Epiphone / FT-45 Cortez / 1964 / Sunburst / Guitar
A killer sounding, Kalamazoo made Epiphone Cortez from 1964. Very clean, all original and with the original soft shell case and hang tag. If you’re into folk sized acoustics then this could be your perfect guitar. Plays effortlessly and has a punchy, focused, sweet tone that will sit well in any mix.
Originally produced between 1959 and 1969 at Gibson’s Kalamazoo factory the Epiphone Cortez was essentially a rebranded Gibson LG2/B25. Featuring a mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck, X braced spruce top, rosewood fingerboard and an adjustable rosewood bridge.
This example is totally original (with the exception of the strap buttons) and in superb shape with no breaks or repairs. There is some light and attractive lacquer checking and a handful of small nicks and dings along with some light surface scratches but the overall condition is excellent to near mint.
The neck features a medium to chunky C profile with a 1 10/16" nut width that plays effortlessly and is fairly typical of the highly regarded ’64 profile that Gibson used on many of their guitars during this period. Once you pick this one up it’s hard to put it down again.
Strum an open chord and the volume and depth of the tone that comes out belies the folk size dimensions of the body. It’s a tight, focused, punchy tone that has a warm bottom end, sweet midrange and a nicely defined top end. This will make a great recording acoustic with a tone that will sit well in any mix.
This Cortez really is a killer. If you’ve been on the lookout for a vintage folk sized acoustic (such as a Gibson LG-2 or a Martin 00) or are looking for an acoustic to use in the studio then this one is right up there with the best of them.
Comes with its original soft shell case along with the original hang tag and an old sales receipt from Chandler Guitars.
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20th Century Toys, UK
UK based vintage and vintage reissue dealer. We hand select original vintage guitars and limited edition reissues.