Zephyr Deluxe Regent / Sourcing a Frequensator

[cmajor9]

An early 50s Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe Regent has surfaced locally. It seems to be in very good condition, but has a Bigsby in place of the original Frequensator. It also has the original New York pickups, which I know can be very variable in sound, but its with a local dealer, so I would have a 2-week period to try out the guitar.

Two questions: First, for anyone who has experience with an Epiphone electric archtop from this period, what has your experience been? Anything in particular to look out for?

Second, what are the chances of finding an original (non-import) Frequensator and any suggestions of where to look?

Here's a photo of the guitar:

[andrew]

In general, these NYC Epiphones are well made guitars with two potential drawbacks: 1) the pickups. As you mentioned, they vary quite a bit and aren’t necessarily to everyone’s tastes. They can be thin and quacky. 2) Like many other NYC-made guitars from the 50s, they can have binding issues. I see in the photo that the binding is just beginning to pull up a little bit. An experienced repair person can heat up the binding (carefully!) and stretch it back into place.

as far as original frequensators go, they’re extremely rare. And, if you happen to find one that pops up on eBay, it’s going to be expensive. They tend to break, so there is a much larger demand for them than there is a supply. My advice is to buy one of the el-cheapos for $30. They look good. Nobody will be able to tell the difference.

there is something weird about the pickup selector switch on that guitar. Clearly the switch tip has been replaced, but I’ve never seen a ring like that around the selector.

All that being said, if the guitar is the right price (say $3000), they can be excellent instruments. They have good bones and they certainly look awesome. Some people just ask too much money for them and they don’t sell at the higher prices.

[AllanAllen]

Just get a new frequensator. Depending on the string brand you like you might want to buy 2 so the D string reaches the tuning peg. Or you flip the pieces so the short one is on the bottom.

[Cunamara]

Maybe this question should be in a separate thread, but does anybody know how the polepieces on those pickups work? There's no way the pole pieces can be inside the coil because they're right on the edge of the cover; there's simply no room. Are they adjacent to the coil and magnetized through the base plate? Or just decorative? Given the year I assume they are single coils.

Beyond my oddball technical question, I've always thought that era of Epiphone are very nice looking. They knew what they were doing back in those days at least in terms of acoustic instruments, guitar electronics were still kind of in their adolescence.

[brewster]

hi, i'm having a players '33 L-5 rehabilitated. it should be done probably by end of the wk.

one problem with it was that it didn't have the original gibs tp on it. it had an epi frequensator! not sure why. it could be old gold plating or some more brass look but its not nickel.
for the interim, i'm having an appropriate gibs tp put on th L5, tho' its only nickel. i haven't found a gold plater nearby yet but i'd like to get it gold plated to be correct.

i looked on the epi site previously and mine is an early one something like later '30's-'42 era if i remember right. unlike many of the epi tp, mine has only a minimal crack at the bend, don't remember which side as its been away for repairs for awhile.

so i will have one to sell in the near future. need to recoup some of the L5 purchase/repair and gibs tp costs. i haven't researched them as to a fair price yet but just an fyi for you that i will have one. don't know how it relates to a '50's tp look but its probably a bit diff at the end plate, twin string bar parts are prob the same.
pm me your email and i'll send a pix.
b

[cmajor9]

Thanks for the replies! Does anyone know, if I buy a modern (import) Frequensator as a replacement, would it actually have the same dimensions as a 50s US one?

In case I like the guitar, but not sound of the pickups, I have the idea that I could possibly switch them for a pair of T-Armonds I have which I think would sound great. There’s a precedent, as I understand Epiphones were sometimes fitted with Dearmonds as an option, and the T-Armonds can be surface mounted.

Cunamara, I’m right there with you on the design of this era of Epis being very attractive. I’ll admit that’s part of what’s motivating me.

[brewster]

hi again,
i've been poking around since my recent reply.
there is a '51 gold frequensator, missing an acorn nut, on the bay for $895. hmmm. reverb has a few 60's nickel ones.
those are probably a better match for the endpin side of the hinge plate.

those look diff from my old one as my old one has the long pointy plate on the endpin side of the rim.
best to ya on your decisions.
b

[Chezdeluxe]

hi again,
i've been poking around since my recent reply.
there is a '51 gold frequensator, missing an acorn nut, on the bay for $895. hmmm. reverb has a few 60's nickel ones.
those are probably a better match for the endpin side of the hinge plate.

those look diff from my old one as my old one has the long pointy plate on the endpin side of the rim.
best to ya on your decisions.
b

My 49 and 50 Epi Broadway acoustics both have their original frequensators.

My 38 Deluxe has a modern frequensator with the short hinge plate.

There is no tonal difference I can attribute to that modern replacement and I am certainly not paying $895 for an old one.

I have looked at the $895 tailpiece on eBay and I do not think it is from a 51. More likely a shorter less pointed hinge plate version from the Gibson era.

[58flame]

Look out for binding issues. Look - it has some. Check for modifications. Check - Bigsby present.

Me, I'd look for a cleaner one. I don't like to buy known repairs unless it's some screaming deal. I've found one screaming deal my entire life.

If I wanted an Epiphone sounding archtop, I'd take a look at that blonde Campellone that That Rhythm Man just posted. Just a thought.

[garybaldy]

Not mine. Trapeze Frequensator Split Tailpiece Archtop Hollowbody Vintage 40 Nickel | eBay UK