Epiphone Broadway 1932

Description
Specifications

The Epiphone Broadway was introduced in 1931 as one of the mid-range models in Epiphone's archtop series and was named after the legendary New York street where the company had its roots.

With its 16.81-inch body, the Broadway positioned itself between the smaller Zenith and larger top models like the Deluxe. It was characterized by its walnut back and sides and segmented F-holes, characteristic design features of the early 1930s. The Broadway was a popular choice among jazz musicians seeking an archtop with volume and projection at an affordable price.

This 1932 Broadway is a special example with an unusual story. The spruce top is strikingly flat and supported by very unusual and large braces, resulting in a unique tone and playing experience. As a previous owner noted, "There's definitely a story behind this guitar. It was made that way for a reason, but anyone who can tell us that reason is dead." The five-piece maple and mahogany neck has a comfortable C-profile with a compound radius of 7.25" to 12" on the rosewood fingerboard, which features beautiful mother-of-pearl star inlays. The white binding on the neck, combined with the triple black and white purfling and black pickguard, gives the guitar its classic 1930s look.

This Epiphone Broadway has had several hands over the years and undergone necessary repairs. In 2018, the instrument was taken to the workshop of Dutch luthier Hans de Louter for inspection and repair. The top was removed to repair several braces, and the back and sides of the body were refinished. Despite these interventions, the guitar is in very good condition and retains its unique character. The guitar was purchased by the Dutch Archtop Museum in May 2012 from Robert S. Lee of Lafayette, New York, after having previously been offered for sale on eBay by Kirk Sales of Portland, Oregon. The guitar comes in a vintage hardshell case.

Brand & Conditions
Brand	Epiphone
Condition	Very Good

Neck
Scale Length	648 mm - 25.5"
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Neck Profile	C
Neck Material	5-Piece Maple/Mahogany
Neck Thickness 1st Fret	23,7 mm
Neck Details	White Binding, Mother of Pearl Star Inlay
Fingerboard Radius	7.25" - 12" Compound
Neck Thickness 9th Fret	26,9 mm
Nutwidth	45,1 mm

Body
Colour Family	Sunburst
Finish	Sunburst
Top Material	Spruce
Body Shape	Archtop
Body Depth	85 mm - 3.35"
Body Material	Laminated Walnut
Body Details	3-Ply Black/White Purfling, Black Pickguard, Segmented F-Holes
Body Width	427 mm - 16.81"

Hardware
Tailpiece	Trapeze
Bridge	Adjustable Rosewood
Bridge String Spacing	56 mm
Tuning Machines	Grover Open Gear

Miscellaneous
Travels in	Vintage Case

The Epiphone Broadway was introduced in 1931 as one of the mid-range models in Epiphone's archtop series and was named after the legendary New York street where the company had its roots.

With its 16.81-inch body, the Broadway positioned itself between the smaller Zenith and larger top models like the Deluxe. It was characterized by its walnut back and sides and segmented F-holes, characteristic design features of the early 1930s. The Broadway was a popular choice among jazz musicians seeking an archtop with volume and projection at an affordable price.

This 1932 Broadway is a special example with an unusual story. The spruce top is strikingly flat and supported by very unusual and large braces, resulting in a unique tone and playing experience. As a previous owner noted, "There's definitely a story behind this guitar. It was made that way for a reason, but anyone who can tell us that reason is dead." The five-piece maple and mahogany neck has a comfortable C-profile with a compound radius of 7.25" to 12" on the rosewood fingerboard, which features beautiful mother-of-pearl star inlays. The white binding on the neck, combined with the triple black and white purfling and black pickguard, gives the guitar its classic 1930s look.

This Epiphone Broadway has had several hands over the years and undergone necessary repairs. In 2018, the instrument was taken to the workshop of Dutch luthier Hans de Louter for inspection and repair. The top was removed to repair several braces, and the back and sides of the body were refinished. Despite these interventions, the guitar is in very good condition and retains its unique character. The guitar was purchased by the Dutch Archtop Museum in May 2012 from Robert S. Lee of Lafayette, New York, after having previously been offered for sale on eBay by Kirk Sales of Portland, Oregon. The guitar comes in a vintage hardshell case.

Epiphone Broadway 1932

The Epiphone Broadway was introduced in 1931 as one of the mid-range models in Epiphone's archtop series and was named after the legendary New York street where the company had its roots.

The Epiphone Broadway was introduced in 1931 as one of the mid-range models in Epiphone's archtop series and was named after the legendary New York street where the company had its roots.

Similar auctions