Cortez Guitars Serial Number Lookup bltlly.com/14g1xn. F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models This newest serial number system used by Epiphone is not yet completely deciphered. 'F' doesn't refer to 'Fine, Korea' - nor to 'Fuji-gen, Japan' - New 'F' models are made in China. Afes software foundation design free download. This serial number system doesn't exactly tell the year - and doesn't tell the month at all.
Gibson reintroduced the Epiphone FT-45 in 1958 as the Kalamazoo made FT-45 Cortez model. This model was the equivalent of the Gibson B-25 and had mahogany neck, back and sides, unlike the original 1940s FT-45's walnut back and sides and cherry neck.
Finish colors | natural finish |
Finish effects | sunburst finish |
Made in | USA |
Binding | white binding |
Number of strings | 6 strings |
Scale length | 24.75 inches scale-length |
Body back material | mahogany body back |
Body depth | 4.25 inches body depth |
Body sides material | mahogany body sides |
Body top material | spruce body top |
Body width | 14.375 inches body, 14.5 inches body |
Pickguard material | tortoiseshell pickguard |
Soundhole | round soundhole |
Bridge pins | white pins |
Bridge | adjustable bridge, rosewood bridge |
Tuners | Kluson Sealfast tuners |
Fingerboard inlay material | pearl fingerboard inlay material |
Fingerboard material | rosewood fingerboard |
Fingerboard position markers | dot fingerboard position markers |
Headstock inlays or logos | metal logo on headstock |
Neck material | mahogany neck |
Neck width | 1.625 inches wide at nut |
Number of frets | 20 fret |
Tuner layout | three-each-side |
Date | Price | Condition | Name | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
1964 | $150.00 | new | St3ve | |
1964 | $200.00 | new | Had it for years and it is still in A-1 shape. | |
1971 | $150 | good | #320546 Kalamazoo |
Anastasios Stathopoulos born in 1863, was a Greek luthier who started a mandolin and violin company in 1873 in Pellana, Greece. In 1903 he emigrated with his wife to New York. As luthier he started a year later a company that mainly produced mandolins. The company ran well, and therefore he took the Italian professional Henry cappielo employed. After the death of Anastasios in 1915, his son Epaminondas (Epi) take control over the company. Under his management the company grows to one of the biggest of its kind. A few years later, Epaminondas opens a factory where mainly banjos were made. In 1924 he registered the brand name Epiphone, a combination of his own name (Epi) with the Greek word for sound (phone). Shortly thereafter, Epi buys the banjo company Favoran and introduces the banjo Epiphone Recording line. Because of their quality and elegant design, it will be a great success. Due to the success of the banjo Recording line, a Recording line for guitars was also established in 1928 and a full line of f-hole archtop guitars was introduced in 1931. There are 12 models, including the top models: Broadway, Triumph and DeLuxe. Epiphone has been competing with Gibson for some time and with the introduction of the Epiphone Emperor in 1935, dealt a serious blow. Epiphone introduced the Electar series in 1937, an electric guitar with an adjustable pickup. Epaminondas dies in 1943 and the business is continued by his two sons Orpheus (Orphie) and Frixo. The cooperation between the two brothers is going badly and the company is going through hard times in the post-war years. By the mid-1950s, Epiphone is still making very few instruments. | In 1957, Epiphone is sold to CMI, Gibson's parent company, for $20,000.00. A full line of newly designed acoustic and electric guitars is launched in 1958. In 1960, Epiphone's production moved to the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. At the beginning of 1970 the production under license from Gibson moved from the USA to Japan. From 1983 there is also produced in Korea and then in 1995 also in Indonesia. In 2004, Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao, China for the production of Epiphone guitars. Although the vast production of Epiphone guitars takes place in these countries, some more exclusive models are still being made in the USA. Epaminondas Stathopoulos |