Vintage 1972-75 Epiphone ET-278 Black With Gig Bag

Built by the famed Matsumoku industrial plant from 1972 to 1975, the Epiphone ET-278 was on the market as  an affordable, high-quality instrument. Combining older Epiphone body shapes with Japanese-made hardware and a lower price tag, the ET-278 was considered a right bargain in it’s day.  It still is - we just took this one in are quickly falling in love with it.

Unlike older American-made Epiphones, the ET-278 featured a bolt-on neck. It stood out from its sibling models (the ET-270 and ET-275) by featuring two humbucking pickups, a rich ebony finish, and decorative binding on the neck and headstock.  The ET-278 was discontinued around 1975 and was eventually phased out entirely by the end of 1975 to make way for new models in the ET series.  

While other models in the ET series used newer shapes, the ET-278 stepped back in time. It revived the offset double-cutaway body shapes from classic 1960s Epiphone models like the Crestwood and Wilshire.  Kurt Cobain is the most famous guitarist associated with the 1970s Japanese-made Epiphone ET series, specifically the similar ET-270 - the the sunburst sister model to the ET-278 - which he used during the early Bleach era, circa 1990.  Because the models share the same body shapes, woods, and hardware, players and collectors often group them together. 

We just took this one in, which plays great and of course sounds sweet.  It's suprising versatile for a variety of styles.  It came to us with the bridge fixed and no trem arm, so there won't be any dive bombing but let's be real - that's not why someone would want this guitar!

The techs in our shop have set it up to play perfectly, and a gig bag is included.  It's in great shape considering it's age, with normal player wear, and the vibe to be expected for something over 50 years old.  Overall, this is a great score!