Epiphone E422T Century (1959)

Equal parts New York and Michigan, early Gibson-made Epiphones like this E422T Century represent some of the most unique and interesting instruments in the vintage guitar world.

1959 Epiphone E422T Century model just into the shop!

Built right alongside Gibson's updated ES-125 - now with a 'T' suffix to designate its new Thinline body style - this '59 Century is essentially the across-the-aisle equivalent with a few twists.

Epiphones built by Gibson from 1958-1960/1961 feature a combination of new Kalamazoo and old New York. This was Gibson's way of using up their newly acquired assets from the Epiphone acquisition of 1957. A leftover NY-made Epiphone neck with unique 3-piece construction and a meatier V profile (specific to Epiphone-made necks of the era) combines with a Gibson-made thinline ES-125 body and Epiphone's original single coil pickup for quite the playing experience. In our opinion, this might be one of the acoustically loudest Century models out there. Sound just jumps right out of this thing! The neck is super comfortable, too. It's difficult to experience this kind of playability in a "Gibson", which is what makes these guitars so cool.

The original NY pickup is bright and chimey, which combines with the naturally open and woody character of the acoustic tone so well.

A well-executed neck reset was previously performed, with slightly evidence of the repair below the neck heel. Otherwise, the geometry is solid, the overall fit and finish of the build is great, and there are no other structural/mechanical issues to report.

Paired with a modern Epiphone grey hardshell ES case.