One amazingly beautiful and remarkably well preserved American built Epiphone FT85 Serenader 12 string guitar. This is the Epi version of the Gibson B25-12, made in the same shop by the same Gibson craftsmen using the same materials. I used to own a ’64 Epi Bard 12 string, big huge headstock and sound to match….that’s a Bard you hear Roy Orbison doing the first five notes of “Pretty Woman” on. The Beatles and lots of others were partial to the Epi’s. This little treasure features the smaller concert-style body, but still retains a big, rich, ringing tone. One very important fact about this particular guitar is it’s trapeze tailpiece. If you Google “Epiphone Serenader 12 string” and check the “Images”, you will see that the FT85 came in three different bridge types. Standard bridge pins, an “Ovation style” through-the-bridge string feed, and the trapeze tailpiece. Many, many Epi (and Gibson) 12 string models with the previous bridge types suffer from distorted and cracked tops. The beauitful solid spruce top on this one is flat as can be, with pressure bearing down on, rather than yanking up on the bridge. The overall condition is quite nice for a 46 year old instrument. The top is flat as can be, and still retains a high degree of gloss and lustre, with suprisingly little evidence of strum marks or scratching. Small bit of finish loss at the lower part of the soundhole. Beautiful tortoise shell pickguard is in equally excellent shape, no sign of looseness, Epi logo intact. As is to be expected the finish across the entire top has a high degree of checking, as do the sides (see pix). Big wide Rosewood bridge with adjustable saddle, appears to be Ebony. There is a tiny pencil-point sized chip just below the pickguard. The Mahogany back is glossy and beautiful, showing only one hairline scratch and three small dings, none larger than a BB. The worst marks on the instrument are on the side, near the bottom of the lower bout (see pix), and while unfortunate, are relatively minor when considered against age and overall condition. Neck is straight and true, back is high gloss and undamaged. Frets are VGC, small bit of wear below High E string 1-4, but overall no issues. Very playable 12 String. Face of headstock clean, glossy, couple of tiny marks. Very minor scuffing on top back of headstock. All machines nice and tight, tunes easily. All binding has aged to a lovely antique white and shows no looseness anywhere. Just a gorgeous American classic, and an absolute joy to play. This instrument does not come with case, however it is being stored in a humidified case. Hard case available at additional charge, otherwise will be double box packed for shipping. Can be personally hand delivered within 100 miles of Zip Code 45601 for close to price of shipping. This is a Consignment Item, No Returns, Refund, or Exchanges.