Epiphone / Wilshire SB 432 / 1964 / Silver Fox / Guitar
This super rare 'custom color' 1964 Epiphone Wilshire weighs just 6.10 lbs. and has a nut width of 1 9/16 inches and a standard Gibson scale length of 24 3/4 inches. Solid mahogany body, one-piece mahogany neck with a medium-to-thin profile. Brazilian rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and inlaid pearl dot position markers. Black faced headstock with gold silk-screened "Epiphone" script logo. Six-on-one-side 'single-line' Kluson Deluxe tuners with oval metal buttons (secured by four screws). Two patent-number mini-humbucking pickups with black plastic surrounds and matching outputs of 7.15k and 7.16k, each with a rectangular black label on the underside with "Patent Number 2,737,842." Four controls (two volume, two tone) plus three-way selector switch, all mounted on pickguard. The potentiometers are stamped: "137 6XXX" (CTS - the last three numbers on each potentiometer are obscured by solder - but they all appear to be original). Non-original black plastic ribbed-sided control knobs with white markings. Three-layer tortoiseshell over white and black plastic pickguard with eight screws. Later Gibson Tune-O-Matic non-retainer bridge with black plastic saddles. Later stud-bar tailpiece fitted. Housed in the original Epiphone three-latch, shaped gray softshell case with blue felt lining (8.00).
This guitar originally had a factory Epiphone 'Tremotone' vibrola tailpiece which was removed by a former owner and a later stud-tail fitted. There are three small holes on the top of the body where the 'Tremotone' has been removed. At that time the pickguard was replaced and also the control knobs and strap buttons. The guitar has been expertly re-fretted with the correct gauge fret-wire. The original 'Silevr-Fox' finish on the back of the neck is quite worn and there are some areas of wear on the back of the body (down to the wood). The previous owner has engraved his name on the back of the headstock. There are a few small surface abrasions, marks and dings but overall this is a great playing and sounding little guitar in the very rare Silver-Fox finish at a fraction of the price of an all original and untouched example.
The Wilshire, Epiphone's equivalent of the Gibson SG Special, was added to the Epiphone solid body line in 1959 at around $195.00, but by 1962 the price tag had risen to $235.00. Originally it had two white P-90 pickups, no doubt left over from the Gibson Les Paul's conversion from P-90s to metal covered humbucking pickups. The white P-90s were replaced by black P-90s (which were still in use on some Gibson's) in 1961. In mid 1962 the p-90 pickups were replaced with patent number mini humbuckers. Later in 1963 the Wilshire's body shape became asymmetrical with the upper bass horn slightly longer than upper treble, and the headstock received six-on-a-side tuners. The price in 1965 was $265.00 + a huge $15 extra for the custom color!!
Fretted Americana , USA
We specialize in acquiring and offering the finest specimens of American vintage electric guitars with particular attention to those in their complete, original state. We are the only dealer to embrace a written code of ethics (in Terms & Conditions). We encourage you to read it.
HOW WE WORK
We want to inspire and win your trust and confidence. You don't want to have any negative surprises upon receipt of an instrument that you've invested yourself as well as your money into. Nor do you want any untoward surprises should you decide to sell it in the future.
To that end, every guitar that we offer is catalogued to a degree and depth of detail that is fast becoming the standard in the trade. When we declare an instrument to be completely original, it is. If it is not, we tell you exactly in what manner it has been altered.
We photograph each guitar at many angles to provide you with the broadest, clearest sense of its appearance. We will, upon request, provide you with images of all electronic components, inside and out.
Each guitar we acquire is skillfully and painstakingly dissected by David Brass, who is a trained luthier as well as a dealer and collector. All parts, no matter how small, are meticulously examined. We have an enviable reference library of wide breadth and scope that we refer to when necessary for crucial facts. The instrument is put under a black-light: original finish or refin? Even the most skillfully masked ding is uncovered. David then fastidiously reassembles the instrument. It is then cleaned with the finest products available for wood and metal.
An inspection certificate of authenticity signed by David is provided with every guitar you purchase.
We keep our inventory relatively small and highly select. We choose our guitars with extreme care so we can offer you the finest examples of the finest rare guitars in the world.
We are client focused to an extraordinary degree. If you expect or would like to be surprised by courteous, professional client service, we will pleased to accommodate that desire.
It is our fervent wish to establish a long-term relationship with you.
CODE OF ETHICS
We wish to establish an ongoing relationship with you based upon your trust in our knowledge and judgment.
To that end:
We meticulously inspect in detail every guitar that we offer. We check the finish, all of the electrical components, serial numbers, etc. With over thirty years of experience collecting and handling vintage guitars and our enormous reference library, we bring to bear all that is known about guitar manufacturers, models, and annual production.
We provide full, detailed descriptions and specs to each guitar.
We openly disclose any and all flaws we discover in writing. If the instrument is not completely “straight,” we will tell you so and why.
We endeavor to conduct ourselves to the highest standard of professional behavior.
We will deal fairly and ethically; no surprises, flim-flam, dubious business practices or shenanigans.
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We allow a full 48 hour honeymoon period when you buy a guitar from us. If you are not 100% satisfied with it we will refund the purchase price in full, less shipping, upon return of the guitar in the same condition as sold. Please call us before returning the instrument.
Please inspect your new guitar immediately upon receiving it. If any guitar we offer is found to be not as described, we will happily refund the full purchase price, less shipping, upon return of the guitar in the same condition as sold. Please call us before returning the instrument.