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Need help finding a vintage Thinline


moproducer

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Posted

I have been searching for years for this one. Back in 1971, with a class full of guitar players, a high school teacher of mine brought in her Epi thinline for the guys to gawk at. I had never seen a model like it before or since.

 

She told us that it had been given to her as a high school graduation gift. Judging from her age, I would guess that would put the axe at around 1960 to 66.

 

I don't want to waste everyone's time trying to guess what model it was, so let me make it known that it was NOT a Sheraton, Riviera, Casino, Professional, Century, Granada nor any other of the laminated pre-Japan, Kalamazoo-made models of the late '50s through the '60s.

 

This guitar was very similar in appearance to a Gibson Byrdland; it had a carved solid top, single cutaway, sunburst finish, Frequensator tailpiece, very elaborate mother-of-pearl work, two Humbuckers and a highly decorated pickguard/fender.

 

It was kinda like an older Zephyr Emperor Regent without all the switches, only with a thin body and two pickups. Any ideas?

Posted
I have been searching for years for this one. Back in 1971' date=' with a class full of guitar players, a high school teacher of mine brought in her Epi thinline for the guys to gawk at. I had never seen a model like it before or since.

 

She told us that it had been given to her as a high school graduation gift. Judging from her age, I would guess that would put the axe at around 1960 to 66.

 

I don't want to waste everyone's time trying to guess what model it was, so let me make it known that it was NOT a Sheraton, Riviera, Casino, Professional, Century, Granada nor any other of the laminated pre-Japan, Kalamazoo-made models of the late '50s through the '60s.

 

This guitar was very similar in appearance to a Gibson Byrdland; it had a carved solid top, single cutaway, sunburst finish, Frequensator tailpiece, very elaborate mother-of-pearl work, two Humbuckers and a highly decorated pickguard/fender.

 

It was kinda like an older Zephyr Emperor Regent without all the switches, only with a thin body and two pickups. Any ideas?

 

[/quote']

 

Electric arch tops don't usually have carved tops and this was one of the differences between the acoustic and electric New York Epiphones which makes the acoustic versions more desirable. From the description it could have been an Zephyr Deluxe though those weren't thin lines...but the Broadway was a thinner guitar in the Gibson era and matches your description but they were laminated not carved tops...I think you're probably mistaken about that aspect of the description. carved tops are usually reserved for higher end acoustic arch tops..there was also the Windsor but it had a trap tail piece and wasn't very elaborate but was probably more an appropriate high school graduation gift rather than an uber-expensive Emperor or Zephyr Deluxe which weren't thin lines...since you're so certain what it wasn't you're only left with what else it could possibly be..after thirty seven years your memory could be a bit faded...good luck in your quest.

 

Mr.Nelson

Posted

Mopro,

Welcome to the forum.

The only other thinlines I recall from those days that you guys haven't named were the Sorrento and the Caiola.

The Sorrento came in one and two pickup versions.

 

Good luck on your hunt.

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