Zephyr Series

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Epiphone Electar Advertisement
1939 Epiphone Electar Advertisement

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

Epiphone Zephyr
1939-1940 Epiphone Zephyr
Epiphone Zephyr
1941-1942 Epiphone Zephyr
Epiphone Zephyr
1942-1949 Epiphone Zephyr - Model Missing Pickguard
Epiphone Zephyr
1950-1953 Epiphone Zephyr - Model Missing Pickguard
  • 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

1939 Zephyr Banjo 1941 Zephyr Banjo
1939 Zephyr Banjo
1941 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

Epiphone Zephyr Mandolin
1939 Epiphone 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

Epiphone Zephyr Lap Steel
Epiphone 6-string Zephyr Lap Steel Guitar
Epiphone Zephyr Lap Steel
Epiphone 7-string Zephyr 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

Epiphone Zephyr
1939-1954 Epiphone Electar Zephyr Amplifier
Epiphone Zephyr
1939-1954 Epiphone Electar Zephyr Amplifier Controls
Epiphone Zephyr
1955 Epiphone 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

Epiphone Zephyr
1939-1954 Epiphone Electar Zephyr Dreadnaught
Epiphone Zephyr
1955 Epiphone Electar Zephyr Dreadnaught

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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