Spirit

### List Price

Spirit I:$399 (Silver)$499 (Ebony)$549 (Vintage Wine Burst, Antique Sunburst)$574.99 (Curly Maple Top)

Spirit II:$449 (Silver)$549 (Ebony)$599 (Vintage Sunburst, Antique Sunburst)$624.99 (Curly Maple Top)

Prices from January 15, 1983 dealer price list

## Body

### Body Binding

Cream, single-ply (Curly Maple Top versions only)

### Finish Options

Silver, Ebony, Vintage Wine Burst, Antique Sunburst

## Hardware

### Truss Rod Cover

Multi-ply Bell; "Spirit" or "Spirit Made by Gibson" silkscreen

### Pickguard

Single-ply, Les Paul Junior shape (Spirit I only)

## Electronics

### Knobs

Speed, gold

The Epiphone Spirit is a solidbody electric guitar produced in 1982. Similar in design to double cutaway versions of the Gibson Les Paul Special or Les Paul Junior introduced in the late 1950s, it features a Schaller 455 wraparound bridge and tailpiece and Tim Shaw-designed humbucker pickups. It was available with one pickup in the bridge position (the Spirit I) or two pickups, at the neck and bridge (the Spirit II).

Introduced in 1982 as part of the American Series along with the Special and USA Map Guitar, it was among the first production model Epiphone instruments to be made in the United States, and among the last to be produced at the historic Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The reason behind this small series of American-built Epiphone guitars, more than a decade after the brand had shifted to budget-conscious Asian import models is unknown. While significantly less expensive than classic Les Paul or SG models, the Spirit was priced between other Gibson-branded "budget" models; more expensive than the Challenger or Sonex-180 but less expensive than The Paul or The SG.

Production of the Spirit began at the Kalamazoo factory in May 1982. Production was expanded to the Nashville factory in September. After lackluster sales, the Epiphone American Series was discontinued and the Spirit was moved to the Gibson brand and its Solidbody Series. Many Epiphone models were returned to the factory, where the headstock was refinished with a Gibson logo. In some cases, an outline of the Epiphone USA logo is visible beneath the black lacquer. Despite publishing a dealer price list for the American Series effective January 15, 1983, no Epiphone-branded Spirits produced in 1983 have been documented.

## Models

While the Spirit was offered in two primary models, the Spirit I and Spirit II, finish variations provided several sub-models.

Basic models were finished in in Silver, Ebony High Gloss, Vintage Wine Burst (a dark red sunburst), and Antique Sunburst (a traditional dark brown or black sunburst). The transparent sunburst finishes were applied directly over the body material, often featuring asymmetrical joints or made of three pieces of wood.

Deluxe models featured bound tops and figured maple veneers (marketed as Curly Maple Tops, regardless of figuring). These deluxe models were also offered in Vintage Wine Burst and Antique Sunburst.

## Pricing

The Spirit was priced differently based on pickup options, finish options, and choice of figured maple top.

All prices are from the dealer price sheet effective January 15, 1983.

Antique Sunburst
 Spirit II