Epiphone's New Masterbilt Century Archtops

New Models Deliver an Acoustic/Electric Archtop for the 21st Century

 

NASHVILLE (July 5, 2016) – Epiphone, the leader in affordable professional instruments, has announced the new Masterbilt Century Collection™, the first collection of archtop “acoustic/electric” guitars designed to be played and amplified as true acoustic instruments. 

 

 

Epiphone’s original Masterbilt archtops from the 1930s were renowned for their wide tonal range, punchy volume and warm, woody tone. Following the invention of the electric guitar pickup, most archtop acoustic guitars were transformed into “electric” guitars. The new Masterbilt Century Collection brings these worlds together with the eSonic™ HD preamp and Shadow NanoFlex™ HD Under-saddle pickup, allowing guitarists to plug in any Masterbilt Century archtop acoustic/electric into an amp or PA and hear the guitar’s true acoustic tone on any size stage. The Masterbilt Century archtop also creates a totally new experience for flattop guitarists.

 

 

With a selection of different sizes and styles, the new Masterbilt Century Collection features all Solid Spruce tops with classic longitudinal bracing that will sound better with continued play. The Collection also features a recreation of the historic Epiphone headstock with “mother of pearl” banner inlay, dual action truss rod, bone nut, historic aged nickel Epiphone 18:1 tuners, Ebony or Rosewood fretboards, and the cutting edge eSonic™ HD (High Definition) preamp system and Shadow NanoFlex™ HD Under-saddle pickup for true acoustic tone when plugged in.

 

The Masterbilt Century De Luxe (round hole) and De Luxe Classic (f-hole) recreate the legendary Epiphone full-body archtop tone. With a 17” lower bout, the De Luxe and De Luxe Classic are loud, full, and commanding.

 

The Masterbilt® Zenith (round hole) and Zenith Classic (f-hole) are medium-sized 16” archtops with an arched Solid Spruce top with traditional Longitudinal Bracing and a laminated Flame Maple body. Both are ideal rhythm instruments for singers and soloists. 

 

The Masterbilt® Olympic Acoustic/Electric Guitar is a smaller-sized archtop perfect for soloists and solo singers with an arched Solid Spruce top with traditional Longitudinal Bracing, a Mahogany body, and classic

f-holes. 

 

 

An optional custom Masterbilt Century Hard Case is available for each instrument.  Discover the Masterbilt Century Collection today at Epiphone.com for artist demonstrations, testimonials and more!

 

 

Visit the Masterbilt Century Collection Website: www.epiphone.com/MBCentury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Epiphone:  

 

For over 140 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in musical instrument design. Epiphone is home to the new Masterbilt Century Archtop Collection and the PRO-1 Collection of acoustic and electric guitars, designed by pros to be the easy to play. Epiphone is also the official instrument of Rocksmith, the critically acclaimed video experience that is teaching millions around the world how to play guitar and bass. From Epiphone’s humble beginnings in Sparta, Greece in 1873 through its rise to fame in Manhattan, and its reemergence as a dominant force in musical instruments from its new headquarters in Nashville, TN, Epiphone has remained the premier name for professional affordable string instruments. Epiphones are heard on over a century of classic recordings by Les Paul, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Joe Pass, John Lee Hooker, Oasis, and today’s top artists like Gary Clark Jr., Paul McCartney, Jack Casady, Dwight Yoakam, Tommy Thayer of KISS, Slash, Robb Flynn, Matt Heafy, Brent Hinds, Alabama Shakes, and Brendon Small. As part of Gibson Brands, Epiphone offers innovation, history, and a lifetime guarantee.