Gibson EPIPHONE User Manual

The Epiphone Company

A Division of Gibson Musical Instruments

645 Massman Drive

Nashville, Tennessee

37210-3781 USA

© 2003 The Epiphone Co.

Owners Manual

For Your Records

Model_______________________________________
Serial No._____________________________________
Date Purchased__________________________________
Dealer Address__________________________________

__________________________________________

Dealer Phone___________________________________

Remember to keep your purchase receipt. It is necessary for warranty coverage.

The Epiphone Story

Late in the 19th century, a Greek luthier and violin maker
named Anastasios Stathopoulo moved his family to New
York in search of a better life. He found it - and built a com­pany that became one of the greatest names in instruments.

The “House of Stathopoulo” was opened in 1873 and
Anastasios brought his 17 year old son, Epaminodas (also
known as “Epi”), into the company in 1910.“Epi”and his
father soon named some of their new instruments Epiphone
and the legend began.

After 47 years of Epiphone production, Gibson USA
acquired the rights to the Epiphone name in 1957 and began to build Epiphones
in 1959. Under the guidance of Gibson USA, Epiphone continued to set new
standards for quality, value and innovation.

Today, with dedicated Epiphone engineers, product specialists, and skilled
craftspeople at our facilities in Nashville, Tennessee, we continue to design and set

rigid quality and performance standards for each Epiphone instrument.

Every Epiphone employee is committed to producing the finest musical
instruments available and ultimate customer satisfaction. Our Limited
Lifetime Warranty* is a symbol of that commitment and your assurance
that this Epiphone will give you years of trouble-free enjoyment.

“Epi” Stathopoulo

Care Of Your Instr ument

We recommend that you always keep your instrument in a case when transporting or
storing it. This reduces the possibility of damage due to nicks and jams, and sudden changes
in climate or atmosphere.

Carry the case with the lid towards your body. In the event that you have not properly
fastened the latches and the case opens, the lid will fall against your leg and prevent the
instrument from falling on the ground. Never put your instrument in the trunk of your car or
place anything on top of it.

Perspiration can damage the finish of your instrument so always wipe down your guitar
after playing or before storing with a clean soft cloth. Polishing it with some high gloss guitar
polish or a good quality carnauba wax polish will prolong the durability of the finish.

Tuning Your Instrument

Many individuals have their own method of tuning their instrument. We recommend the
following method.An Epiphone guitar is tuned to A-440; utilizing a tuning fork, electronic tuner
or pitch pipe.The following chart shows how different instruments are tuned. The first string,
for this purpose, is considered to be the smallest diameter. Tune the two outside strings first,
then tune towards the center. This equalizes the pressure on the bridge and allows rapid

Guitar

6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st

E A D G B E

Bass

4th 3rd 2nd 1st

E A D G

tuning. Check
intonation.

Action Adjustment

Action is the distance that a string must be depressed before it meets the fret. Action
measurements are taken in 64th’s of an inch, and are calculated from the top of the 12th fret
to the underside of the string. we set the action on all instruments at the factory to the
optimum playability setting.On occasion, lower than standard settings are desired by the
player. This can be achieved by adjusting the bridge studs (See Tune-o-matic Bridge).Lower
than standard action can often result in “buzz” or “rattle”.This is caused by the string vibrating
against the fret. Buzz or rattle caused by lower
than standard action is not considered a defect
of the instrument.

All Epiphones are set at the 1st fret.
Treble strings are cut to 1/64” and the action
progresses up to 2/64” on the bass strings.
Be sure that the truss rod is properly adjusted!

Action at the 12th fret

Treble Side Bass Side

Electric Guitars 4/64 6/64
Acoustic Guitars 5/64 7/64
Bass Guitars 5/64 7/64

Trussrod Adjustment

All guitar necks are subject to great stress as a result of string tension, humidity or
changes in climate. Occasionally there are times when the neck may need adjustment.
The truss rod is adjustable at the headstock, using an allen wrench or an adjustment wrench.

NOTE:This adjustment should be performed periodically and only by qualified repair
personnel. Over adjustment can result in damage to the instrument and will not be
covered under warranty.

Intonation and Saddle Adjustment
for a Tune-o-matic Bridge

Your Tune-o-matic Bridge equipped Epiphone guitar comes to you pre-adjusted. But several

adjustment options are available to you:

1. String Height or Action*

The height adjustment of the bridge can be set by using the two slot-head screws on either

side of the Tune-o-matic Bridge. clockwise to lower, counter-clockwise to raise.

2. Adjusting The Intonation *

Intonation adjustment is usually only necessary when different gauge strings are fitted
(it can also be affected by the angle of a tremolo unit). The saddle positions are adjusted by
the individual slot-head screws located on the front of the bridge, sliding the saddles forward
or backward.To check the intonation: Use an electronic tuner and tune the guitar to a
standard pitch.

NOTE: All Epiphone guitars use A-440 for standard pitch. Play the harmonic at the 12th

fret, compare it to the fretted note at the 12th fret, these notes should read the same on

the tuner.

Before adjusting the intonation, first determine the direction that the saddle needs to be
moved.If the 12th fret harmonic pitch is lower than the fretted note, slide the saddle back.
If the 12th fret harmonic pitch is higher than the fretted note slide the saddle forward.

* (Adjusting the intonation and string height will affect the playability of your guitar.If you
are unsure of any of the above operations please take your guitar to an Authorized Epiphone
Dealer or experienced guitar technician.)

The Tune-o-matic Bridge

Slot-Head Height
Adjustment Screws

Saddles

Slot-Head Saddle
Adjustment Screws