A rare and historically significant instrument, this 1959 Epiphone Zephyr E312T is from the very first year of Gibson's production of Epiphone guitars at the legendary Kalamazoo, Michigan, factory. After acquiring the company in 1957, Gibson utilized the remaining stock of New York-made Epiphone parts, making these early transitional models highly sought-after by collectors. This thinline hollowbody features a grand 17 3/8-inch wide laminated maple body, delivering the warm, airy, and resonant tone perfect for jazz, blues, and early rock and roll. This particular model may be equipped with the original Epiphone "New York" single-coil pickups, prized for their unique clarity and character, which were used before the factory switched to Gibson-made mini-humbuckers. This Zephyr is a true piece of American guitar history, representing the moment two iconic brands merged. In good condition with a replaced knob, it comes with a well-worn, period-correct hard shell case that completes its vintage mojo.