Epiphone Ritz 1944

With its compact 15.55-inch body, the Ritz offered an affordable alternative for guitarists seeking Epiphone quality without the price tag of more expensive models. The model was produced during a turbulent period in the company's history, when World War II caused material shortages and forced Epiphone to find creative solutions. 

Starting in 1943, the finish for archtops changed to an opaque finish. This opaque finish was likely introduced to hide the wood grain, as shortages of premium spruce led Epiphone to use a different wood, possibly birch or poplar, for some arched tops. This 1944 Ritz is an interesting example of Epiphone's wartime production. The guitar features laminated maple back and sides with a flamed back and a two-piece arched top with a characteristic opaque ivory finish. The cherry neck has a V-profile with a rosewood fingerboard featuring mother-of-pearl dot inlays. The tortoiseshell pickguard and binding give the guitar a warm, vintage look that complements the cream finish of the top. The adjustable rosewood bridge and trapeze tailpiece complete the traditional look. 

This Epiphone Ritz has seen its fair share of wear and tear over the years and is in good condition. The guitar suffered a neck crack, and a piece of mahogany was inserted to repair it. The finish was then re-cracked, but the neck is stable despite the noticeable crack. The neck has been resprayed, and the tuners have been replaced. The guitar has also been refretted. Despite these repairs, the guitar retains its authentic character and is a fascinating piece of Epiphone history from the war years. The guitar was purchased by the Dutch Archtop Museum from the Chicago Music Exchange in Chicago, Illinois in September 2010 and comes in a hardshell case.