Zephyr Series
The Zephyr range of instruments included the Zephyr Banjo, Zephyr Mandolin, Zephyr Archtop Guitar, Electar Zephyr Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar and Zephyr Amplifier. This line of instruments was available in "complete outfits" or "starter packs" as we know them today. These outfits typically included the instrument, case, amplifier and a cord. Zephyr amplifers were available in AC or AC-DC models. Zephyr instruments were available in a variety of configurations, including Plectrum and Tenor versions for guitars and banjos. Zephyr Lap Steel guitars were available in 6, 7 & 8 string versions. The Zephyr series intruments were outfitted with Epiphone Master pickups and a Mastervoicer controls. They also sported the metal "Bikini" logo plate, as did othe Epiphone intruments at the time. The "Electar" name was given to most of Epiphone's electric intruments throughout the 1930s and 1940s. |
See Also: Century Series
Contents |
Models
Zephyr
- 1939-1958
- Model E321 & E322
Body:
- Full-depth non-cutaway body
- Maple body with maple top
- 16.375" body width (1939-1949)
- 17.375" body width (1950-1958)
Neck:
- Set mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl notched-block inlays
- Metal peghead logo plate
- 25.5" scale
- 1.68" nut width
Binding:
- 1-ply pyralin body & neck binding
Electronics:
- Epiphone Master pickup (1939-1949)
- NY pickup (1950-1953)
- DeArmond pickup (1954-1958)
Pickup Position
- Pickup in bridge position with metal cover (1939-1941)
- Pickup in middle position (1942-1949)
- Pickup in neck position (1950-1958)
Controls:
- 2 control knobs on Mastervoicer plate (1939-1950)
- Mastervoicer discontinued (1951)
- 1 Vol. 1 Tone controls (1951-1958)
Hardware:
- Nickel hardware
- Nitrocellulose pickguard
- Rosewood bridge & base
- Trapeze tailpiece (1939-1958)
- Optional frequensator tailpiece (1950-1958)
- Carousel knobs on white pyralin dial with position markers
Colors:
- Natural Blonde - E321
- Sunburst - E322
Zephyr Tenor
- Model 321T & 322T
- 1939-1958
- 4-string short-scale guitar
Zephyr Plectrum
- 1939-1949
- 4-string long-scale tenor guitar
Zephyr Banjo
- 1937-1954
Names:
- Electar Banjo 1937-1938
- Renamed to Zephyr Banjo 1939-1954
Models:
- Zephyr Tenor Banjo (short-scale)
- Zephyr Plectrum Banjo (long-scale)
Body:
- Curly maple top
- Maple back & sides
Neck:
- Maple neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with block inlays
- Metal "Epiphone" logo plate
Binding:
- 5-ply pyralin body binding
- Single-ply pyralin neck binding
Electronics:
- Epiphone Master pickup
- 1 Epiphone Mastervoicer tone control
- 1 Volume control
Hardware:
- 4:1 ratio banjo tuners
- Tortoise shell pickguard
- White carousel knobs on Mastervoicer plate
- Trapeze tailpiece
Colors:
- Natural
- Shaded
Zephyr Mandolin
- 1939-1954
- Model ME11 & ME12 (1950-1954)
Body:
- Curly maple top with f-holes
- Maple back & sides
Neck:
- Rosewood fingerboard with block inlays
- Metal logo plate
Binding:
- Body & neck pyralin binding
Electronics:
- Epiphone Master pickup
- Epiphone Mastervoicer tone control
Hardware:
- Tortoise shell pickguard
- White carousel knobs
- Adjustable rosewood bridge & base
- Mandolin tailepiece
Colors:
- Blonde (ME11)
- Sunburst (ME12)
Zephyr Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar
- 1939-1957
Models:
- Model HZ6 - Six String Lap Steel
- Model HZ7 - Seven String Lap Steel
- Model HZ8 - Eight String Lap Steel
Body:
- Rock Maple Body with jet black finish & white Pyralin top veneer
Neck:
- One-piece black metal fretboard and control plate
- Etched fret marks and position indicators
- Multi-color fret dot Markers
- Epiphone bikini logo headstock plate
- Squared headstock
- 22.5" scale
Binding:
- Pyralin body binding
Electronics:
- Single-coil Epiphone Master Pickup
- Volume and Master Voicer tone control
Hardware:
- Chrome-plated rectangular pickup cover attached to body with thumb screws
- Closed back tuners with metal "E" and triangle logo
- Pearloid buttons
- Carousel knobs
- Aluminum nut
Colors:
- Sunburst
- White
- Black
Electar Zephyr Amplifier
Models:
- Electar Zephyr 1939-1954
- AMP-20 Zephyr 1955-1958
Power:
- 7 tubes
- Alternating & Direct current control (1939-1948)
- Alternating Current only (1949-1958)
- 20 watts (1939-1954)
- 30 watts (1955-1958)
Speakers:
- 15" speaker
Inputs:
- 2 independent input channels
- 2 Input jacks
Controls:
- Controls on top of amplifier
- Volume, tone controls
- On/off indicator light
- Vibrato with remote cable & footswitch (1949-1958)
Chassis:
- 22.5" tall
- Angled back
- Ventilation slots on back
- Comes with slip-over waterproof Mackintosh cover
Frame Materials:
- Curly maple cabinet (1939-1954)
- Pressed fibre cabinet (1955-1958)
Grille:
- Cloth grille cover with Electar "E" cutout (1939-1954)
- Cloth grille with traditional Epiphone "E" screen printed logo (1955-1958)
- Window frame-shaped front (1955-1958)
Carrying Handle:
- Metal carrying handle (1939-1954)
- Rubber carrying handle (1955-1958)
See Also: AMP Series
Electar Zephyr Dreadnaught Amplifier
Models:
- Zephyr Dreadnaught 1939-1954
- AMP-10 Dreadnaught 1955-1958
Power:
- 9-tubes
- Alternating & Direct current control (1939-1948)
- Alternating Current only (1949-1958)
- 30 watts (1939-1954)
- 50 watts (1955-1958)
Speakers:
- One 15" speaker (1939-1954)
- Two 12" speakers (1955-1958)
Inputs:
- 2 independent input channels
- 2 Input jacks
Controls:
- Push/pull parallel circuit
- Volume, treble & bass controls
- On/off indicator light
- Vibrato with remote cable & footswitch (1949-1958)
- Vibrato with strength & speed control
Frame Materials:
- Wood cabinet with yellow tweed plastic coated casing (1939-1954)
- Pressed fibre cabinet (1955-1958)
Grille:
- Cloth grille behind slotted case cutouts (1939-1954)
- Cloth grille with traditional Epiphone "E" screen printed logo (1955-1958)
- Window frame-shaped front (1955-1958)
Carrying Handle:
- Metal carrying handle (1939-1954)
- Rubber carrying handle (1955-1958)
See Also: AMP Series
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