Epiphone FT-79 Texan • 1958 • Extraordinary Original Condition • Natural

This 1958 Epiphone FT-79 Texan has 
survived in fantastic original condition with no changed parts or 
significant wear. It’s got loads of volume and mid range rumble.
The 
setup is excellent and it’s really a joy to play. It has a natural top and is the hard to find early version with short peg head with a pearl inlaid script logo.
This has the original Kluson tuners with original buttons, early metal pressed "bubble" truss rod cover.

FON # Z 5832 34
Created the 32th week of 1958

Repairs include a bridge reglue and a perfect David Petillo light fret dress.
There are no visible repairs, no breaks, no cracks.
The guitar is in extraordinary playing condition and is ready to go
 on the road or play in your studio.
The finish is pretty extraordinary and relatively unmarred considering it is 64 years old.
It shows 
very little finish checking typical of nitrocellulose finishes this old.

The action is 1/8th" medium low with great 
break angle over the original saddle.
Perfect for fingerpicking with a clear articulate voice.

The original case is it's original

 50's Gibson faux alligator soft case that is in fair structural and fair
 cosmetic 
condition.
While the string compartment lid is no longer attached, it does come with a used set of Gibson strings found in the string compartment in the case.
This guitar ships in a modern hard case, the original soft case ships empty and separately.

The Epiphone FT-79 model made quite a transition when the Gibson company purchased Epiphone in 1957.
The FT-79 had previously been made with a long scale neck and a peanut 
shaped body with an arched back.
The Gibson acquisition meant that many 
of the half finished parts from the old Epiphone factory were shipped from 
New York, NY to Kalamazoo, MI.

Like many of the 1957-1960 Epiphones, 
Gibson mated leftover Epiphone necks to Gibson made bodies.
Transitional 
Texans with Epiphone made necks are quite rare, first shown at the 1958 Namm show were only produced until the 1960 model year.

The wider 
Epiphone headstock has a metal "bubble" truss rod cover quite differently shaped from 
Gibson's, with the Epiphone name is inlaid 
in pearl script at the top.
The unbound rosewood fingerboard has pearl 
trapezoid block fingerboard inlay.

This rare transitional Epiphone FT-79 Texan has all the cool features that discerning collectors and players look for.
The mid to late 1950s round shoulder J bodies are highly regarded for their stunning good looks, build quality and tonal response.
The long scale New York 
made Epiphone neck adds a bit more drive to the top that gives the Texan
 a bit more volume and low end rumble.
These features combined with the 
unique historical provenance add together for a very cool package for 
both the player and the collector

Specifications:

Brand: Epiphone
Year: 1958
Serial Number: A1520
Model: FT-79 Texan
Finish Type: Original nitrocellulose lacquer
Finish Color: Natural
Top Wood: Solid spruce
Body Wood: Solid mahogany
Binding: Black/White/Black
Bracing: X
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Joint: Dovetail
Neck Shape: C profile, see pic of neck contour.
Fingerboard Material: Brazilian rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay: Mother of Pearl, Parallelograms
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1 11/16th
Nut Material: Plastic
Pickguard: Tortoise shell
Tuners: Original nickel Kluson single line
Bridge: Backward J-45-Style rosewood bridge
Bridge Pins: Plastic
Saddle: Plastic

This guitar ships FEDEX insured outside of Reverb's shipping program because Reverb only insures to 5000.00.  
Additionally, there is no shipping discount because of that.
We'll ship on your FEDEX number if you prefer, then the only shipping charge is for the 2 boxes.