Pure Southern Soul: Epiphone Unveils the Marcus King Signature El Dorado
Epiphone unveils Marcus King Signature El Dorado acoustic guitar featuring solid rosewood and spruce, L.R. Baggs electronics, and vintage 1970s styling.
Epiphone has officially announced the launch of the Marcus King Signature El Dorado Electro-Acoustic Guitar in Antique Natural. This limited-edition model pays tribute to the very first guitar owned by the Grammy-nominated blues-rock singer-songwriter—an instrument that profoundly shaped his musical identity and inspired the title of his acclaimed 2020 solo album, El Dorado.
Designed to replicate the vintage charm and projection of King's original 1970s instrument while delivering modern performance reliability, the new signature dreadnought combines premium all-solid tonewoods, custom period-correct aesthetic appointments, and stage-ready electronics.
Premium All-Solid Tonewoods and Vintage Construction
At the core of the Marcus King El Dorado is a classic square-shoulder dreadnought body built with solid Rosewood back and sides and a solid Spruce top. This traditional combination yields a rich, articulate, and resonant acoustic tone with deep lows, crisp highs, and exceptional volume that matures as the woods age.
The guitar features an inviting Mahogany neck carved to a Rounded “C” profile, paired with a 25.5-inch scale length for balanced string tension and clear note definition across all 20 frets. A smooth Rosewood fingerboard is decorated with mother-of-pearl block inlays, complemented by a genuine bone nut and vintage-style 1970s headstock aesthetics.
Key design highlights include:
- Custom El Dorado Pickguard: Modeled directly after the scratchplate on Marcus King’s original guitar.
- Period-Correct Styling: Four-ply top binding, single-ply black back binding, and a classic belly-down Rosewood bridge with nickel hardware.
- Premium Protection: Ships inside an Epiphone black custom hardshell case adorned with Marcus King signature graphics.
Stage-Ready L.R. Baggs Electronics
Engineered for both the recording studio and live performance, the guitar comes equipped with an L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC under-saddle pickup and preamp system. The pickup accurately translates the instrument's natural acoustic resonance without harshness or artificial coloration.
To maintain the pristine vintage look of the body, volume and tone controls are mounted discreetly inside the soundhole, allowing players to make quick tonal adjustments on stage without compromising the guitar's clean aesthetic.
Pricing and Availability
The Epiphone Marcus King Signature El Dorado Electro-Acoustic Guitar is available now through authorized Epiphone dealers worldwide at an MSRP of $999 USD / £949 GBP.
For complete details, full technical specifications, and purchase information, visit the official product listing on Gibson.com.
Technical Specifications At a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
| Model | Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado |
| Finish | Antique Natural |
| Top Material | Solid Spruce |
| Back & Sides | Solid Rosewood |
| Neck Profile | Mahogany, Rounded “C” |
| Scale Length | 25.5” (648 mm) |
| Nut Width & Material | 1.69” (43 mm), Bone |
| Electronics | L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC |
| Hardware | Epiphone Deluxe Tuners, Nickel Finish |
| Included Case | Custom Black Hardshell Case with Marcus King Graphics |
| MSRP | $999 USD / £949 GBP |
- +Authentic 1970s vintage aesthetics and styling
- +Premium all-solid tonewoods (spruce top, rosewood back/sides)
- +Stage-ready L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC electronics
- +Period-correct details including custom El Dorado pickguard
- +Includes premium custom hardshell case with signature graphics
- +Rounded 'C' neck profile for comfortable playability
What are the tonewoods used in the Marcus King El Dorado?
The guitar features a solid spruce top paired with solid rosewood back and sides, a combination designed for rich lows, crisp highs, and exceptional acoustic projection that ages beautifully over time.
What electronics does the Marcus King El Dorado include?
The guitar is equipped with an L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC under-saddle pickup and preamp system. Volume and tone controls are discreetly mounted inside the soundhole for stage adjustments without compromising aesthetics.
How much does the Marcus King El Dorado cost?
The Epiphone Marcus King Signature El Dorado retails for $999 USD or £949 GBP and ships with a custom black hardshell case featuring Marcus King signature graphics.
What inspired the design of this signature model?
The guitar replicates Marcus King's original 1970s dreadnought acoustic, the instrument that shaped his musical identity and inspired his 2020 solo album 'El Dorado.' It features period-correct styling and a custom El Dorado pickguard modeled after the original.
