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EPIPHONE | ACOUSTIC | TEXAN

Epiphone Texan FT-79

Flat top acoustic guitar

The Epiphone Texan was a model of jumbo flat top acoustic guitar, produced at Gibson's Kalamazoo plant between 1959 and 1969, shipping 7949 guitars in this 10 year period. The Texan was perhaps the best known of all Epiphone acoustic guitars, largely thanks to Beatle Paul McCartney who played the model during performances of Yesterday when the band played live in the mid-1960s. When Gibson took over production of the Epiphone brand in 1957, numerous older pre-Gibson guitars were revived, however many new models also appeared, often directly comparable to existing Gibson models. Becoming a Gibson stockist at this time was not easy, and there would be competition amongst dealers to win such a contract. By launching the Epiphone line, Gibson-owner CMI had the chance to increase their number of dealers, without diluting the exclusivity awarded to existing stockists. For more about the relationship between the Epiphone and Gibson brands in the 1960s, see this article on Gibson/Epiphone product alignment. The Texan was analogous to the Gibson J-45. Actually, pre-Gibson Epiphone had used the model code FT-79 previously, however that guitar, although sharing some of the same ornamentation, bore little resemblance to the Kalamazoo-era Texan, and never used the Texan name.

The Texan had a 16 1/4" wide x 20 1/4" long body, with a depth of 4 7/8", a rosewood fingerboard with parallelogram inlays, 25 1/2" scale (compared to the 24 3/4" scale / dot inlays of the J-45) and 20 frets.

1968 Epiphone Texan Image Heritage auctions

The Epiphone Texan was described as follows in the 1962 Epiphone catalog

A jumbo flat top guitar with a booming voice, fine response, a fast-action neck, and many more fine features, exceptional at its popular price. Made with selected spruce top for finest resonance, mahogany back and rims. Mahogany neck with adjustable truss rod. Rosewood fingerboard with distinctive pearl inlays. Peghead with pearl-inlaid design and name. Attractive ivoroid purfling ring and large shell celluloid to pickguard. Rosewood adjustable bridge. Nickel-plated enclosed machine heads. An outstanding instrument!

It was available in Natural or Shaded finish, with a list price (July 1965, the peak year) of $175 for either finish - the same price as the Gibson J-45 at the same time.

Epiphone Texan shipping totals

A total of 7949 Epiphone Texans were shipped from the Kalamazoo plant in 10 years of production, with 1965 being the peak year. The break down of shipping statistics by year and finish are as follows. Note 1959 and 1960 show no Natural finish Texans shipped. It may be that these figures are incomplete, though more likely that the guitars were lumped together for these years, and the 1959 and 1960 data is for either finish - Natural 1959 Epiphone Texans certainly exist!

1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 TOTAL
FT79 Texan 193 125 63 113 256 813 840 381 935 597 174 4490
FT79 Texan Natural 116 122 318 690 786 606 454 186 181 3459
TOTAL 193 125 179 235 574 1503 1626 987 1389 783 355 7949
Paul McCartney with his Epiphone Texan, 1965

Paul McCartney and the Epiphone Texan

Paul McCartney bought his Natural finished Epiphone Texan in late 1964 - a right handed model that he flipped over and strung left handed. His mid-sixties live performances with this guitar gave the model immediate attention, but he also used it widely in the studio and for writing. In September he performed a solo version of Yesterday on the Ed Sullivan show to an audience of 73 million viewers.

Other notable users include Jimi Hendrix, Graham Nash and Noel Gallagher.

Epiphone Texan catalog appearances

Epiphone Texan reissues

From late 1970, a series of Japanese Epiphone flat tops, were sometimes given the designation Texan: the FT-145, FT-160 (Texan-12); though these were entirely different guitars to the FT-79 Texan. Typically with bolt-on neck, dot inlays and differing body dimensions. The name Texan appears on soundhole labels, but is never used in Epiphone literature, which sticks to FT-145/FT-160. These are acceptable guitars, but nowhere near as nice as the 1960s Kalamazoo-built set neck Epiphone Texan.

Due to the popularity of this model, more accurate versions have been reissued several times over the years, with production in the USA (Bozeman, Montana), Japan, and Indonesia, and some of these are really nice guitars, but nothing comes close to the feel of an original vintage Kalamazoo Texan!

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Epiphone Texan for sale

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Epiphone FT-140 Texan Acoustic w /  Gigbag - N

Epiphone FT-140 Texan Acoustic w / Gigbag - N

Mesquite, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$350


Item: Epiphone FT-140 Texan Acoustic w / Gigbag!
Description: You are purchasing a Epiphone FT-140 Texan Acoustic w / Gigbag. Awesome vintage acoustssic in good shape for its age. Has no issues regarding playability, though the guitar does have some wear as to be expected, please see pictures. Sold as is. Please inquire with any questions you may have prior to purchase
Shipping: $80 00 shipping to the Lower 48 States! We ship overseas. Overseas shipping prices will vary. ... more
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1970s Epiphone Texan 12 String Acoustic Guitar Model FT-160N - Made In Japan

1970s Epiphone Texan 12 String Acoustic Guitar Model FT-160N - Made In Japan

Jerseyville, Illinois, 620**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$475

1970s Epiphone Texan 12 String Acoustic Guitar Model FT-160N - Made In Japan.

Comes as pictured.

Shipping will be $40 in the lower 48 states.

... more
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1966 Epiphone Texan

1966 Epiphone Texan

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5595

1966 Epiphone Texan, Natural, Adjustable bridge with White Ceramic insert, Tortoise pickguard, Attractive instrument! Nice low action, Just like Paul??s, Very good plus condition, Newer Non original hard case, $5, 395
At Gary??s Classic Guitars we professionally clean, setup & pro pack for safe transit of your new guitar to your door! We would love to earn your business ??
... more
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Vintage 1967 Epiphone FT-79 Texan Flat Top Acoustic! Made n USA!

Vintage 1967 Epiphone FT-79 Texan Flat Top Acoustic! Made n USA!

Ewing, Virginia, 242**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2900

This is a vintage 1967 Epiphone Texan flat top acoustic guitar. It has a sunburst finish body color and a dreadnought body type. The guitar has 20 frets, a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck material with a rosewood fretboard material.

This professional-level guitar has a 6 string configuration and is right-handed. The model is the Epiphone FT-79 Texan Flat Top Acoustic Guitar from the Vintage series. It was made in the United States and is a 4 / 4 size. ... more
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Norlin Epiphone Texan - 12 String Acoustic Guitar Model FT-160 + Hard Plush Case

Norlin Epiphone Texan - 12 String Acoustic Guitar Model FT-160 + Hard Plush Case

Olive Branch, Mississippi, 386**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$550

This sale is for a preowned Norlin Epiphone Texan - 12 String Acoustic Guitar Model FT-160 + Hard Plush Case. Stand not included.
Seller only ships to 48 contiguous United States of America
Thanks for looking
Information:
Epiphone Model# FT-160 Texan-12Norlin Lincolnwood ILMade in Japan
Strap and Pick holder included
A quality jumbo size guitar. Body design and selected woods provide guitarist with excellent volume and tonal response
Features:Selected fine spruce top ... more
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Vintage 1968 Epiphone FT-79 Texan Natural

Vintage 1968 Epiphone FT-79 Texan Natural

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3799

Vintage original circa 1968 Epiphone Texan in beautiful original Natural finish
Guitar plays and sounds remarkably great. Super warm and bright and great for recording
It has a wonderful full tone that these Texan guitars are so famous for
Paul McCartney, Peter Frampton and many others all used them for song writing
This example is clean and original. It has significant checking throughout
Neck is straight and plays great all the way up and down with out any buzz or ... more
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Epiphone FT-145SB Sunburst Blue Label TEXAN Acoustic Guitar Vintage 1970s Japan

Epiphone FT-145SB Sunburst Blue Label TEXAN Acoustic Guitar Vintage 1970's Japan

Yorkville, Illinois, 605**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$625

Epiphone FT-145SB Sunburst Blue Label TEXAN Acoustic Guitar Vintage 1970's Japan
Excellent lightly used guitar from 1973-1975 time period SB=SunBurst
Includes the hard case and owner's manual
There's a couple minor scratches on the very end of the neck end of the guitar The body is nice with one small scratch near the back Serial number and anotherminor scratch on the side body of the guitar. The pick guard has some rub marks(see photo). The back of the neck has two very small ... more
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Epiphone Masterbilt Texan Slope Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Epiphone Masterbilt Texan Slope Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Bristol, Tennessee, 376**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$600

This Epiphone Masterbilt Texan Slope Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar is used with "used" stamped on the back of the headstock. It is in excellent condition although it does show a repaired center seam crack on the top (see pictures). This area has been secured and clearcoated over so it is smooth to the touch and matches the aged gloss finish of the rest of the body. Otherwise, this guitar is cosmetically very clean and shows no dings, dents, scratches, or any obvious playwear. ... more
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Epiphone Texan 1965

Epiphone Texan 1965

Ventura, California, 930**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1700

Plays and sounds great
Set up by True Tone music
Straight neck stable bracing
Original bridge tight surface crack to bridge small wood under cleat added
1 1 / 2 width at the nut
Comes with nice case
... more
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1966 Epiphone Texan FT-79N Natural

1966 Epiphone Texan FT-79N Natural

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3449

Up for sale is a 1966 Epiphone Texan FT-79N in its original natural finish. This guitar has been beat to within an inch of its life, and truly sounds fantastic! Factory heel stinger too! 1 9 / 16th nut width, Kluson double line tuners, original E pickguard. Lots of repaired / some not repaired top cracks, bridge has been re-glued and has two additional screws installed. The guitar has been refretted and areas of the fingerboard have been filled in. Lots and lots of wear, but no neck breaks. ... more
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1958 Epiphone Texan Made in Kalamazoo Michigan

1958 Epiphone Texan Made in Kalamazoo Michigan

Madison, Wisconsin, 537**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7000

This is a vintage 1958 Epiphone Texan sold to me by the original owner. I had a top crack caused by pickguard shrinkage repaired. This guitar plays great and sounds lovely with some really nice harmonic content. This could be an awesome piece for anyone looking to add to their collection or for anyone looking for a fantastic vintage acoustic that would be perfect for recording. Get it while it lasts!... more
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1965 Epiphone Texan Acoustic Guitar

1965 Epiphone Texan Acoustic Guitar

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4350

1965 Epiphone Texan, Natural Spruce top, Rosewoodfingerboard, Nice player, Ceramic white insert, Fine sounding, Wonderfulguitar, VG++, hard case
... more
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VINTAGE USA EPIPHONE FT-79 Texan Guitar Hang Tag

VINTAGE USA EPIPHONE FT-79 Texan Guitar Hang Tag

Columbus, Ohio, 432**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$125

Original hangtag from a 60's FT-79 Texan acoustic guitar by Epiphone / Gibson. It has been folded
Please look closely at the pictures and feel free to ask questions
All my merchandise is 100% guaranteed as described. Returns are not accepted so please no bidding unless you want it By bidding you are confirming that you understand these terms. PayPal only Payment to be received no longer than 7 days from end of auction. If there is no contact after 7 days, item will be relisted and ... more
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Epiphone Texan acoustic guitar. Collectors item. Original owner and c

Epiphone Texan acoustic guitar. Collectors item. Original owner and c

Hemet, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4200

'64 Gibson Epiphone Texan acoustic guitar. Collectors item. Original owner and case. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage.... more
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1963 Epiphone Texan

1963 Epiphone Texan

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6495

SKU: EPA0267
1963 Epiphone Texan, Sunburst, Hard to find guitar, Tortoise pickguard, Adjustable bridge with White ceramic insert, Kluson tuners, Lovely sounding instrument, VG++, Cool vintage soft case... more
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1965 Epiphone Texan Vintage Acoustic Guitar

1965 Epiphone Texan Vintage Acoustic Guitar

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6500

1965 Epiphone Texan, Natural finish, Thin tortoise guardwith ??E?? logo, Original Kluson tuners, Stunning clean guitar, Similar to Paul??s, EC+, Clean original Grey hard case
... more
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Epiphone FT-145 Texan Made in Japan Vintage 1973

Epiphone FT-145 Texan Made in Japan Vintage 1973

Brookline, Massachusetts, 024**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$679

This Epiphone FT-145 Texan sounds as wonderful as it looks. It has a few dings, but is in excellent condition for its age. Made by the legendary Matsumoku factory in Japan, it was built in 1973.
This is an extremely well-made guitar. It has a natural spruce top, mahogany rims and back, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, an adjustable bridge, and chrome-plated hardware
Of special note: It has a heel-less bolt-on neck, so if it ever needs a neck reset, you can do it yourself!
An ... more
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Epiphone FT-145 Texan Vintage Sunburst 1972

Epiphone FT-145 Texan Vintage Sunburst 1972

Delray Beach, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$590

This Epiphone FT-145 Texan Vintage Sunburst guitar is a dream come true for any musician. With a body type of Dreadnought and the classic Vintage Sunburst body color, this guitar is a perfect fit for any right-handed player. Made with high-quality materials such as Spruce, Rosewood, and Mahogany, this guitar is built to last

This acoustic guitar is perfect for any performance level, whether it be professional or amateur. The 6-string configuration and the model year of 1972 make this... more
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Epiphone texan ft-79 1966 Kalamazoo Michigan

Epiphone texan ft-79 1966 Kalamazoo Michigan

Swanage, BH19***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2222

Very rare and only a handful on the market, Beautiful sounding Epiphone Texan FT-79 1966, built in the legendary factory in kalamazoo, Michigan, which ended up burning down! They were made in the same factory as the Gibson's as Gibson had previously bought out Epiphone in the 50's and were still manufacturing the Epiphone's to the same standards as the Gibson's this lovely guitar could do with some tuner's but I just don't feel confident enough myself changing them and would rather it go to ... more
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Epiphone Masterbilt Texan Faded Cherry With Full Professional Setup & Hard Case

Epiphone Masterbilt Texan Faded Cherry With Full Professional Setup & Hard Case

SPALDING, PE11***, UNITED KINGDOM

£695

Selling My Epiphone Masterbilt Texan in Faded Cherry Aged Gloss   This guitar comes with a new TOURTECH Western Acoustic hard case and has a FULL professional setup. Please note that this guitar is also an electro acoustic and has an excellent in-built pickup   The stand shown in the photographs isn't included but I can send a link to the stand shown if required
The guitar has genuinely only been played two to three times   I am selling as I went a bit crazy buying guitars ... more
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1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1968 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1972 Fender Precision bass

1972 Fender PrecisionA detailed look at an early 1970s Fender Precision bass guitar in custom black finish, with rosewood fretboard. 1972 list price, $307.50. The Fender Precision had been shipping since at least very early 1952 - with just one re-design circa 1957. This example, then, shows a model already two decades old, but barely changed since the '57 revamp. Fender got it right first time around, and although there are numerous minor cosmetic differences, the essence of this bass is effectively the same as it was in '52: a simple, single pickup instrument with a GREAT sound. Check out the demo video through an old Ampeg B15. It's no wonder this is the bass that everybody wants!

1967 Vox Stroller

1967 Vox StrollerThe Vox Stroller was the brand's entry level electric solid body guitar, fitted with just one pickup and a fixed tailpiece. Although aimed at student guitarists, it wasn't a terrible instrument, but did lack somewhat in adjustability, having no accessible truss rod and only a floating rosewood bridge. But this example is actually quite an improvement on earlier versions, with a standard 1/4" jack and a solid mahogany body. 1967 price £18 2s. JMI ceased UK guitar production in late '67, and combined with decreasing demand for the Stroller, this surely must be one of the last examples shipped.

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

1963 Vox Clubman Bass left handedA nice example of the Vox Clubman II bass, built by JMI in Dartford, Kent in 1963. This is a lightweight bass, short (30") scale and very easy to play. It is an early example, and as such has a thin black scratchplate and side mounted, coaxial output jack. JMI offered left handed examples of their solid body Vox guitars and basses at 10% premium. Production numbers are unclear, but left-handed examples rarely come up for sale

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

1977 Gibson ES Artist prototypeNot to be confused with the Gibson ES Artist launched by Gibson in 1979; this ES Artist was an early model designed by the Gibson research and development team in Kalamazoo in 1977, the instruments themselves constructed by Gibson artist Chuck Burge. It was planned for launch as a high end semi acoustic with 335-style construction (central maple block) and innovative circuitry - but was pulled at the last minute, being deemed too expensive. Apparently, several examples were produced with varying specifications, though exactly how many actually left the Kalamazoo plant is unclear. Certainly two guitars were sold to LaVonne Music by Gibson in around 1980. Read more about the development of this guitar, with details from Chuck Burge and the story of it's sale to LaVonne music

1959 Hofner Committee

1959 Hofner CommitteeThe Hofner Committee was a truly beautiful guitar produced in Germany, primarily for the UK market. It was a large bodied (initially 17 1/2") guitar with a carved spruce top, available as an acoustic or electric guitar. By the early sixties the carved top was replaced with a laminate, and although still a very fine guitar, the earlier carved top examples, with frondose headstock (like the example shown here) are far more highly prized amongst musicians and vintage guitar collectors.

1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean

1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins TennesseanThe Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean, or model 6119 was Gretsch's best selling hollow body of the 1960s. This wonderfully faded example from 1965 was originally Dark Cherry Red, but has turned a mid-orange brown. The original color, however, can be seen underneath the pickup surrounds. 1965 specs: maple body, two-piece neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard and Hi-Lo 'Tron single coil pickups. Nickel plated Gretsch Bigsby tailpiece.

1965 Gretsch 'For the Spectacular Sound of the Times' guitar and amp catalog

1965 Gretsch catalogThe 1965 Gretsch catalog, or catalog #32, featured 10 hollow body electric guitars, including the newly launched Gretsch Viking; four solid body electrics, including the Astro Jet - making it's only catalog appearance; just one bass, the single pickup PX6070; nine acoustics and 12 tube amplifiers. Pride of place went to the Chet Atkins Country Gentleman that adorned both the front and back covers. 24 pages, six of which are in full color.

Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends

Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret endsLoose frets are especially problematic in certain old guitars, but are generally very easy to fix. You'll be amazed at the difference you can make with just a few tools, a bit of knowledge, and a little time. Fixing loose frets can eliminate fret buzz, remove sharp fret ends, and greatly improve the tone of any guitar. If your luthier bill will be greater than the value of your guitar, definitely time to have a go yourself!

1966 Hagstrom 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog (Merson USA)

1966 Hagstrom guitar catalogHagstrom guitars were distributed in the mid-1960s United States by Merson of USA. This eight page 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog, printed in two-colors contained six solid body electrics, three solid body basses, two electric acoustic guitars, two electric acoustic basses and five acoustics.

1965 Hofner President

1965 Hofner PresidentThe President was produced by Hofner in Bubenreuth, Germany, specifically for Selmer, who distributed the brand in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other commonwealth nations. The President was a hollow body electric acoustic, available as a full body or thinline, and with blonde or brunette finish. It was a great playing guitar that sold fairly well in the second half of the 1950s, throughout the 1960s, and into the very early 1970s. The example shown here is a full-body depth guitar in blonde - and as a 1965 guitar, one of the last to feature the rounded Venetian cutaway. From late 1965 until 1972, the President sported a sharp Florentine cut. Naturally, such an electric acoustic suggests jazz and blues, but many of the original British Hofner President players were part of the rock 'n roll, skiffle and beat scenes of the late 50s and early 60s.

1963 1964 Fender catalog

Fender 1963 catalogue"The Choice of Professional and Student Musicians Everywhere" This eight page catalogue was included as an insert in the 1963 annual "school music" issue of Downbeat magazine (September 1963). As well as keyboards and pedal steels, this catalog contains seven guitars, three basses and ten amplifiers - from student guitars such as the Musicmaster and Duotone to professional models like the new Jaguar.