This 1958 Epiphone FT-79 Texan has survived in fantastic original condition with no changed parts or significant wear. It’s got loads of volume and mid range rumble.
The setup is excellent and it’s really a joy to play. It has a natural top and is the hard to find early version with short peg head with a pearl inlaid script logo.
This has the original Kluson tuners with original buttons, early metal pressed “bubble” truss rod cover.
Repairs include a bridge reglue and a perfect David Petillo light fret dress.
There are no visible repairs, no breaks, no cracks.
The guitar is in extraordinary playing condition and is ready to go on the road or play in your studio.
The finish is pretty extraordinary and relatively unmarred considering it is 64 years old.
It shows very little finish checking typical of nitrocellulose finishes this old.
The action is 1/8th” medium low with great break angle over the original saddle.
Perfect for fingerpicking with a clear articulate voice.
The original case is it’s original 50’s Gibson faux alligator soft case that is in fair structural and fair cosmetic condition.
While the string compartment lid is no longer attached, it does come with a used set of Gibson strings found in the string compartment in the case.
This guitar ships in a modern hard case, the original soft case ships empty and separately.
The Epiphone FT-79 model made quite a transition when the Gibson company purchased Epiphone in 1957.
The FT-79 had previously been made with a long scale neck and a peanut shaped body with an arched back.
The Gibson acquisition meant that many of the half finished parts from the old Epiphone factory were shipped from New York, NY to Kalamazoo, MI.
Like many of the 1957-1960 Epiphones, Gibson mated leftover Epiphone necks to Gibson made bodies.
Transitional Texans with Epiphone made necks are quite rare, first shown at the 1958 Namm show were only produced until the 1960 model year.
The wider Epiphone headstock has a metal “bubble” truss rod cover quite differently shaped from Gibson’s, with the Epiphone name is inlaid in pearl script at the top.
The unbound rosewood fingerboard has pearl trapezoid block fingerboard inlay.
This rare transitional Epiphone FT-79 Texan has all the cool features that discerning collectors and players look for.
The mid 1950s round shoulder J bodies are highly regarded for their stunning good looks, build quality and tonal response.
The long scale New York made Epiphone neck adds a bit more drive to the top that gives the Texan a bit more volume and low end rumble.
These features combined with the unique historical provenance add together for a very cool package for both the player and the collector
Specifications:
Brand: Epiphone
Year: 1958
Serial Number: A1520
Model: FT-79 Texan
Finish Type: Original nitrocellulose lacquer
Finish Color: Natural
Top Wood: Solid spruce
Body Wood: Solid mahogany
Binding: Black/White/Black
Bracing: X
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Joint: Dovetail
Neck Shape: C profile, see pic of neck contour.
Fingerboard Material: Brazilian rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay: Mother of Pearl, Parallelograms
Scale Length: 25.5″
Nut Width: 1 11/16th
Nut Material: Plastic
Pickguard: Tortoise shell
Tuners: Original nickel Kluson single line
Bridge: Backward J-45-Style rosewood bridge
Bridge Pins: Plastic
Saddle: Plastic
This guitar ships FEDEX insured .
We’ll ship on your FEDEX number if you prefer.
