, the store refunded me enough that I could get it repaired on my own.

45 days later, I picked it up again, with the complete list of repairs: replaced bridge, replaced bridge pad (the original was de-laminating), all top braces re-glued, one back brace re-glued, top cracks repaired, and the potential headstock crack found to just be two poorly-placed scratches. It's now about as close to a brand new guitar as you can get with 56 years of scratches.

I removed (most of) the logo from the Masterbilt Century Olympic case and stenciled on the 60s logo.

"

[QuestionMark]

Beautiful cool guitar!  And, story!

Looks like a great guitar to play!

 

QM aka “Jazzman” Jeff

ps.  The case looks really good, too!

[DrRogerFisher]

I have a 1963 (or 1964) FT45 Cortez looks like yours with tobacco burst; bought it for $50 in 1965. Best 50 bucks I ever spent. Been playing it ever since; it's aged beautifully in tone and appearance.

Here's a recent sample of my best friend in action:

 

[Jinder]

On 11/24/2020 at 7:22 PM, DrRogerFisher said:

I have a 1963 (or 1964) FT45 Cortez looks like yours with tobacco burst; bought it for $50 in 1965. Best 50 bucks I ever spent. Been playing it ever since; it's aged beautifully in tone and appearance.

Here's a recent sample of my best friend in action:

 

Beautiful! Is that a Lace California pickup?