Description

This is the Epiphone Sorrento, Epiphone’s version of the Gibson ES-125 TC, but whilst the Gibson was a student model, Epiphone’s is a cut or two above. On paper, there’s the mini-humbucker, the individual Kluson Deluxe tuners, large oval fingerboard markers and the Tune-a-matic bridge, and intangibly, the guitar just feels really good.

At this stage in the evolution of Epiphone guitars, Gibson had taken over the company and the guitars were made in Gibson’s Kalamazoo, Michigan factory. They had used up all the original Epiphone parts yet were still trying to differentiate the guitars of the two brands. The equivalent Gibson 125 had a P-90 pickup, dot markers and Kluson three on a plate tuners. This gem of an archtop guitar was made from 1960 to 1969, by which time Gibson had decided that Epiphone should be the lesser brand to Gibson, and therefore discontinued the Sorrento.

This one is in “faded shaded” – Epi sunbursts were sold as “shaded” or “Royal olive” and this one has faded substantially. It has a sprinkling of dings of average player wear, the smaller late 60s style (1-9/16″) neck and is missing its pickguard. The metal bridge and mini humbucker give a very modern bright sound compared with the Gibson 125 with its P-90 and rosewood bridge, plus you can always roll-off the tone if you want that darker sound.

If you can possibly get your hands on one of these guitars, do so, as they are simply fabulous, practical, workman-like guitars.

Epi Sorrento Features

• 15 1/2″ Maple hollow body guitar with pointed cutaway
• Mahogany neck
• Rosewood fingerboard with ovl perloid markers
• 20 frets, 14 clear of body
• 1-9/16″ width at nut
• 24 3/4″ scale length
• Chrome Tune-O-Matic bridge
• Mini-humbucking pickup
• Individual nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners
• Original soft shell case