1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent Tenor Electric Archtop Guitar – Used

When the tenor banjo’s popularity faded in the 1930s & ’40s, the tenor guitar took its place as so many people had mastered the tenor tuning. And when guitars got amplified, tenor arch tops like this Epiphone were the result. With a rare DeArmond bar pickup and great refret, this is plugged-in tenor guitar playing at its finest, although the 17-inch body gives you lots of acoustic tone as well.

This example is remarkably original from tuners to tailpiece (including the pickup, bridge, tailpiece and pickguard), and what Epiphone called an “Ivory blond” finish is in amazing condition. Epiphone paper label on back under the bass-side f hole is somewhat faded but serial number and model code are still legible. The finish shows the usual lacquer crazing, and the celluloid pickguard is wrinkled from age.

Epiphone hardshell case (with big “E” imprint on underside of the lid) shows lots wear to the outer covering but the interior is well-preserved.