by Brian Evans » Fri Sep 07, 2018 8:23 am
Yes, that one looks a dead ringer for yours. Goes to show how much they changed over a very short period of time. My one on the quilt is a 1962 Gibson, just for a point in time reference. FWIW, they are, including your made in USA Epi, exceptional guitars of their type, great blues sound and full of character. I love mine. Dead cheap to make, exactly two pieces of wood - one piece neck, one piece slab body, all electronics on a drop in plate, but they really feel like a 1960's Gibson. The lightning bolt bridge is obviously intonated for a wound G string, and that bridge was introduced in late 1962 - early 1963. The earlier bridge was a smooth top stop tailpiece mounted at an 8 degree angle to the strings, to get close to intonated. Cases were often supplied by the store, for cheap student guitars. Good luck with your repair, and keep it in the family for another 50 years!