Century
From its introduction in 1939 until 1957 the Century archtop electric guitar was part of the Century range of instruments and amplifiers including the Century Banjo, Century Mandolin, Electar Century Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar and Century Amplifier. This line of instruments was available in "complete outfits" or "starter packs" as we know them today. These outfits typically included the instrument, case, amplifier and a cord. Century amplifers were available in AC or AC-DC models. The Century guitar was available in Spanish (conventional), Tenor (4-sting short-scale) and Plectrum (4-string long-scale) versions. Plectum versions were usually special order only. See: Century Series
In 1939, the Century Spanish, Tenor and Plectrum guitars were $72.25 including a case and cord. The Century AC outfit was $124.50 and the AC-DC outfit was $134.50. |
Contents |
Models
Century
- 1939-1957
Models:
- Century Spanish Guitar (6-string conventional)
- Century Tenor Guitar (4-string short-scale)
- Century Plectrum Guitar (4-string long-scale)
- Model E421/E422 (1950-1957)
Body:
- Grand Concert size body
- Laminated mahogany body
- 14.75" body width (1939-1941)
- 15.25" body width (1942-1945)
- 16.375" body width (1946-1957)
Binding:
- 1-ply body
- Bound fingerboard (1939-1945)
- Unbound fingerboard (1946-1957)
Neck:
- Set mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays
- Metal peghead logo plate
- Bone nut
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Epiphone Master pickup with metal cover in bridge position (1939)
- Epiphone Master pickup in bridge position (1940-1945)
- Epiphone Master pickup in neck position (1946-1949)
- Tone Spectrum pickup with non-adjustable poles (1950-1957)
- Some with NY pickup (1950-1957)
Controls:
- 1 Vol. 1 Tone controls
- Vertical, black carousel knobs below tailpiece (1939-1945)
- Vertical, Square control plates with radial markings below tailpiece (1946-1949)
- Horizontal, white carousel knobs behind pickguard (1950-1957)
Hardware:
- Adjustable rosewood bridge with trapeze tailpiece
- Bakelite tortoise pickguard
- Individual tuners with plastic buttons
- Output jack on Top of guitar (1939-1941)
- Output jack on Side of guitar (1942-1957)
Colors:
- Highlighted Walnut Brown
- Shaded Sunburst
- Blonde (E421)
- Sunburst (E422)
Century E422T
- 1958-1969
Body:
- Thinline body
- Maple top, sides & back
Neck:
- Set Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays
- Open-bood style headstock with metal plate logo (1958-1961)
- Elongated headstock with silkscreen logo (1962-1969)
- 25.5" scale
- 1.68" nut width
Binding:
- Single-ply body
Electronics:
- One NY humbucker pickup (1958-1961)
- One dogear P90 pickup (1961-1969)
- 1 Vol. 1 tone control
Hardware:
- Nickel Hardware
- Adjustable rosewood bridge with trapeze tailpiece
- Tortoise-shell pickguard (1958-1961)
- White plastic pickguard (1961-1969)
Colors:
- Sunburst
- Royal Burgandy
Century E422T 3/4
- 1961-1967
Body:
- 3/4 size body
- Maple top, back & sides
Neck:
- Set Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays
Binding:
- Single-ply body
Electronics:
- One dogear P90 pickup
- 1 Vol. 1 Tone controls
Hardware:
- Nickel Hardware
- Rosewood bridge & base
- Trapeze tailpiece
- Elevated tortoise pickguard
- Deluxe plate-mounted tuners
Colors:
- Cherry
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