Members Midcitysaint Posted March 26, 2008 Members Share Posted March 26, 2008 Hey guys my dad gave me an Epiphone Excellente' acoustic guitar that he had for years. It sat in my old bedroom closet at my mom's house for about 5 years and I forgot I even had it until he reminded me of it. At first I didn't believe him but then I dug and sure enough, amidst boxes of junk that I have no idea why I kept for all these years, there sat a very dusty cardboard/fiberboard hardshell case. I opened her up and found this inside.It's very beautiful and sounds like nothing I own, very, very musical and full. But what is the story on these? I cannot find anything on Epi's website on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jd-drafter Posted March 26, 2008 Members Share Posted March 26, 2008 look's like a gibson hummingbird copy... but a very nice one- here are a few reviews i found... this review from 2001 list's the price as $399.00 as a close out price and listed at over $1600.00http://www.musicgearreview.com/review-display/733.html here is a history of epiphone- with an excellente' shown and mentioned about 1/2 way down the page... http://www.epiphone.com/history.asp and from a page about collectible epiphones... Epiphone FT120 Excellente flat top. Collectibility Rating: B. The fanciest flat top produced during this period by Gibson. Brazilian rosewood back and sides makes it collectible. 1965 to 1970 models worth less than 1963-1964 models with bigger necks. Too bad this model didn't have "slope shoulders", or it would be top in it's class (most collectors don't like Gibson's square shoulder dreadnought designs). Square shoulder dreadnought shape, rosewood back and sides, tune-o-matic bridge, large pointed pickguard with engraved eagle, multiple bound top, back, and ebony fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, large pearl and abalone peghead inlay, single bound peghead, gold plated parts, natural top finish. Introduced in 1963. Discontinued 1970. http://www.provide.net/~cfh/epiphon2.html about 3/4 of the way down the page... nice guitar... hope this info helps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Midcitysaint Posted March 26, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 26, 2008 Mine is Korean and I've been the owner of several other Epiphones, Seagulls, Art & Lutherie and even a hand full of Ovations and a Takamine and this one smokes them all with the exception of the Art & Lutherie which is a 12 string and definitely in a class of it's own. But if the job calls for a six string I by default go to this guitar. The one thing that drives me nuts however is the width of the fretboard towards the nut which is tapered. The Seagulls that I have become accustomed to playing are much wider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted March 27, 2008 Members Share Posted March 27, 2008 Darn. I was going to offer you two thousand bucks for it. Original 60's USA Epiphone Excellentes are probably the nicest flattop guitar Gibson ever made. Especially the 60's ones. Not only are they Brazilian rosewood, but they are Gibson made. They're also extremely rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted March 27, 2008 Members Share Posted March 27, 2008 Loretta Lynn has played one for quite a while...while not a virtuoso, she plays a decent rhythm and has used her customized Excellente to write a lot of great songs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Midcitysaint Posted March 27, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 27, 2008 All I know is that Korean or not, it is one of the finest and most unique acoustics I have ever played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mooseguy Posted June 16, 2008 Members Share Posted June 16, 2008 Glad to know you like your Korean made Excellent-I have owned two in the past and they are great guitars. I am looking for a genuine 63-69 Excellente which are hard to find but are out there somewhere. I offer a spotting reward if you hear of one for sale. Moosed.dogs@verizon.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mooseguy Posted June 19, 2008 Members Share Posted June 19, 2008 Originally Posted by jd-drafter look's like a gibson hummingbird copy... but a very nice one- here are a few reviews i found... this review from 2001 list's the price as $399.00 as a close out price and listed at over $1600.00http://www.musicgearreview.com/review-display/733.htmlhere is a history of epiphone- with an excellente' shown and mentioned about 1/2 way down the page... http://www.epiphone.com/history.aspand from a page about collectible epiphones... Epiphone FT120 Excellente flat top. Collectibility Rating: B. The fanciest flat top produced during this period by Gibson. Brazilian rosewood back and sides makes it collectible. 1965 to 1970 models worth less than 1963-1964 models with bigger necks. Too bad this model didn't have "slope shoulders", or it would be top in it's class (most collectors don't like Gibson's square shoulder dreadnought designs). Square shoulder dreadnought shape, rosewood back and sides, tune-o-matic bridge, large pointed pickguard with engraved eagle, multiple bound top, back, and ebony fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, large pearl and abalone peghead inlay, single bound peghead, gold plated parts, natural top finish. Introduced in 1963. Discontinued 1970. http://www.provide.net/~cfh/epiphon2.html about 3/4 of the way down the page... nice guitar... hope this info helps... ATTENTION:YOUR METAL CUTAWAY LOOKS TERRIFIC!DOES IT HAVE A DOBRO SOUND?HOW AND WHERE CAN I ORDER ONE?APPRECIATING HEARING FROM YOUMOOSEEMAIL: d.dogs@verizon.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members burkedajerk88 Posted June 19, 2008 Members Share Posted June 19, 2008 woah, i've never seen that before actually. Now i REALLY want one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members spiritofsparta Posted June 30, 2008 Members Share Posted June 30, 2008 Originally Posted by Midcitysaint Hey guys my dad gave me an Epiphone Excellente' acoustic guitar that he had for years. It sat in my old bedroom closet at my mom's house for about 5 years and I forgot I even had it until he reminded me of it. At first I didn't believe him but then I dug and sure enough, amidst boxes of junk that I have no idea why I kept for all these years, there sat a very dusty cardboard/fiberboard hardshell case. I opened her up and found this inside.It's very beautiful and sounds like nothing I own, very, very musical and full. But what is the story on these? I cannot find anything on Epi's website on them. Been looking for a Korean copy. Hit me up if you want to sell it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FREDSTUFF52 Posted August 5, 2009 Members Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hello, there is quite a bit of Mis-imfomation on these guitars.Even the Gibson factory in Bozeman Montana has their wires crossed up as to the actual info on these "Hidden Gems".First let me dispell the rumor that they sell anywhere around 399.00 used.Well, the latest price which was on eBay 3 months ago,the guitar actually sold for 1250.00 with a hardcase.They are xBraced and forward shifted too and produce a beautiful rich, full sound not unlike a new D28 Standard.Your guitar is a natural top and Gibson first produced only natural finish Excellente's in 1984 which came from their plant in Japan. In 1989 Gibson again produced the Excellente'but this time made in Korea and in a Tobacco Sunburst only and this guitar was a dog because they(Gibson) buried the tone with a gaudy heavy duty Poly finish thus keeping the guitar from ever producing any type of a tone other than a "dead fart" thump!!!Enjoy your guitar its a beauty and really one of the best kept secrets out there, I know, I own one too....Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Yamaha Junkie Posted August 5, 2009 Members Share Posted August 5, 2009 I started digging for the photo's....mine was not an Excelente, it was an Elite. Heres the pix anyway ( I spent 15 minutes digging in my Photobucket list!The one I had was a Japanese J200 Elite. It was a wonderful blond Bomb Shell. Huge tone, also a bout over 17". To big for the couch. Nice Nice guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boxorox Posted August 5, 2009 Members Share Posted August 5, 2009 We'v heard a lot of opinions about what you should do with this guitar. Where and when it was made, by whom, out of what. But if I were in your place, I'd have it set up and I would keep it. It's a good guitar, and it was your father's. Buy, sell, trade, you'll never get that back again. Keep it. Maybe you can sell it for a lot of money. Maybe you can get a "better" modern guitar. It's VALUE to you might be greater than it's WORTH on the market. Heck, I'd never sell my Dad's guitar. And he never owned one as good as you got. Man, I gotta go check my closets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cellkimball Posted November 29, 2010 Members Share Posted November 29, 2010 I have an Epiphone Excellente FT 550. It appears to have Brazilian Rosewood sides and back, pearl inlays on the neck, and beautiful inlays on the back. For those of you in the know, what is something like this worth today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stratmagik87 Posted January 1, 2013 Members Share Posted January 1, 2013 Hey man, The only time they made those in Korea was from '96-'99... As a reissue. There were several models before it, the model history is significant. Original:1963-1970. Manufactured in Kalamazoo, MI. Woods used were Adirondack Spruce, Brazilian Rosewood, maple/ rosewood (7pc) neck, porcelain saddle (thru '65) and later an ebony saddle. Kluson tuners, real mother of pear inlays. That guitar, for historical/ material value alone would be worth quite a bit! They did a '93 (Gibson Custom, Epiphone brand) and a '94 (100th anniversary model) out of the Bozeman factory under the Epiphone name as well. This had Indian Rosewood/ Sitka spruce, and some cheaper materials (non- metal tuners... still Kluson) The Korean made reissue ran from '96-99 and consisted of all solid woods, same spec as the American ones, but made in a large-box factory. Important notes: The '93 model was made by 2 luthiers and had a smaller production run. All guitars are made with solid woods and it seems like they will all be great players. If you happen on the Kalamazoo model or the '93 handmade, you will probably have some collectors value in there as well. Figure out what it is, set it up, and play it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stratmagik87 Posted January 1, 2013 Members Share Posted January 1, 2013 Mother of pearl** Great Sp error! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Klorack Posted January 1, 2013 Members Share Posted January 1, 2013 Well all I can say it "Congrats!" on the family pass down! I think it makes it even better that it was your Dads at one time and now its yours. Being that it has history in your family makes it priceless in my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted January 1, 2013 Members Share Posted January 1, 2013 Originally Posted by Klorack Well all I can say it "Congrats!" on the family pass down! I think it makes it even better that it was your Dads at one time and now its yours. Being that it has history in your family makes it priceless in my eyes. Absolutely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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