This piece is very special to us. This 1951 Epiphone Zephyr Emperor VariTone in Natural, serial# 63207, is from the Akira Tsumura collection. It can be found on page 41 of the limited print "Guitars: The Tsumura Collection" book by Akira Tsumira. This superb instrument is the ultimate in electronic guitars. The Emperor has SIX distinctly different tonal effects derived from its three individual pickups-all instantly produced with push-button ease! Further variations are achieved by merely adjusting the tone control-almost an unlimited choice of tone coloring! The Emperor laminated neck has 72 separate precision operations by Epiphone’s meticulous craftsmen; its cutaway feature allows full freedom of the left hand all the way to the 22nd fret. Closed-gear machine heads (16-1 ratio) allow quick, easy tuning, and the Frequensator tailpiece automatically sets string length for fullest frequency response. The Emperor’s appearance matches its performance-with pearl inlaid Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, and its large body made of highly flamed Maple back & sides & arched-Spruce top. All accessories are richly Gold-plated. The guitar needs some extra TLC. She has some lacquer wear near the cutaway, and is sans its guard. The pups have been painted gold (ooh lala!). The binding is in need of some help on the fretboard and around the guitar. She stills holds a special place in our hearts, and will forever be an iconic piece. 

According to Archtopdotcom: "Making its debut in 1951, the Zephyr Emperor was Epiphone's electric version of their legendary Emperor Regent cutaway acoustic archtop. The first examples bore the designation "Zephyr Emperor Vari-Tone" after the unique six pushbutton pickup selector switch system. (The Vari-Tone designation was quickly dropped after a few months, one might guess after a reminder that Gibson had been using the same term for their patented tailpiece height adjuster for over a decade.) Renamed the Zephyr Emperor Regent, and finally simply the Emperor Electric, the big guitar was Epi's top-of-the line electric model, equivalent in price and prestige to its main competitor, the Gibson Super 400CES, which was introduced that same year."

The guitar comes with its original Episilon-logo hardshell case.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 8lbs 2oz

Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Fretboard Radius: 9.5"

Body Length: 21 3/4"

Upper Bout Width: 12 3/8"

Lower Bout Width: 18 3/8"

Body Depth: 3 3/8"

Scale: 25 1/2"

In our 30+ years of business, Customer Service has always been of the utmost importance to us. Every call, email and inquiry will be answered. We are happy to offer full descriptions of condition and sound of all of our instruments to the best of our expertise. 

PLEASE NOTE: All sales are final, as we have a No Return Policy. International Shipping Rates listed are ESTIMATES ONLY! Please contact us for precise shipping outside of the U.S. International Shipping Rates listed are ESTIMATES ONLY!