This 1936 Epiphone Olympic is one of those guitars that immediately takes you back to the early days of the archtop. Compact, characterful, and well-played in. A rare find from an era when Epiphone was still fully competing for the favor of the working jazz musician.

In the 1930s, Epiphone was one of Gibson's serious competitors in the archtop market. The Olympic was the entry-level model in the archtop range, but that certainly did not mean that essentials were compromised. The guitar features a carved spruce top on a mahogany back, a combination that provides a clear, projecting sound with plenty of warmth in the bass. These are exactly the qualities a jazz musician needed in a busy bar or pub.

During its lifetime, this particular example received a refret and a new clear lacquer on the back and sides, making it look like new again. The back of the neck and the front of the headstock have also been given a new finish. The modern Golden Age Restoration tuning machines complement the guitar's vintage character beautifully. There are some imperfections in the top, and a crack in the top near the tailpiece has been repaired. Otherwise, the wear and the broken-in appearance of the top are exactly what you would expect from an instrument that has lasted ninety years, and that is undoubtedly a plus point here!

Consignment.