There's nothing quite like the lush, enormous sound of a 12-string. Because the 12-string setup sounds big, it's often assumed that a 12-string body should be equally as big, but that's not the case! Although the 12-string market is dominated by jumbos and dreadnoughts, there's a sweet subtlety to small-body 12ers that adds a totally different layer to the rich harmonic experience of a good 12-string.
Manufactured in Kalamazoo from 1963 to 1969, the Epiphone FT-85 Serenader borrowed the "student" size small body of the Gibson LG-series (or the Caballero/Cortez body as it was known in the Epiphone line). At just 14-1/4" across, the small body of the serenader feels tiny relative to other 12-strings, and it also has a short 24-3/4" scale.
The Serenader produces balanced tone that is warm and more straightforward than big-body 12-strings (which can often be overly-bright and overpowering). The Serenader is sweet, and its Spruce top lends the snappy dynamic response of a small-body guitar. It can handle heavy strumming, but the wide feel is also a nice fit for fingerstyle. In so many ways, the Serenader illustrates that a 12-string doesn't have to have an enormous body; if anything, many players might prefer the nuances of a small-body 12-string.
This 1968 Epiphone FT-85 Serenader has been beautifully preserved over the years. It shows some expected playwear, and as with any well-loved vintage guitar, the finish shows checking throughout (see photos). But it is free of severe cosmetic issues or damages. The soundhole label shows some moisture lines from a leaky humidifier sponge, but thanks to that humidifier the body is free of cracks, separations, or issues. It sports its original trapeze tailpiece, original adjustable bridge, original nut, and original tuners. The pickgaurd is original, too, but it lost its Epsilon logo sticker somewhere along the way.
This '68 Serenader plays nicely with medium action, and the grain on the Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and Brazilian Rosewood bridge provide authentic vintage details. The Kalamazoo-era Epiphones are fantastic guitars, and this 12-string feels sweet and approachable. It includes a hardshell case that someone graciously customized to fit the bizarre dimensions of a small-body guitar with a massive over-sized 12-string headstock.