SB-332 CRESTWOOD CUSTOM
PELHAM BLUE POLY
#196770
Mint Condition
All Original
$13,500.00
alt="Vintage 1964 Original SB-332 Gibson Epiphone Crestwood Custom Electric Guitar">
This is a fantastic, super rare example of a 1964 Gibson Epiphone Crestwood Custom in a custom color. Virtually unplayed, what's euphemistically called an 'Under-the-bed-find.'
As collectors know, Gibson purchased the esteemed NY Epiphone company in 1958 and began producing Epiphones alongside Gibsons in the Kalamazoo factory to cultivate new dealers and sales. Epis were in no way poor sisters of Gibson but unique models of often higher specification than their better known Gibson brethren. The rare 1960-62 Wilshire solid body featured components from the 1956-60 Les Paul Standard and Custom which equipped no comparable Gibson solid body. Additionally, Gibson introduced components in Epiphones unavailable in its own line like the superb Mini Humbucking pickup and TremoTone Vibrato, as on this very special guitar. Even the iconic gray tolex over blue plush guitar cases were Epi-specific.
Classic Kalamazoo Epis were produced in far fewer numbers than Gibson so the scarcity factor adds to a general lack of knowledge of these great guitars. And ups the coolness factor -- in the laughably copycat world of guitar collectability, Epis would double in value overnight if, say, Eric Clapton appeared with one. Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Steve Marriot, Wayne Kramer are but a few of the notables who played Epi solid bodies. The hollow and semi-hollow models were used by the likes of Keith Richard, John Lennon and Robbie Robertson, to name but several.
Custom colors were a rare option and few examples still exist. It would be very difficult to find one in better condition than #196770.
The 1964 Crestwood is a close cousin of the scarce 1961-63 Epi Custom, differing only in the updated six-in-a-row 'batwing' headstock and modified lower body horn. The 1964 also shares the one year only non-relieved body of the earlier Crestwood, to change in 1965 to a relieved body. In 1964 291 total Customs, the majority in standard Gibson cherry finish, were shipped and only 1349 over ten years. These instruments are rare. There is no information on how many custom colors were shipped in 1964 but the number is obviously minute.
The Epis boast a much more comfortable body than their closest relative, the Gibson SG Standard, and the Mini-Humbuckers project a unique tone, higher-pitched but thick with classic Gibson sustain. The meatier body also offers tone advantages over the SG and it's better balanced. Classic Gibson workmanship, stability and iconic bling.
alt="1964 Epiphone Crestwood C
ustom Inverness Green Electric Guitar">
- As close to Mint as a 55 year old guitar can be.
- Everything original. No replacements, modifications, etc.
- Original Gray/Blue Epiphone Case, Superb.
alt="1964 Crestwood Custom Inverness Green Electric Guitar Neck Close-up">
alt="1964 Crestwood Custom Inverness Green Electric Guitar neck heel closeup">
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