Description:Epiphone Whilshire solidbody guitar
Available: 1959 to 1970.
Collectibility Rating: 3+3 tuner models: C+, Batwing peghead model: D.
General Comments:
The Gibson-made Epiphone Whilshire guitar was Epiphone's midrange model of solidbody guitars. Nicely made by Gibson and very sleek and fast, these guitars are great playing and sounding. Though not well loved by the guitar community in general, I personally find the Epi Whilshire to be a good value and great guitar. Note the Whilshire is the cousin to the Epiphone Crestwood and Epiphone Coronet.

If you need to figure out the exact year of your Epiphone Whilshire guitar, use the Serial Number. See the Gibson Serial Number Info web page for help determining the exact year.

If you have a vintage Epiphone Whilshire guitar for sale, please contact me at cfh@provide.net

1959 Wilshire introduction specs:
• Symmetrical slab body with square body edges, 1 3/4" deep
• 2 white soapbar P-90 pickups
• Symmetrical pickguard
• Tuneomatic bridge
• NY style knobs.
• Vibrato optional
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Unbound rosewood fingerboard.
• Pearl peghead logo.
• Sunburst or Cherry red finish.

1960 Wilshire specs:

• 1 3/8" deep body with round edges.
• Cherry red finish.

1961 Wilshire specs:

• Black soapbar P-90 pickups.
• Stop tailpiece (vibrato no longer optional).
• Gibson style knobs.

Mid-1962 Wilshire specs:

• Two mini-humbuckers.
• Maestro vibrato optional.

1963 Wilshire specs:

• Asymmetrical body with upper bass horn slightly longer.
• 6 on a side ("batwing") tuner configuration.
• Gold silkscreen Epiphone peghead logo.
• Goofy looking "cheap amp" style barrel knobs often used.
• From 1963 to 1969, the Wilshire and the Crestwood Custom are nearly identical, expect the Wilshire has dot fingerboard inlays, a gold peghead logo, and no fingerboard binding. Also the Wilshire is often seen with a stop tailpiece (where the Crestwood Custom almost never has this option).

1964 Wilshire with a stop tailpiece and the "cheap amp" knobs.


1965 Wilshire specs:

• Red Silver Fox finish optional (Cherry red stain with yellow/silver pore filler).

1966 Wilshire specs:

• Stop tailpiece (vibrato no longer optional).

Discontinued 1970.