Product Description

The Masterbilt Zenith Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a medium-sized archtop with an arched solid spruce top with traditional Longitudinal bracing, a laminated flame maple body, and a round sound hole. Inside the sound hole is a 1930s-era replica EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e label. The Zenith is available in traditional Vintage Natural and Vintage Sunburst aged gloss finishes, each with unique color tones inspired by EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e’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 Zenith 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 round sound hole and Solid Spruce top, the Zenith is an ideal rhythm instrument for singers and soloists with a fuller tone than most archtops. 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 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 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.A 21st Century Archtop with eSonic HD preamp and traditional “round” sound hole
The full tone of the Zenith 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. The Shadow NanoFlex HD Under-saddle pickup has easy-to-access controls for Master Volume and Master EQ mounted just inside the sound 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 1/4” output jack.

Historic EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e Hardware
The Zenith comes with Historic EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e 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 EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e Dovewing headstock with Pearloid "Banner" logos. Unlike many vintage archtops, the Zenith has a dual action truss rod to allow 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 EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e’s vintage Masterbilt collection. Every new Masterbilt Century guitar is setup at the factory with Cleartone 12-53 gauge strings.

Case sold separately.
EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e’s Masterbilt Century Collection
EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e’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…

EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e, 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.

Body Body type:Archtop Cutaway:Non-cutaway Top wood:SolidSpruce Back & sides:LaminatedFlame 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 EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e Reissue Tuners with Marboloid "Crown" buttons Bridge:Floating Adjustable Ebonoid Saddle & nut:CompensatedArtificial Bone/Bone Number of strings:6-string Special features:Body shape Case: Sold separately Accessories:None Country of origin:Indonesia

Order this special archtop now.

Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage

Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.

Gold Coverage Includes:

Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidity

Other plan features include:

For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear

*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details

Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.

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I'm 49 yrs. old and have played for about 35 yrs. That being said, I had high hopes for this guitar after watching and reading so much about it, but it's just okay.
It's built great and all of the details are there, but it's really very awkward to play and the tone is just okay. The fretboard sits about 2 inches above the top of the guitar where it joins the body so it doesn't play like an acoustic or an electric guitar. I never could find a position, sitting or standing, where I felt like it "fit" me. The finish is a flat satin and overall it feels really blah like a 150 buck Rogue guitar. I'm not a guitar snob by any means, my go - to guitar is a Taylor GS mini, but it just really didn't move me at all, which is disappointing to me.
I returned the guitar and I am glad I did.
Epiphone Masterbilt Century Collection Zenith Archtop Acoustic-Electric Guitar Vintage Natural
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