Epiphone SB 533 Coronet Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964)
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Epiphone SB 533 Coronet Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 155359, cherry lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
The Coronet is the Epiphone equivalent to Gibson's SG Junior, a somewhat unexploited treasure in the Kalamazoo-made fold. These asymmetrical-bodied Epiphone solids were phased at the end of 1963, bearing a distinctly more Fender-like look to the body and headstock replacing the original symmetrical models. This one dates to 1964, so is an early example of these newly restyled guitars. With the sonic characteristics of the Junior with slightly more Fender-like aesthetics the Coronet is a very comfortable, easy handling and powerful sounding little guitar.
This second-generation Coronet features the standard cherry finish on the mahogany body and neck. This is an original "stoptail" guitar without any vibrato fitted, something that became rarer after 1964. Most players prefer this setup for rock playing, at least. The single pickup is the standard single-coil P-90, under the a nickel "dogear" cover. The Kluson Deluxe tuners on the single-sided headstock are the integral strip style with plastic buttons. The neck is slimmer at the nut than earlier models but still has some meat to it as it approaches the body compared to many later examples.
All of 685 of these non-vibrato Coronets were shipped from Kalamazoo in 1964, the model's production peak. This is a VERY small number compared to the over 3500 SG Juniors the factory sent out the same year. The list price at the time was $162.50, raised to $175 in September, without a case. While something of an unsung model still this is a neat and very functional 1960's Epiphone solidbody, cool looking, great playing and offering the typical rampaging tone of these light-bodied mahogany P-90 guitars.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a nice example of this Epiphone rarity, played but not abused and dialed in for maximum fun. The finish is fairly clean overall with some dings, dents and scrapes. The upper rear of the body has a decent sized area rubbed away on the forward horn, and the back of the neck has some feelable scrapes along the spine between the 2nd and 6th frets. The cherry lacquer finish retains good deep color with some fading mostly to the face. There is a cigarette burn on the headstock face by the low E string tuner.
The hardware remains original except for a modern stoptail compensated bridge with a slightly taller arch and larger studs, which sets up very solidly. Both front corners of the pickguard have chipped off and the screws relocated slightly inward to secure it to the body. There is some corrosion to the metal hardware, even for some reason the metal caps of the knobs.
The neck joint is very solid and there are no cracks or breaks on the instrument. The neck angle on this guitar is very good which is not always the case with these. The guitar has been refretted with slightly taller wire and is an excellent player, this a real little screamer when cranked. Overall this is a nice gigging example of the Epiphone Coronet, an often overlooked guitar. It rests in a modern HSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.
The Coronet is the Epiphone equivalent to Gibson's SG Junior, a somewhat unexploited treasure in the Kalamazoo-made fold. These asymmetrical-bodied Epiphone solids were phased at the end of 1963, bearing a distinctly more Fender-like look to the body and headstock replacing the original symmetrical models. This one dates to 1964, so is an early example of these newly restyled guitars. With the sonic characteristics of the Junior with slightly more Fender-like aesthetics the Coronet is a very comfortable, easy handling and powerful sounding little guitar.
This second-generation Coronet features the standard cherry finish on the mahogany body and neck. This is an original "stoptail" guitar without any vibrato fitted, something that became rarer after 1964. Most players prefer this setup for rock playing, at least. The single pickup is the standard single-coil P-90, under the a nickel "dogear" cover. The Kluson Deluxe tuners on the single-sided headstock are the integral strip style with plastic buttons. The neck is slimmer at the nut than earlier models but still has some meat to it as it approaches the body compared to many later examples.
All of 685 of these non-vibrato Coronets were shipped from Kalamazoo in 1964, the model's production peak. This is a VERY small number compared to the over 3500 SG Juniors the factory sent out the same year. The list price at the time was $162.50, raised to $175 in September, without a case. While something of an unsung model still this is a neat and very functional 1960's Epiphone solidbody, cool looking, great playing and offering the typical rampaging tone of these light-bodied mahogany P-90 guitars.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a nice example of this Epiphone rarity, played but not abused and dialed in for maximum fun. The finish is fairly clean overall with some dings, dents and scrapes. The upper rear of the body has a decent sized area rubbed away on the forward horn, and the back of the neck has some feelable scrapes along the spine between the 2nd and 6th frets. The cherry lacquer finish retains good deep color with some fading mostly to the face. There is a cigarette burn on the headstock face by the low E string tuner.
The hardware remains original except for a modern stoptail compensated bridge with a slightly taller arch and larger studs, which sets up very solidly. Both front corners of the pickguard have chipped off and the screws relocated slightly inward to secure it to the body. There is some corrosion to the metal hardware, even for some reason the metal caps of the knobs.
The neck joint is very solid and there are no cracks or breaks on the instrument. The neck angle on this guitar is very good which is not always the case with these. The guitar has been refretted with slightly taller wire and is an excellent player, this a real little screamer when cranked. Overall this is a nice gigging example of the Epiphone Coronet, an often overlooked guitar. It rests in a modern HSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.