The Epiphone Zenith was released as essentially a student model guitar and cost about $50 in 1948. The Zenith followed the typical Epiphone models of the era: non-cutaway, spruce archtop, brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and sunburst finish.
The model I test drove was shhh-weeet, to say the least. The fretboard appeared new, but the dealer assured me that it was all original. The action was just right and the guitar literally appeared to play itself.
Without a pickup, this particular model was completely acoustic. I played it as such to determine its acoustic quality, figuring that the guitar would sound only better when amplified.
I was a little disappointed with the Zenith's acoustic quality as there was not enough presence, even when strummed vigorously. The Zenith's acoustic volume was on par with that of a cheap $250 acoustic guitar. Even so, the Zenith's acoustic quality was richer and rounder. And as I alluded before, the Zenith played like butter.
The dealer wanted $850 for the guitar with original hardshell case. While the Zenith was in VG to EXC condition (the neck/fretboard were like new), I felt as if the guitar was overpriced by $200-$300.
When asked about amplification, the dealer mentioned that a bridge-mounted pickup would not result in any destruction of the guitar. I wonder, however, just how rich and dark a pickup mounted so far from the fretboard would sound.