EA-225

[RobinTheHood]

Has anybody heard of or know anything about the Epiphone EA-225? I cant find any official documentation or proof of existence in any catalogues, but I have found references to them on other forums and such. I have also found a couple of pics. The weird part is that one pic looked like an EA-250 and the other an EA-255. The EA-255 Riviera-style actually showed a pic of the sound-hole label that said "EA-225" and a serial. However, I couldnt find any differences, visually, between the two different EA-225's and pics of the 250 & 255 when comparing.

 

Anyone have any ideas or knowledge of the 225? I've already searched high and low on the internet, several times over the course of a couple months. Any help would be awesome!

 

 

[Parabar]

I don't think those Matsumoku era model numbers meant much. Some were called Casinos, some Rivieras, and a variety of model numbers seem to have been used for what appears to be the identical guitar. I came across one catalog listing from that era with the same guitar called a "T5102." To paraphrase Shakespeare, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and a 70's Matsumoku Epi by any other number will still be a stinkeroo."

[brianh]

Robin, according to the price lists in Carter's Epiphone, the Complete History, the first thinline "Electric Acoustic" double cutaway model 5102 showed up in 1970 for $135. In 1972 it was listed as the 5102T and the price dropped to $115.

 

The subsequent model EA-250 first showed up as the only semi-hollow in 1972 ($119.50) and again in 1973 ($144.50). There's a three year gap in the book, but then in 1976 the EA-250 appears to have been replaced by the EA-255 (no price listed).

 

I see no reference to an EA-225, so it may be another phantom model like the Genesis "GN" student model, a typo, or a Japan/USA translation fubar.

 

By 1979, no "Electric Acoustic" models are listed, although the September 1,1982 pricelist shows 2 Emperors, a Sheraton, Casino and Riviera, heralding the move out of the dark age of Epi into the modern era of quality-made products.

[RobinTheHood]

I don't think those Matsumoku era model numbers meant much. Some were called Casinos, some Rivieras, and a variety of model numbers seem to have been used for what appears to be the identical guitar. I came across one catalog listing from that era with the same guitar called a "T5102." To paraphrase Shakespeare, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and a 70's Matsumoku Epi by any other number will still be a stinkeroo."

I'm leaving out the "Casino, Riviera, ETC." designations for these models to avoid confusion. There is enough of that between the American and Japanese models as well as the ES designations...which I'm still debating on how to go about listing with minimal confusion. I'm aware of the the 5102 and 5102T models numbers. There was also 5102TE for the same guitar. I wasnt aware of the T5102 number though. Yikes. Those really were the "dark ages" for Epiphone, as Brian said.

 

 

Robin, according to the price lists in Carter's Epiphone, the Complete History, the first thinline "Electric Acoustic" double cutaway model 5102 showed up in 1970 for $135. In 1972 it was listed as the 5102T and the price dropped to $115.

 

The subsequent model EA-250 first showed up as the only semi-hollow in 1972 ($119.50) and again in 1973 ($144.50). There's a three year gap in the book, but then in 1976 the EA-250 appears to have been replaced by the EA-255 (no price listed).

 

I see no reference to an EA-225, so it may be another phantom model like the Genesis "GN" student model, a typo, or a Japan/USA translation fubar.

 

By 1979, no "Electric Acoustic" models are listed, although the September 1,1982 pricelist shows 2 Emperors, a Sheraton, Casino and Riviera, heralding the move out of the dark age of Epi into the modern era of quality-made products.

Thanks, Brian. I think I'll just make a small entry calling it a "Phantom" guitar with some explanation of sorts. My thoughts were that it was a typo or a fubar. I know all about typos! I've found hundreds of them while going back through the wiki so far. This might be the case.

[brianh]

Here's a dude wants $425 for a 5102T: http://philadelphia....2510631633.html

 

It's in original condition, but with the neck pocket problems these guitars are notorius for, I'm thinking it's worth about half that.

[RobinTheHood]

I'd have to agree. I'm not really a big fan of the EA guitars anyhow. I'm not even sure that I would pay $100 for one. I guess I would have to REALLY want it. I kind of dig the ET's though.