From Epiphone:
Epiphone’s first Masterbilt archtops 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…
Epiphone, the leader in affordable professional archtop guitars, reinvents the archtop again by combining our original, time-tested designs with 21st century acoustic guitar electronics to bring you the new Masterbilt Century Collection™. The first collection of archtop “acoustic/electric” guitars designed to be played and 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. Plug one in and prepare to be amazed! Really. You have to hear it to believe it.
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. Get ready for a totally new acoustic guitar experience!
Finish: Aged Gloss
Hardware: Aged Nickel
Top: Solid Spruce; Longitudinal Bracing
Body: Laminated Flame Maple
Body Dimensions: Lower Bout = 17”, Upper Bout = 12.6”, Waist = 10.25”, Body Length = 21″
Neck: 5-pc Laminated; Hard Maple/Mahogany
Neck Profile: Rounded “C” shape
Preamp: eSonic™ HD (High Definition)
Controls: Master Volume & Master EQ
Pickup: Shadow NanoFlex™ HD; Under-saddle
Power: 9 Volt Battery
Output Jack: 1/4″
Truss Rod: Dual-Action
Truss Rod Cover: Black PVC “Bullet”; 1-layer
Neck Joint: Dovetail; Glued-In
Fingerboard: Ebony
F’Brd Inlay: Pearloid “Notched Diamond”
Headstock: Historic Epiphone Dovewing with Pearloid “Banner” logos
Tuners: Historic Epiphone Reissue Tuners with Marboloid “Crown” buttons; Improved to 18:1 ratio
Frets: 20; Medium
Nut: Bone
Nut Width: 1.69″ (43mm)
Scale Length: 30.5″
Bridge: Floating Adjustable; Ebonoid
Saddle: Compensated; Artificial Bone
Tailpiece: Historic Epiphone Trapeze
Binding: Body Top – 3-Layer, Body Back – 3-Layer, Fingerboard – 1-Layer, Headstock – None, “F” Hole – None
Pickguard: Imitation Tortoise
Strap Buttons: Yes
Serial Number: 1930’s Era Replica Soundhole Label