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Topic: Epiphone/Electar Model M: the blue & gold ones |
Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 18 Aug 2014 8:27 am |
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I recently picked up a '38 Model M with the gold and white finish, and I'm trying to figure out the story behind these later examples. This is what I've been able to determine so far; does anyone have anything to add or correct?
It looks like the blue and gold Ms were only built in 1938 and seem to have supplanted the all-black versions for perhaps 6 months to a year before the M was replaced altogether by the Zephyr. I think the blue and the gold ones were built simultaneously, since they both can be found with and without the bass roll-off knob; it would be unusual for a steel to be offered in multiple finishes at the time.
There are a few minor differences between the blue and the gold Ms. The blue ones have rosewood boards and chrome-plated hardware (except for a non-plated aluminum bridge), and light grey finish on the back & sides. The gold ones have maple boards and gold-dyed anodized hardware, and a white (not grey) finish on the back and sides. The tuners on my gold M have tuners that are either bronze plated or solid bronze.
I'd be grateful for any additional info you guys can provide, as all the catalogs I've seen show the earlier black version.
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John McCall
From:
New York, New York, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2014 12:31 pm
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| The original M has a horseshoe magnet pickup. |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 18 Aug 2014 12:57 pm
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| The horseshoe was replaced by Herb Subshine's adjustable pickup in 1937; the blue and gold Ms were built starting around a year later, so none of them have horseshoe pickups. |
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C. E. Jackson
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Matthew Dawson
From:
Portland Oregon, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2014 10:15 pm
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I have a transitional model that is black and has three knobs (Volume, High Cut, Low Cut) but also has the Meissner horseshoe. I also have the original matching amp that runs off AC with no power transformer. It is the same set that Bob Dunn is seen playing in a famous picture. The late '30's Epiphones seem to show up a lot in pictures with famous recording artists in the late '30s.
Last edited by Matthew Dawson on 18 Aug 2014 10:26 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Matthew Dawson
From:
Portland Oregon, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2014 10:18 pm
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| I think the white octagonal pointer knobs must be some of the ultimate unobtainium. Your blue Epiphone is excruciatingly cool. |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 19 Aug 2014 3:53 am
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| Matthew Dawson wrote: |
| The late '30's Epiphones seem to show up a lot in pictures with famous recording artists in the late '30s. |
Both Tommy Castro and Jake Keliikoa were photographed with Model Ms. They must have looked ultra-moderne in their day.
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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 19 Aug 2014 3:57 am
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You find some very cool instruments.
My first lap steel was a Model M that I bought at a flea market. I have a real soft spot for that guitar, though it has been modded significantly, but I have to say, most Electars I've owned or played through the years were just OK. The Zephyr and the Model M are definitely a step above the Century, though--maybe 2 steps.
I have never played a double neck or console Electar.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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David Stilley
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2014 4:34 am Real beauties!
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Noah, Those are a beautiful pair the blue 6 st. and the beige 8-string. Seems like that 3rd knob might get in you right hand/thumb's way, does it? I think my thumb pick would be clacking against it constantly when playing the lowest strings.
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GFI Ultra U-12 7+5 E9/B6, Roland Cube 80XL, Telonics FP-100 Volume pedal with TMRS remote sensor (courtesy of Dave Beaty and Telonics) |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 22 Aug 2014 4:43 am Re: Real beauties!
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| David Stilley wrote: |
| Noah, Those are a beautiful pair the blue 6 st. and the beige 8-string. Seems like that 3rd knob might get in you right hand/thumb's way, does it? I think my thumb pick would be clacking against it constantly when playing the lowest strings. |
Neither of those are mine; I just put them up as examples. My gold one is similar to the one above, but it doesn't have the black plates under the knobs. I don't use picks, but I think you'd have to be a good inch off the mark in order to hit the knob. |
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Jim Wilmoth
From:
California, USA
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Posted 11 Aug 2015 10:39 am Electar - Just Okay
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I realize this thread is a bit old. I absolutely adore the look of the Electar Zephyr but the output of the pickup on mine is low and speaks to the "just OK" comment. I'm considering getting it rewound but I'm curious on people's thoughts if that is preferable to retrofitting with a different pickup that does not require modding (i.e. cutting into) the Zephyr body.
thanks!
| Mike Neer wrote: |
You find some very cool instruments.
My first lap steel was a Model M that I bought at a flea market. I have a real soft spot for that guitar, though it has been modded significantly, but I have to say, most Electars I've owned or played through the years were just OK. The Zephyr and the Model M are definitely a step above the Century, though--maybe 2 steps.
I have never played a double neck or console Electar. |
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