The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi Everybody-
I just became the proud owner of a near mint Epiphone Electar Zephyr amp (and steel). The amp is supposedly a '42 and is barely working. Anybody have any info on these? It appears that there's a vibrato but it's not working, and there's a loud pop every time a note is played. I'd like to get it up and running. If nothing else I suppose I could use the Electar and my Oahu Tonemaster to heat the house next winter.
Thanks and Cheers,
Ed

Ed, On an amp that old, if you want to use it you should replace all of the electrolytic and tubular capacitors in it.

Then check all the resistors to be sure they are within 20% of their marked values.

Check the tubes. Preferably by replacement of known good ones.

Install a 3 wire modern line cord and a fuse if the amp does not already have one.

The amp should not be operated until the caps are replaced. If one of the old filters completely shorts it can take out
the rectifier tube, power transformer, or the speaker field coil. (or all of them!)

Blake

I've got a few of these old amps and, while I love them, they need a real good once- or twice-over, including new caps and resistors (which have probably drifted). Sounds like you need new tubes as well, and the popping may be due to arcing on the tube sockets. Bring it to good repairman with lots of experience with old amps. Fix it up, for sure--you'll love it (and if you don't, I'm always looking for another). <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 17 June 2003 at 08:27 AM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks for the replies, guys. I hope to have the amp looked at fairly soon.
Any opinions on the sound of these things? How's the vibrato?
Cheers,
Ed

I love the way they sound, but you can't expect anything but warmth from them. The tone is beefy, no shimmer and they can get fairly loud. The vibrato is nice and smooth with a wide range. By the way, these things DO run hot, so it may not be a bad idea to cool it with a small fan. Django Rheinhart played through one, as did many of the jazz guitarists of that era and, if I'm not mistaken, so did Willie Eason from the Sacred Steel compilation. Cool Art-deco look, too.

Mike,

Although we included a late 1940s photo of Willie Eason with his Epiphone amp in the booklet for Arhoolie CD450, "Sacred Steel," Willie did not play the old Epiphone amp on any of the recordings. He apparently got rid of it years ago. I always thought it would be nice to find one for him for the sake of nostalgia, but it never worked out. His playing days are pretty much over now.

By the way, a colleague is coordinating production of a reissue CD of all 14 of Willie's old 78 rpm sides from the 40's and 50s. He may have used the Epi amp on some of those sessions. I'll post more info on the album as I get it.

Best to all,

Bob<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 18 June 2003 at 07:06 AM.]</p></FONT>

Hi, thanks again for the info.
Sorry to hear that Willie Eason's not playing much any more. His "Near the Cross" on the "Live" CD is one of my very favorites (listening to it right now, as a matter of fact).
I should take this opportunity to thank you, Bob, for the great work you've done with the Sacred Steel recordings. I always wondered what happened to the genre since Blind Willie Johnson died and was surprised and quite moved to discover that it continued to grow and develop. You are the man.
Please give my best regards to Mr. Eason, and tell him that he's got a huge fan in me. I play his stuff for everybody that sets foot in my studio.
Cheers,
Ed

My pleasure, Ed. Getting to know Willie has been a privilege and an honor. He is a great storyteller and all heart.

By the way, no "sacred steel" (Keith or Jewell Dominion) musician I have interviewed--probably 50 or more--ever heard of Willie Johnson.

Thanks again for your kind words. I feel very fortunate to be doing this work and getting to know all these great folks.

Best,

Bob