Epiphone E-452TD Sorrento Model Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 383789, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, Reunion Blues gig bag case.
"Come Back to Sorrento" goes the old sone, but to most players the Epiphone guitar bearing that name is an unfamiliar model. When Gibson began producing guitars under the Epiphone brand name in 1958-9, most of the instruments were largely similar to various production Gibson-brand guitars. The company always made sure that the products were not identical, but some (like the ES-330/Epiphone Casino siblings) were mighty close!
This E-452TD Sorrento is an interesting case. Although the overall shape and look are similar to Gibson's ES-125TD, the Epiphone carries higher grade fittings including mini humbucking pickups and a Tune-O-Matic bridge. The thinline, single cutaway hollow body is single-bound back and front and the unbound fingerboard has the Epiphone-specific oval pearloid inlay used on several midline models. The long, narrow headstock has a pearl Epiphone logo and is fitted with Kluson deluxe tuners. The hardware is chrome plated like most 1966 era Gibsons.
The list price of this E-452TD in early 1966 was $315 (plus case) which was $5 more then the more popular double cutaway Casino. 287 of these twin-pickup sunburst Sorrentos shipped out in 1966, the model's peak year. This is a neat and handy guitar, a unique package in a thin-body double pickup electric with excellent handling characteristics and a very versatile sound. The mini-humbucking pickups give a brighter snap to the sound than the P-90s mounted in the similar Gibsons; this very cool and eminently playable guitar offers a unique roster of features in a happy combination!
Overall length is 42 in. (106.7 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a nicely original guitar with some light general playwear overall but no heavy wear, damage or repair. The all-original finish has mostly minor dings, scratches and chips, most notably one finish chip off the back of the neck just under the nut on the bass side. All hardware is original and complete showing some general light wear. The neck angle is very good and the frets have some light wear; this is a very good player, a cool and interesting Kalamazoo-made Epiphone riding in a recent Reunion Blues gig bag. Very Good + Condition.
