Century

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Epiphone Century
1939-1960 Epiphone Century Headstock
Epiphone Century
1961-1969 Epiphone Century Headstock

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


When The Gibson Corporation bought Epiphone in 1958 they released the Century 422T, which was basically the same as the original Century. By 1961, the NY pickup was replaced with a single P90 pickup. That year also saw the release of the Century 3/4 scale guitar.

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

1941 Epiphone Century
1939 Epiphone Century
1941 Epiphone Century
1940-1941 Epiphone Century
Epiphone Century
1946-1949 Epiphone Century
1953 Epiphone Century
1950-1957 Epiphone 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

Epiphone Century
1958-1961 Epiphone Century E422T
Epiphone Century
1961 Epiphone Century E422T
Epiphone Century E422T
1962-1969 Epiphone 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

Epiphone Century 3/4
Epiphone Century 3/4
Epiphone Century 3/4
Epiphone Century 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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