by Spud1950 » Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:51 pm
Gibson had nothing to do with making that guitar. During the period the guitar was made,Epiphone production was halted in the US and Gibson contracted with the Matsumoku factory to make them. They are actually based on an already existing Aria model and just branded as an Epiphone. As to the model number, I can't find any info about it,only the six string EA-250,which seem to pretty common. In really nice original condition, those guitars usually sell for $250 - $275 in todays market, sometimes a little more,sometimes a little less. In it's present condition,the asking price is pretty silly, considering you can buy a much nicer one for around the same money. Even repaired, the value would be less. Also, I can't agree that the cracks at the neck are aren't an issue. Problems like that often occur on lower cost 12 string hollow bodies due to fact that the bodies used are actually those made for 6 strings and are not reinforced to take the additional stress of the extra 6 strings. It's very common to see not only stress cracks near the neck,but also to see the body indented around where the bridge is due to the extra pressure and lack of additional inner bracing to compensate for it. I notice that although it's a 12 string,it only has 6 on it. I would bet that the other 6 were removed to prevent further damage.Personally, I would pass on that one.
Last edited by
Spud1950 on Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.