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Info for an electric, 1960's Epiphone Olympic electric
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Author:  jbmckim [ Tue Nov 12, 2019 3:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Info for an electric, 1960's Epiphone Olympic electric

Attachment:
Epiphone Olympic.JPG
Please read this first: This isn't the guitar I'm asking about but is close to the Olympic I own (including pick guard detail). Mine is currently in a couple different places as I've currently torn it apart for measurement's and making templates.

I'm looking for anyone that might have an electric Epiphone Olympic from the 60's lying around or who has info on same. If that's you, I'd appreciate info or measurement on the nut width (i.e. neck width at the nut) and 1st fret and 12th (throw in depth measurements for bonus points). Mine is 1.58 inches at the nut, a dimension I can't find anywhere (and I did check my micrometer). I have one that was upgraded (rather badly IMO) to mini-humbuckers. It also has a Badass style rap around bridge/tailpiece - I don't see these guitars online anywhere. Despite the rough conversion, this thing played like a beast and offered an amazing variety of tone by manipulation of the volume and tone pots. I could could even get a fair imitation of "Strat Quack." It has no repair/mod marks on the top of the body so I have no idea of it's origin. I've had this thing since the early 70's. It's dead now but I may start rewiring it soon. I've started building similar guitars (2 so far - 1 complete, 1 in process) out of pallet wood using off the shelf Asian necks.

I'm working on my second right now and playing around with taking the (stock neck) down a bit. This still wouldn't match the original but I wouldn't mind getting a little closer than my last build.

Thanks.

Author:  Conor_Searl [ Tue Nov 12, 2019 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Info for an electric, 1960's Epiphone Olympic electric

This is an Epiphone Coronet isn't it? I think Olympics are arch tops. I'm no expert though.

Author:  jbmckim [ Tue Nov 12, 2019 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Info for an electric, 1960's Epiphone Olympic electric

Here's a Coronet. https://reverb.com/p/epiphone-coronet-electric-guitar

Note difference in pickup and pick guard configuration. Also, note that the headstock of the two models is different. Coronet is 3+3, Olympic is Batwing (like the Wilshire).

Apparently the Olympic name was also used for some sort of acoustic f-hole arch top from Epiphone. However, if you Google Epiphone Olympic electric you'll see what I'm talking about.

Author:  J De Rocher [ Wed Nov 13, 2019 11:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Info for an electric, 1960's Epiphone Olympic electric

Conor_Searl wrote:
This is an Epiphone Coronet isn't it? I think Olympics are arch tops. I'm no expert though.


The name "Olympic" was indeed used for solid body electrics in the 60s.

It was also used for a small bodied archtop guitar in the 1930s more recently made quite famous by David Rawlings (I used to own one of those). Epiphone did a reissue of the archtop Olympic a couple years ago under the Masterbilt moniker.

Author:  John Lewis [ Thu Nov 28, 2019 1:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Info for an electric, 1960's Epiphone Olympic electric

1.58" at nut equals 1 9/16" which is a size they used for a while. Check out http://www.guitarhq.com/ for info about vintage guitars. It may give you the info you need.

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