1963 Epiphone Coronet

A 1963 Epiphone Coronet (or Wilshire/Crestwood) in "Silver Fox" is an absolute holy grail of vintage, Gibson-made Epiphone electric guitars.

If you're looking at one, researching one, or somehow lucky enough to own one, here is a breakdown of what makes this specific year and finish so incredibly special.

The Mythos of the "Silver Fox" Finish

The finish is easily the most fascinating part of this guitar. Offered as a custom-ordered color option from 1963 to 1967, "Silver Fox" isn't actually a metallic silver paint.

• How it was made: Gibson took a solid mahogany body, applied a silver/white grain filler into the open wood pores, and then sprayed a translucent, tinted black/dark green nitrocellulose lacquer over the top.
• The Aging Effect: Over the decades, the yellowing of the lacquer causes the dark finish to turn a moody, translucent olive-green or forest-green hue, with the bright silver grain striking right through it.

Fun Fact: Much like Gibson's famous "TV Yellow," Silver Fox was rumored to be designed to look striking and contrast sharply on black-and-white television screens without causing camera glare.  

What Makes 1963 a Key Year?

In 1963, the Epiphone solid-body lineup (manufactured right alongside Gibsons in Kalamazoo, Michigan) was undergoing a major design transition. A 1963 model typically features a perfect storm of highly desirable specs:

• The Pickups: Depending on the exact model, a 1963 solid body is a tone monster. The single-pickup Coronet carried a roaring, raw Gibson-made P-90 dog-ear pickup. Models like the Wilshire or Crestwood featured Epiphone's legendary mini-humbuckers. 
  
• The "Batwing" Headstock: 1963 was the transition year where Epiphone shifted from the older 3-on-a-side "3+3" headstock to the iconic, asymmetrical, 6-in-line "Batwing" headstock shape.
• Premium Wood: Features a lightweight, beautifully resonant solid mahogany slab body and neck, usually paired with a premium Brazilian rosewood fretboard. 
  
• The Neck Profile: Necks from this specific window tend to be on the slimmer side (often around 1+9/16th inches at the nut), making them fast and incredibly comfortable to play. 
• This one has wonderful wood grain.
• World Wide Shipping
• Dayton Vintage Guitars
• Call,text or email ph. 937-613-0690