❌SOLD❌ Epiphone FT45N Cortez Natural, 1964

Built at the Gibson Kalamazoo plant, the natural-finish Epiphone FT45N Cortez was produced from 1962 to 1969, but it first appeared with a sunburst in 1958.

The Epiphone FT45N Cortez was very similar to some Gibson models, particularly the LG-2 (sunburst top) and LG-3 (natural top), which in 1962 became the sunburst B25, and in 1963 the natural B25N. They were built in the same plant and likely on identical forms.

Materials used started with a Sitka Spruce top and bracing, Mahogany for the sides, back, body blocks and neck, and until the mid 1960’s, Brazilian Rosewood for the fingerboard.

Rosewood was also used for the bridge, but in 1963, Gibson introduced a line of plastic bridges with adjustable rosewood or ceramic saddles, and used these parts on both Gibson and Epiphone models. By 1964, the Gibson models were again Rosewood, but the use of the plastic bridges on Epiphones seems to have continued for another few years. On this example, the plastic bridge is in good shape.

The tuners are Kluson Deluxe strip models with cream plastic buttons.

This Epiphone FT45N is in overall good condition. It is rather nice to play and has a good sound. Fret wear is light, and the guitar plays cleanly. The finish shows an expected amount of natural checking. There is a small chip in the back, at the lower bout edge. On the front, the original stick-on ‘E’ pickguard logo disappeared long ago.

It’s challenging to accurately date instruments from this era and this plant, as serial numbers were re-used and sometimes more than once. The bridge used here first appeared in late 1963, establishing a lower limit. Gibson’s use of Brazilian was tapering off by 1965, establishing an upper limit. We’re settling in the middle, 1964.

A non-original hard shell flat-top case is included.