Vintage Epiphone 70's MIJ Wilshire ET-290 GUITAR DEMO // OFF THE BENCH

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PLAY AND TRADE GUITARS presents this OFF THE BENCH look at an early 1970's Epiphone ET-290 guitar. It's a close cousin of the Wilshire or Crestwood model, but was made specifically for the Japanese market at the Matsumoko plant. The ET-290 was one of the early MIJ Epiphone models after production was moved out of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
AS SEEN ON Craigslist Haul #6, we picked up this ET-290 locally in the Chicago area, and learned from it's previous owner it was featured on recordings by The Road Soda - check out "Champagne Steve," featured in the video! You saw this guitar bought in, ON THE BENCH, and now we present a closer OFF THE BENCH look at this vintage-vibing rock machine! It has a light, resonate body with a mid-range growl and works so well for both clean AND dirty tones. Rock and roll guitar all the way, a great cheap vintage guitar!
You saw John wrestle with this guitar On the Bench, but victory was his! Now it's cleaned up, set up, and ready to scream! Drop us a comment and let us know what you think!
CHECK OUT THE "ON THE BENCH" with this guitar, where we take it apart from top to bottom.
Play and Trade Guitars | Buy // PLAY // Sell |

[@shotgunrebels]

Those epiphone only models kick ass. The Genesis was a great model too.

[@victormyers4052]

I have a black one I bought from Giant Music in Falls Church Va. used in 78 & I'm not sure where or when it was built since there are no serial numbers that I have been able to locate. The pickups are from at least 78 & the last I played it were very noisy with a lot of feedback. Probably due to a cheap amp, lack of experience (my 1st guitar) & even sounds like it may be wiring or a ground issue. Because of that reason as soon as I got the money to buy a new guitar I did. A 83 Ibanez DT-155 Phil Collen model ((of def leopard!) I still have both to this very day! Thanks for airing the video! It's helped me figure a little out about the guitar & brought back many immense memories of my garage/basement band days! God's Blessings!

[@victormyers4052]

PS: lmk if you feel like putting mine on the bench to see what you can do to restore it's original hay day scream! It's rough, but all together original as far as I know! Appreciate this vid! GR8 Job with that burst! Looks & sounds awesome! Take care y'all!

[@johnmcclure4688]

I have the et290n purchased new in the 70's. Pretty much pristine condition. Live the guitar and yet agree, it's quirky. Super light action and very thin neck. Love it.

[@SundayMatinee]

Nice, I love MIJ guitars!

[@101Volts]

This specific model and finish was one of Ricky H. Wilson's Guitar Models (the B-52s.) He didn't play this one much, he's mostly known to play Mosrite models, but this one was used by him live to play both Planet Claire and 6060-842, and it was also used as the 2nd guitar live when Kate or Cindy would play it. Actually, his same guitar was stolen in the late 80s, after Ricky died of AIDS. The band has the serial number recorded, but I don't know what number it is. Come to think of it, you mentioning how resonant and loud this guitar is? I think it has that in common with the two Mosrite Ventures Mark V models that Ricky had. I own a Mark V, but with its earlier confusing name. Acoustically, it's a very loud guitar, for an electric. Ricky had at least 2 different Mosrite models, but I haven't played either of those.

[@camilo1455]

Remove the vol knob & spray the contact cleaner in from the top -- it will seep in past the post. Work it in by spinning the knob back & forth through its travel. That should take care of the snap crackle pop.

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

Thanks for the tip!

[@SuperCollider]

The extended carpenter's joint on this guitar is a good example of Japanese long tenon guitar construction. The idea behind it was to transmit more of the string vibration to the body from the neck to compensate for the fact these weren't solidbody instruments. The lower two screws on the neckplate are likely contacting the back of the pickups to amplify this effect through sympathetic resonance

[@Daviddd10]

what a beaut of a guitar! Idk if Its just my eyes but it has such a unique red color

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

It really does, unlike anything I've seen! Thanks for watching

[@silvrface]

The Neck screws do protrude slightly, but should not hit the back of the pickup (which has a fairly thick clear cover over most of the back)unless the pickup is far too low or longer than stock neckplate screws were substituted. The length of the neck (a "long tenon") was copied from Gibson's set-neck guitars, and actually a great idea for both sustain and tone. These guitars are greatly undervalued based on the year, tone and build quality. The year/name/factory and name(s) (Wilshire/Crestwood and ET-275/278/290) are totally screwed up online (some show Korea/1990's, which is hilarious as I've owned one since the 1980's.The Gibson and Epiphone sites have absolutely no information about early-1970's Epiphones! Buy them now before the records get straightened out and "vintage" prices skyrocket!

[@butchlauer]

You guys should check out the re-issue Wilshire pro's from 2009 to 2011. They have the batwing headstock and glued on neck joints, much closer to the Kalamazoo made Wilshires of the mid 1960s.

[@camilo1455]

Great tip, I will. That is a lovely guitar, seems to have aged gracefully.

[@calebthompson550]

I had a tv silver, it was pretty sweet!

[@houstonsheltonbees814]

Man she cleaned up great 👍 Sweet Red Burst it may just be me but I think the Mesa sounds better upstairs in the Studio 👍 Great Off The Bench guys

[@mcdee56]

Do yourself a favor and get a 90 degree angle input jack. THX

[@camilo1455]

Love that Epi...but I'm wondering if you could list those guitars in that stand behind you, and have you reviewed any of them on video yet?

[@jayjones2821]

“Wil-shy-er” funny

[@slimturnpike]

Are the pickups humbuckers or p90s disguised as humbuckers?

[@warm_spot]

If you guys still read comments and see this one I would love to see a Hagstrom Kent PB from 1974 with 3 pickups this guitar is a beauty and played by David Bowie. At the moment it's tied for my dream guitar with a firebird. Pls try to find one of these.

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

I've never played one of those, would love to try one - love David Bowie. We'll be on the lookout, thanks for watching

[@jeffholliday8304]

That guitar rocks

[@sidiox7857]

I love it

[@nateofnazareth7785]

Is that intro music The Cramps??? Banger whatever it is

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

"Champagne Steve" by the Road Soda, recorded with this very guitar! so good

[@DXXFUS]

I have one of these but in natural, how’s yours doing?

[@charliedurham1954]

Good video,thanks!

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

thanks for watching!

[@CORNPOP24]

My favorite guitar but mine needs repair now. Its great but has to be really watched. My guitar feels like its about to collapse.

[@iplaymytele]

This guitar was the first good guitar I actually gigged with 50 years ago….! I think I paid $125 for it new…..!

[@BuckB3420]

Any way to use shorter screws for the bolt on neck

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

Yea, that's what needs to happen. They should be cut down, good point thanks!

[@silvrface]

NO! they are just long enough to secure the stronger threads into the long-tenon neck, and don't hit the neck pickup unless it's set too low (and there's a plastic surround over most of the pickups' backs)

[@giuliasalerno8017]

#itwillbeMINE

[@ummok6348]

🤘

[@ilikeham4658]

Just inherited my grandfather’s old ET-290. It DOES NOT look as clean as yours.

[@benallmark9671]

Still have it ?

[@ilikeham4658]

@@benallmark9671I do actually my friend repaired some of the pick-ups. Great guitar and piece I want to keep in my family

[@benallmark9671]

@@ilikeham4658 awesome !

[@TheEvdavis7]

Are you selling this or trading ?

[@TheEvdavis7]

?

[@PlayandTradeGuitars]

This sold! It was a really cool guitar, I’d recommend it. Thanks for watching

[@TheEvdavis7]

Play and Trade Guitars no problem