1963 Epiphone Bard FT-112 12-String — Kalamazoo, Michigan — Very Good Condition

A beautiful 1963 Epiphone FT-112 Bard 12-string acoustic, built by Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is a fantastic example of the early Kalamazoo-era Epiphones and a particularly desirable version of the Bard, with the original-style pinned, belly-up rosewood bridge used on the early 1962–1965 examples.

The FT-112 Bard was introduced in 1962 and was Epiphone's answer to Gibson's B-45-12. It is a large, square-shoulder dreadnought 12-string with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, and rosewood fingerboard. Production continued through 1969.

Condition

This guitar is in Very Good vintage condition for its age, with the expected cosmetic signs of more than 60 years of age. It has the wonderful vintage character, patina, and feel that you simply don't get from a modern reproduction.

The guitar presents beautifully and is a great choice for either a player looking for a genuine vintage 12-string or a collector looking for an authentic Gibson-made Epiphone.

Please review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of the instrument's cosmetic condition.

Kalamazoo-Era Epiphone

The Kalamazoo-made Epiphones occupy an important place in American guitar history. During this period, Epiphone instruments were being manufactured by Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, alongside the company's Gibson instruments. The Bard is essentially Epiphone's counterpart to Gibson's B-45-12, sharing the same general concept of a big-bodied American-made 12-string. 

These vintage Kalamazoo Epiphones have become increasingly collectible because they combine Gibson-built American craftsmanship, distinctive period designs, and relatively limited production. Original and well-preserved examples are particularly sought after by vintage guitar collectors and players.

The FT-112 Bard is also historically interesting because it went through several design changes during its production run. The early guitars, including this 1963 example, feature the traditional belly-up rosewood bridge with bridge pins. Later Bards received a pinless bridge, and by 1967 the design had changed again to a rectangular bridge with a trapeze tailpiece.

Specifications

• Brand: Epiphone

• Model: FT-112 Bard

• Year: 1963

• Country: USA

• Factory: Gibson, Kalamazoo, Michigan

• Configuration: 12-string

• Body Style: Square-shoulder dreadnought

• Body Width: Approximately 16.25"

• Body Depth: Approximately 4.875"

• Scale Length: 24.75"

• Nut Width: Approximately 2"

• Number of Frets: 20

• Top: Spruce

• Back: Mahogany

• Sides: Mahogany

• Neck: Mahogany

• Fingerboard: Rosewood

• Fingerboard Inlays: Dot

• Headstock Inlay: Decorative pearl oval

• Body Binding: 7-ply

• Rosette: Multi-ply, two-ring

• Bridge: Rosewood, belly-up style

• Bridge Type: Pinned, early Bard specification

• Saddle: Adjustable

• Tuners: Period-style plate-mounted tuners with pearloid buttons

• Hardware: Nickel

• Pickguard: Tortoiseshell-style Epiphone pickguard

• Finish: Natural

• Finish Type: Gloss

• Electronics: None

• Pickup: None

• String Type: Steel

• Orientation: Right-handed

The published FT-112 specifications identify the model with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24.75" scale, 16.25" body width, 7-ply binding, nickel hardware, adjustable rosewood bridge, and tortoise pickguard. 

Sound & Playability

This is the classic vintage 12-string sound: big, warm, harmonically rich, and beautifully jangly, with plenty of projection from the dreadnought body. The shorter 24.75" scale gives the guitar a comfortable feel while the wide 2" nut provides the room you'd expect from a traditional 12-string.

It's equally at home with folk, rock, country, blues, and singer-songwriter material—or simply filling a room with that unmistakable 1960s acoustic shimmer.

A 1963 Kalamazoo-built Epiphone Bard is a special vintage instrument with genuine historical significance, and this Very Good example offers the opportunity to own one of Gibson's American-made Epiphone 12-strings from the heart of the Kalamazoo era.

A beautiful vintage Epiphone for the player, collector, or anyone who loves the sound and character of a great old 12-string.