1970s Epiphone ET-290 Crestwood – Cherry Sunburst – Matsumoku Japan – Used Very Good
When Gibson moved Epiphone production to the Matsumoku factory in Japan in 1970, the result was a line of guitars that has only grown in reputation in the decades since. The ET-290 was the top of that Japanese-era lineup — the Crestwood name carried over from earlier American-made Epiphone history, now reimagined by one of the most respected Japanese factories of the era. Matsumoku built instruments for a long list of major brands during this period and their quality was genuine, not merely serviceable. The ET-290 is proof of that: a maple body and bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard and pearl block inlays, a Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece, and a pair of Gemini humbuckers that deserve a little explanation. These pickups look like standard humbuckers but are something more interesting — the magnet sits to the side of the coil rather than underneath, giving them a tonal character that splits the difference between a true humbucker and a single coil. Warm and fat in the neck position, cleaner and brighter at the bridge, with a middle position that has a Strat-like openness that a standard PAF simply can't replicate. The gold hardware, block inlays, and bound neck give the whole instrument a dressy, substantial look that punches well above its vintage price point. These are getting harder and harder to find in good shape, and collectors and players who know them have been paying attention.
This one has been a shop favorite since it came in — every employee and guitar enthusiast who has picked it up has loved it, which is about as honest an endorsement as we can offer. It sets up nicely, plays great, and has that unmistakable vintage cool that you simply cannot manufacture. Condition is very nice for its age — minimal finish wear, minor fret wear, light tarnish on the gold hardware consistent with fifty years of existence, and a small crack in the pickguard near the output jack shown clearly in the photos. Appears all original. At 8 pounds 4 ounces it has a solid, substantial feel in the hands. Comes with a basic gig bag.
- Make: Epiphone
- Model: ET-290 Crestwood
- Era: 1974-1978
- Country of origin: Japan (Matsumoku)
- Body: Maple
- Finish: Cherry Sunburst
- Neck: Maple, bolt-on
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, pearl block inlays
- Binding: 3-ply neck and headstock
- Scale length: 24.75"
- Nut width: 1.68"
- Frets: 22
- Pickups: 2 Gemini humbuckers (neck and bridge)
- Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way selector switch
- Bridge: Tune-o-matic with stopbar tailpiece
- Hardware: Gold
- Tuners: Stamped vintage-style
- Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz
- Modifications: None apparent — seems all original
- Condition: Used Very Good – minimal finish wear, minor fret wear, light hardware tarnish, small crack in pickguard near output jack (shown in photos)
- Includes: Basic gig bag
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
