frenchie1281734003 Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 My friend has been offered a 1930`s Epiphone Masterbilt Apollo archtop guitar in a trade, which the owner claims is an export model, and as I know a little bit about Epiphones he asked me if I knew anything. Well it`s a guitar I haven`t heard of before, and having gone through all my resource material I am still none the wiser, so I thought I`d open it out to knowledgeable forum members. May get some photo`s over the next day or so, which may help. Steve. P.S. There was a U.S. made Epiphone Apollo model in the the early 90`s, but this was an electric guitar styled on the flying V but with a bolt-on neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 All Epiphones were made in the USA until 1970. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 ... P.S. There was a U.S. made Epiphone Apollo model in the the early 90`s, but this was an electric guitar styled on the flying V but with a bolt-on neck. It was not uncommon for 70's - 90's for the makers of Epiphones to borrow model names from historic Epiphones and apply them to the newer made models. Sometimes these models were similar to their earlier name sakes, sometimes not. I have no knowledge of 1930's models, but "Apollo" could be accurate. This site: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/epiphone.html has some historical information which may help you. While this guy does appear knowledgeable, he does state that Epiphone was owned at one time by Conn, which is not accurate. I couldn't find many model names from the 30's, but there is a serial number sequence matrix which may help you date this guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 While this guy does appear knowledgeable, he does state that Epiphone was owned at one time by Conn, which is not accurate. Kind of. Epiphone was at one point owned by the same company that owned CG Conn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnl Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 The Fisch and Fred book says the Apollo was an archtop introduced in 1937 and sold in England, but only for a few years. It says the model had a spruce top, a sycamore body, segmented f-holes, and a bound pickguard. The book says it cost less than the Olympic; and that the mix of features has led to speculation that they may have been produced by Regal for Epiphone. There aren't any pictures in the book, so please post some if available! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 The Fisch and Fred book says the Apollo was an archtop introduced in 1937 and sold in England, but only for a few years. It says the model had a spruce top, a sycamore body, segmented f-holes, and a bound pickguard. The book says it cost less than the Olympic; and that the mix of features has led to speculation that they may have been produced by Regal for Epiphone. There aren't any pictures in the book, so please post some if available! Thanks for that John, just the kind of info I need. My friend now has some photo`s, so I will see if we can get them up on here. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus20VT Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Thanks for that John, just the kind of info I need. My friend now has some photo`s, so I will see if we can get them up on here. Steve. Here we go.. Pics!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnl Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Wow! That's a nice looking guitar! Except for the tuners, it looks all original too. Thanks for the pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus20VT Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Thanks JohnL Apart from the tuners, the Gent selling it has also told me the bridge isn't the original either. This is a rosewood bridge that he had made, the original ebony bridge cames with the guitar, but apparently its a lot better with the new one. He has also told me this guitar comes from a Denmark Street dealer, which is a famous area for guitars in London - so that would fit to the information about the Apollo being made for the UK market. I think maybe the pickguard is not original either as it maybe should be bound? I appreciate all info, Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterbuilt Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Great info and photos - thanks! Interesting: the headstock decal is the same as on the early/mid 1930s Epiphone Olympic (see my Avatar). Question: Is there an internal label with model name and serial number? Felix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Not familiar with the model but those segmented f holes do date the instrument to the first half of the 1930s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 that thing belongs in the Epiphone museum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinBelgium Posted February 6, 2021 Share Posted February 6, 2021 (edited) Hey everybody. I own a similar guitar that I could never identify for certain. Maybe you can help me. It sure sounds great. And boy, does it look great! I found it here in Belgium and paid 250 euros for it... I put some pics in the WeTransfer link , if you have any info... https://we.tl/t-s6JAZhuPiz Martin Edited February 6, 2021 by MartinBelgium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted February 6, 2021 Share Posted February 6, 2021 I think it's an Apollo. That was a model produced for export to Britain, so it is more likely to be found in Europe than other models. However, it is believed that they were actually produced by Regal (Lyon & Healy) in Chicago, not by Epiphone in New York. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttley Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 I recently saw online an Epiphone Apollo sold by Musiclocker of Derby UK Description makes me think I have owned the same model for 30yrs but never seen another no matter how much searching. Any offering of thoughts would be most welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttley Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Also has a serial No in low 200's stamped at top of headstock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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