1965 EPIPHONE CABALLERO FT-30

The Epiphone FT-30 Caballero is a concert-sized acoustic guitar. Introduced in 1958, it was produced through 1969, when regular Epiphone production in the United States ended. The FT30 Caballero was made in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gibson and Epiphone were both made in the same Kalamazoo, Michigan plant side by side of one another.

The FT30 Caballero model is actually the same as a Gibson LG-0 from the same time but with a different headstock shape and pickguard. Both were ladder braced and had solid mahogany tops and mahogany sides and backs. Just like an LG-0, the construction is all-solid mahogany with a rosewood fretboard, short 24 3/4" scale, and ladder bracing. This makes for a balanced, mellow sort of tone that has that sort of Americana sound in the lower register. The ladder bracing gives it a distinctly 1930s-guitar voice.

The headstock on the FT30 Caballero differed from the Gibson LG0 headstock to align with Epiphone’s headstock design.    

Some guitarists are known to prefer the FT Caballero model over the LG0 version, claiming the Epiphone version is better for blues playing.