Epiphone launched an extensive range of new instruments in 1942. Among them were several acoustic, dreadnaught-styled models. One of the most popular of these guitars proved to be the FT-110, the immediate ancestor of the Epiphone Frontier seen here.

The FT-30 (“Caballero”), and FT-79 (“Texan”) models debuted at the same time. In it’s original form the FT-110 was round-shouldered, and had a comparatively plain finish. Like other Epiphone flat-tops, it acquired a squarer shape when Gibson took over in 1957.

In 1964, the guitar acquired it’s distinctive “cactus-and-rope”-decorated pickguard. Promotional material described it’s sound as being “authentically American”.

The Frontier was discontinued in 1970.