Epiphone and Marcus King Revive the El Dorado Acoustic

The iconic 70s-era Epiphone returns as a limited-edition Marcus King signature model inspired by the GRAMMY®-nominated artist’s first guitar.

Launch coincides with King's acclaimed Darling Blue / No Room For Blue release and a packed 2026 touring schedule across North America.

NASHVILLE, TN – Epiphone is proud to announce the Marcus King El Dorado, a limited-edition signature acoustic guitar that celebrates the return of one of the brand’s most beloved vintage-inspired models and honors the instrument that helped shape Marcus King’s musical journey. A renowned guitarist, singer, songwriter, and GRAMMY®-nominated artist, King has long shared a deep personal connection with the Epiphone El Dorado, which was his first-ever guitar and a gift from his father. That connection became part of his creative legacy with the release of his acclaimed 2020 Americana album, El Dorado, a tribute to the instrument’s enduring influence and spirit. The Epiphone El Dorado Limited Edition is available worldwide in Antique Natural at authorized Epiphone dealers, Gibson Garage locations in Nashville and London, and online at Epiphone.com.

“This guitar means the world to me. My first El Dorado was a gift from my father, and it carried me through some of the earliest and most important moments of my musical journey,” says Marcus King. “It has always represented family, home, and the songs that shaped me. Partnering with Epiphone to share that feeling with players around the world is an incredible honor, and I hope this guitar inspires people to write their own stories for years to come.”

Watch/share the interview with Marcus King re his new Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado, as well as performs his song “Good Run” on the Gibson Gazette HERE.

Marcus King with his Epiphone El Dorado acoustic limited edition guitar.

The Marcus King El Dorado faithfully captures the character, craftsmanship, and timeless appeal of King’s original guitar while delivering the reliability and performance today’s players expect. Built with all-solid tonewoods, the guitar features a square-shoulder dreadnought body with solid rosewood back and sides and a solid spruce top, producing a warm, resonant voice with clarity, depth, and dynamic response. This classic pairing is designed to open up beautifully over time, giving musicians an instrument that evolves alongside their playing and becomes even more expressive with age.

Vintage-inspired appointments give the Marcus King El Dorado its unmistakable look and feel. The body is accented with four-ply top binding and single-ply back binding, while the 25.5” scale mahogany neck features a comfortable C profile, a headstock volute, and a traditional dovetail joint for a secure, time-tested connection between neck and body. The headstock draws inspiration from 70s MIJ-era styling and includes a bone nut, Epiphone Deluxe tuners with metal buttons, and a mother-of-pearl Epiphone logo. A three-ply bound rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets and rounded-corner mother-of-pearl block inlays completes the classic visual profile.

Personal details throughout the guitar connect the model directly to Marcus King’s story. The belly-down rosewood bridge is fitted with a compensated bone saddle and black pins, along with custom inlays of South Carolina’s outline and Tennessee’s Tri-Star emblem, honoring the places that have shaped King’s life and music. A custom pickguard modeled after the one on King’s vintage El Dorado completes the design, bringing the look of his treasured original into a new era for players and collectors alike.
Designed for the stage, studio, and songwriting room, the Marcus King El Dorado comes equipped with an L.R. Baggs™ Element Bronze under-saddle pickup and preamp. Discreet volume and tone controls are mounted at the edge of the soundhole, providing easy access while preserving the instrument’s clean acoustic aesthetic. Whether capturing an intimate idea at home, recording in the studio, or performing live, the guitar is built to move seamlessly wherever the music takes it.

Each Marcus King El Dorado ships in a hardshell case featuring a Marcus King signature graphic, offering premium protection for a limited-edition instrument with unmistakable heritage. Combining solid tonewood construction, vintage-inspired design, modern electronics, and meaningful personal details, the Marcus King El Dorado stands as both a tribute to a treasured 70s-era Epiphone and a celebration of one of today’s most influential artists.

Marcus King with his Epiphone El Dorado acoustic limited edition guitar.

The limited-edition Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado is available in Antique Natural for a limited time only. A 9-volt battery is required to power the pickup and is not included.

The release of the Marcus King El Dorado guitar arrives during an exciting new chapter for King and The Marcus King Band, who recently unveiled Darling Blue / No Room For Blue (May 1), the second half of their critically acclaimed Darling Blue project. Originally released as a Record Store Day exclusive, the 12-track collection is now available across all streaming platforms and finds King continuing to explore themes of clarity, growth, heartbreak, addiction, and renewal through a powerful blend of heavy rock, bluegrass, country, blues, and Americana.

King and his powerhouse band are also bringing the project to life on the road, with the Waltz Across Texas Tour and Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour visiting major markets including New York City, Nashville, Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta, along with festival appearances, and upcoming shows in July, August, and September 2026. The schedule includes headline dates and special appearances with Mumford & Sons.For updates, tour dates, and announcements, keep up with King on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and his website at marcuskingofficial.com.

Catch Marcus King and his band on tour in the following cities:

Aug 20: Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena (with Zach Top)
Aug 21: Allentown, PA – PPL Center (with Zach Top)
Aug 22: Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater (with Zach Top)
Aug 26: East Hampton, NY – The Clubhouse Hamptons
Aug 28: Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
Sep 11: Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
Sep 12: New York, NY – Summerstage in Central Park
Sep 13: Ithaca, NY – State Theatre of Ithaca
Sep 15: Burlington, VT – Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
Sep 18-20: Telluride, CO – Telluride Blues and Brews Festival
Sep 20: Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena (with Mumford & Sons)
Sep 22: Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater (with Mumford & Sons)
Sep 23: Madison, WI – Kohl Center (with Mumford & Sons)
Sep 29: Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater (with Mumford & Sons)
Oct 1: The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (with Mumford & Sons)
Oct 2: Bossier City, LA – Margaritaville Resort Casino