/ Register

  1. Win a Broadcaster or one of 3 Teles! The annual Supporting Member Giveaway is on. To enter Click Here. To see all the prizes and full details Click Here. To view the thread about the giveaway Click Here.

NEW GUITAR DAY - 1963 EPI TEXAN - Revisiting My Youth

Discussion in 'Guitar Owners Clubs' started by brookdalebill, Oct 30, 2020.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Oct 30, 2020 #1
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

    Age:
    63
    Posts:
    86,682
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2009
    Location:
    Austin, Tx
    Today I bought/traded for a 1963 Epiphone Texan!
    I had one for 20 years, between 1975-1995.
    That’s between my ages of 18 to 38.
    My first one was also a 1963 model, and had a natural finish.
    It was my first really good acoustic, and was my prized possession the entire time I owned it.
    I pawned it for $500 when I lived in Pr. George, BC, and was unable to reclaim it.
    I wrote my first songs on it, and it was my only acoustic guitar all that while.
    My “new” one is a sunburst (like Frampton’s), is in far better shape, and is 100% original.
    Both of my Texans had the original (crappy) plastic bridge.
    My new one had the original (crappy) grey chipboard case.
    Both have my preferred “short“ headstock, and 1 11/16 nut width.
    I’ll put a non adjustable rosewood bridge on it ASAP.
    I did the same with my first.
    To say I’m happy is a huge understatement!
    I’m 18 again!
    F6E3267B-0E6A-42BD-BAC2-70BC50AB5600.jpeg 7BF027B4-81E7-4558-9146-B0D2722E3A65.jpeg 8E50DC59-9D7A-4BAF-B65A-8BE35B2C3779.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
    SparkleFart, SASouth, Seattlesurfer and 26 others like this.
  2. Oct 30, 2020 #2
    dannyh

    dannyh Tele-Afflicted

    Age:
    54
    Posts:
    1,726
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2005
    Location:
    North Texas
    Beauty! Congrats.

    I had a 63 J45 with the plastic bridge a few years back. The wood bridge does make a big difference.
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  3. Oct 30, 2020 #3
    fasteddie42

    fasteddie42 Tele-Afflicted

    Age:
    31
    Posts:
    1,221
    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2016
    Location:
    Tip of the Mitt
    Ooohhh sunburst is an upgrade!
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  4. Oct 30, 2020 #4
    Telecastoff1

    Telecastoff1 Tele-Afflicted

    Age:
    68
    Posts:
    1,082
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2009
    Location:
    Northern River Rat
    WOW! Congrats! I'm very happy for you! I'll bet it sounds great. I love them old Epi's.
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  5. Oct 30, 2020 #5
    Guitharley

    Guitharley Tele-Holic Gold Supporter

    Posts:
    826
    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2009
    Location:
    Ontario Canada
    oh wow Bill too cool...I know you loved that ole epi from back in the day.......I have been hoping you got a chance to try out the new made in USA texans to give me the lowdown...I found one a couple hours from home in a shop that I will soon venture out to try.

    Your new Texan is a true beauty...enjoy it
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  6. Oct 30, 2020 #6
    Jakedog

    Jakedog Doctor of Teleocity Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    19,272
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2003
    Location:
    The North Coast
    Congrats, Bill! She’s a beauty!!
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  7. Oct 30, 2020 #7
    chezdeluxe

    chezdeluxe Poster Extraordinaire

    Age:
    70
    Posts:
    9,730
    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2007
    Location:
    Brisbane Australia
    Very nice
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  8. Oct 30, 2020 #8
    Ron R

    Ron R Friend of Leo's Silver Supporter

    Age:
    54
    Posts:
    3,766
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2016
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Congrats!
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  9. Oct 30, 2020 #9
    knavel

    knavel Tele-Meister

    Posts:
    372
    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2014
    Location:
    London
    Congratulations! My 1961 Texan is my "cold dead hands" acoustic. I'm happy for you.
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  10. Oct 30, 2020 #10
    fendrguitplayr

    fendrguitplayr Doctor of Teleocity Silver Supporter

    Age:
    69
    Posts:
    13,101
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2006
    Location:
    Greater Boston
    Nice one, congrats!
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  11. Oct 30, 2020 #11
    aging_rocker

    aging_rocker Tele-Afflicted

    Posts:
    1,206
    Joined:
    May 8, 2019
    Location:
    The upsidedown
    So cool! Congrats :cool:
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  12. Oct 30, 2020 #12
    Jerry_Mountains

    Jerry_Mountains Tele-Meister

    Posts:
    420
    Joined:
    May 10, 2014
    Location:
    The City of Mountains, Old Mexico
    Man! Congrats! It's beautiful.
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  13. Oct 30, 2020 #13
    David Barnett

    David Barnett Doctor of Teleocity

    Age:
    64
    Posts:
    13,551
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Location:
    The Far-Flung Isles of Langerhans
    Texan has a longer scale length than the equivalent J45/J50, right?
     
    JamesAM and brookdalebill like this.
  14. Oct 30, 2020 #14
    MickM

    MickM Friend of Leo's Platinum Supporter

    Age:
    63
    Posts:
    4,930
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2006
    Location:
    A steel guitar engagment.
    Looks like somebody put that sweet baby to bed every night with loving care. Very nice!
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  15. Oct 30, 2020 #15
    djh22

    djh22 Tele-Afflicted Silver Supporter

    Posts:
    1,512
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2012
    Location:
    VA
    Your message brought to mind the lyric "I'm 18 and I like it"
    Serious congratulations on a beautiful guitar!
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  16. Oct 30, 2020 #16
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

    Age:
    63
    Posts:
    86,682
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2009
    Location:
    Austin, Tx
    You are correct, sir.
    They are roughly 3/4 inch longer, 25 1/2 inch, like Fenders, or Martins.
    I was hipped to Epi Texans when I was a kid, by the late Larry Jameson, co-founder of Guitar Rez.
    Texans were common/popular in the Texas Old Time Fiddlers contest circuit.
    My Dad was a contest fiddler, and usually placed in the top three.
    I accompanied him countless times in my youth.
    Their longer scale makes them “cut” a little better than J45s and J50s.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
  17. Oct 30, 2020 #17
    dkmw

    dkmw Poster Extraordinaire

    Age:
    65
    Posts:
    5,075
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2016
    Location:
    Florida USA
    It’s funny how objects can take us back in time. It’s a great feeling for us, ahem, older folks.

    Have fun being 18 again and I hope the feeling lasts as long as you have that beautiful guitar!
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  18. Oct 30, 2020 #18
    teletimetx

    teletimetx Doctor of Teleocity

    Posts:
    12,672
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Amazing! Congrats - don’t stay out too late, young man!
     
    LGOberean and brookdalebill like this.
  19. Oct 30, 2020 #19
    LGOberean

    LGOberean Doctor of Teleocity

    Age:
    67
    Posts:
    12,059
    Joined:
    May 31, 2008
    Location:
    Corpus Christi, Texas
    Wow! Lightning can strike the same guy twice! Congrats, Bill. In my present financial state, I cannot afford the reissue Epiphone's come out with, but I am tempted by it. To get an original, twice, is awesome!
     
    brookdalebill likes this.
  20. Oct 31, 2020 #20
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

    Age:
    63
    Posts:
    86,682
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2009
    Location:
    Austin, Tx
    Thanks for all the kind responses!

    P.S.
    I had a busy day of running around, but I just spent a couple of hours with it.
    It sounds glorious, as did my first one.
    It is very even, balanced, and loud.
    The frets are perfect, no wear whatsoever.
    It also intonates beautifully, and is comfortable to play all over the neck.
    It is strung with lights, and though I usually use mediums, I keep lights on it, especially with this bridge on it.
    I wish my wine bar gig was happening.
    It gets iffy this time of year anyway.
    Anyways, I feel like I won the lottery!
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
    TokyoPortrait likes this.
Page 1 of 2
IMPORTANT: Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult!
No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.