1972-75 Epiphone EA-250, as made famous by Robert Smith & Noel Gallagher

From Hot, Hot, Hot to Supersonic.  From last to first.  As played by Robert Smith on last ever The Tube, and by Noel Gallagher on Oasis debut single, Supersonic.  One of the very first Japanese Epiphones, the iconic and eye-catching EA-250.  

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Resilience.  Of all of the famous and iconic guitar brands, I'd say Epiphone holds the crown for resilience.  From boom to bust (or near-bust), not once, but with almost determined regularity, across the decades.  That is, at least, until the 1990s, when things all seemed to come together to create the momentum that has broken Epiphone free of the rollercoaster.  A story best told by Epiphone.  

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But it's one of those near-bust moments which sets the scene for the transition to Japan in 1970, as Gibson decided to shut down all Epiphone production in the US.  So little were Gibson investing at the time, the early Japanese production consisted of putting the Epiphone brand on guitars that had already been designed, as originals, copies or derivatives, in the Matsumoku plant.  And then selling them back in the US as Epiphones.  All those classic Casinos, Rivieras, and Sheratons - all on hold until reborn in the 80s.  Instead a narrow range of designs that seemed to follow the mould, but which were definitely different.  Which is what makes the early models from Japan so unique.  And, just like this Cherry EA-250, beauties to behold.

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No surprises then that you'll see one in the hands of Epiphone-superfan Noel Gallagher in 1994, on the cover of debut single Supersonic, and live.  But the story I most love is how it got to be in the hands of The Cure's Robert Smith on the last ever The Tube.  I so hope it's true.   For those too young to remember, The Tube ran from 1982 - 1987 -  a gloriously anarchic and unpredictable music show, broadcast live, with live bands (strictly no miming).  The Cure was the last band to play on the last ever The Tube.  And Robert Smith is playing an EA-250.  The background to that appearance might be down to Equipboard contributor Noodly, and it's a beauty:  "I bought this guitar off a workmate around 1979 and was told it was about 10 years old. It had a nice thin neck and lovely feel. I was stupid to get rid of it, but a girl I fancied pretended to want to learn guitar and then persuaded me to sell it to her. A week later she told me she had left it outside Robert's parents' house as a present just before his 25th birthday on 21st April 1984, a week before the last Tube episode on 27th April 1984. He sent her a letter thanking her for the present and confirming he played it on the Tube." 

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Noodly's story may not be entirely true.  It's definitely not accurate.  Robert Smith's 25th birthday was indeed on 21 April 1984, but the last ever Tube wasn't until three years later, in 1987.  So you won't find the post on Equipboard any more.  But it's such a perfectly British, perfectly thwarted love story, I still hope it's somehow true.  The girl got a thank you letter.  Noodly didn't get the girl.  But he got to tell the story, and he didn't give her the guitar for free (which is probably enough of a clue that it was never meant to be, Noodly).  And we get to see the EA-250 in the hands of Robert Smith.  Glorious times.  Now, it's time to put it into your hands!