Epiphone FT-45 Cortez Sunburst 1966 Small body, big sound, great action and beautiful vintage sunburstNo damage, cracks, repairs, loose braces. Frets show a little wear but no need to re-fret or dress.Neck is adjusted for perfect action with no fretting out. Label designates it as an Epiphone FT-45 Cortez, but it was the spitting image of the Gibson LG-3 described above. The serial number (166802) suggests that.
From the 1961 Epiphone catalog: “ Cortez – distinctive in appearance with a beautiful golden shaded flat top and traditional shape. Distinctive in features with a mellow, resonant tone and fast, low action neck. Top is specially selected Spruce providing a fine sounding board, back and rims are Mahogany. Mahogany neck with adjustable truss rod.
Rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays. Large shell celluloid pickguard.
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Nickel plated enclosed machine heads. Choose this guitar for Epiphone quality at a modest price.” The Cortez was manufactured in the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, MI from about 1958 until 1969. This Epiphone FT-45 Cortez has survived in wonderful clean condition and comes from the original owner. All parts appear to be original to the guitar except for the strings and an added strap button on the treble side rim. Apart from some light finish checking and two top dings, it remains in spectacular cosmetic and structural condition.The wider, 1 5/8″ nut width is very comfortable to play along with the straight neck and excellent frets. It comes with its original Gibson badged chipboard case. We’re confident you’ll love the tone, aesthetic, and playability of this one owner 1965 Epiphone FT-45 Cortez.