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Masterbilt Century Collection Zenith Classic F-Hole Archtop Acoustic-Electric Guitar

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Overview

Medium-sized acoustic-electric archtop with traditional bracing and f-holes.

The Masterbilt Zenith Classic Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a medium-sized archtop with an arched solid spruce
top with traditional Longitudinal bracing, a laminated flame maple body, and classic f-holes. Inside the upper hole is a 1930s-era replica Epiphone label. The Zenith Classic is available in traditional Vintage Natural and Vintage Sunburst aged gloss finishes, each with unique color tones inspired by Epiphone’s priceless vintage collection in
Nashville, Tennessee. The tortoise style pickguard comes unattached. Pickguard hardware comes included. 

Like Epi’s first generation of archtops, the modern Zenith Classic has a unique body profile with a 16” lower bout, a 11.6” upper bout, a 9.4” waist, and a body length slightly over 20”. Many archtop collectors consider a 16” archtop the ideal size for its concentrated sonic punch and overall tone. With its signature f-holes and solid spruce top, the Zenith Classic is an ideal rhythm instrument for singers and soloists.  And flattop guitarists will discover it can easily cut through a mix better than most any other acoustic. Both the body and top feature 3-layer ivory and black color binding while the ebony fingerboard has single layer ivory color binding. The f-holes have 2-layer binding. The 5-piece hard maple and mahogany neck has a full-rounded C profile that is glued to the body with a dovetail joint for a precise fit so the Zenith Classic will resonate as one piece of wood. The ebony fretboard has 20 medium frets, a 25.5” scale length, and pearloid "Falling Snowflakes” inlays modeled after the original Masterbilt Zeniths.

The compact tone of the Zenith Classic sounds beautiful unamplified on a small stage or in the studio. But now the cutting-edge eSonic HD (High Definition) preamp system and Shadow NanoFlex HD Under-saddle pickup make it possible for archtop players to hear their instrument amplified exactly as they hear it unplugged. No archtop player has ever heard an acoustic guitar more accurately represented through a sound system before. The Shadow NanoFlex HD Under-saddle pickup has easy-to-access controls for Master Volume and Master EQ mounted just inside the lower hole. Now you have complete control over how much of the acoustic guitar is
amplified.

The pre-amp system is powered by a standard 9-volt battery that is easy to access, located near the solid
nickel 1/4" output jack.

Historic Epiphone Hardware
The Zenith Classic comes with Historic Epiphone Re-issue Tuners with Marboloid "Crown" buttons with an
upgraded 18:1 tuning ratio for fast and accurate tuning.  The tuners are mounted on an Epiphone Dovewing
headstock with Pearloid "Banner" logos. Unlike many vintage archtops, the Zenith Classic has a dual action truss rod for easy and perfect set-up. The floating adjustable ebonoid bridge is made from a synthesized material that has the grain-like texture and look of ebony but is harder and more reliable for years of playing. The historic aged all-nickel trapeze tailpiece is also inspired from Epiphone’s vintage Masterbilt collection. Every new Masterbilt Century guitar is setup at the factory with Cleartone 12-53 gauge strings.

Case sold separately.

Limited lifetime guarantee
The Epiphone Masterbilt® Zenith Classic Acoustic-Electric Guitar comes with a limited lifetime guarantee and world renown 24/7/365 Gibson Customer Service.

Epiphone’s Masterbilt Century Collection
Epiphone’s first Masterbilt arch tops quickly rose to popularity during the 1930s “Big Band” era and were renowned
for their warm woody tone, wide tonal range and punchy volume.  However, with the invention of the electric guitar pickup, archtop acoustic guitars quickly became equipped with magnetic amplification and were for the most part, forever transformed into “electric” guitars. Until now…

Epiphone, a leader in affordable professional archtop guitars, reinvents the archtop again by combining their original, time-tested designs with 21st century guitar electronics to bring you the Masterbilt Century Collection. The collection of arch top “acoustic-electric” guitars designed to be played amplified as true acoustic instruments. Just play one and you will immediately feel and hear the difference between today’s common “flat top” acoustic guitar and the unique voice of a Masterbilt Century.

Now with the eSonic™ HD preamp and Shadow NanoFlex HD Under-saddle pickup, you can plug in any Masterbilt Century archtop acoustic/electric into an amp or any PA and hear your guitar’s beautiful and dynamic true acoustic tone on any size stage.  For flattop guitarists who have only played old plywood archtops, the sound of a Masterbilt Century guitars will be a revelation.

Features

Body
  • Body type: Archtop
  • Cutaway: Non-cutaway
  • Top wood: Solid Spruce
  • Back & sides: Laminated Flame Maple
  • Bracing pattern: Longitudal
  • Body finish: Aged Gloss
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Rounded C
  • Nut width: 1.69 in. (43 mm)
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Neck wood: Hard Maple/Mahogany
  • Scale length: 25.5 in.
  • Number of frets: 20
  • Neck finish: Aged Gloss
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: Yes
  • Brand: Shadow
  • Configuration: Undersaddle piezo
  • Preamp EQ: 3-band
  • Feedback filter: Phase
  • Tuner: Yes
Other
  • Headstock overlay: Ebony
  • Tuning machines: Historic Epiphone Reissue Tuners with Marboloid "Crown" buttons
  • Bridge: Floating Adjustable Ebonoid
  • Saddle & nut: Compensated Artificial Bone/Bone
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Special features: Body shape
  • Case: Sold separately 
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: Indonesia

If you want a modern guitar with the vintage vibe, this is the instrument for you. Order today!

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  • Free Standard Ground shipping (48 contiguous states, some overweight and Used/Vintage items excluded).
  • Orders placed before 3 p.m. ET usually ship the same business day.
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