Epiphones Anyone?

Dana Duplan · Post by **Dana Duplan** » 20 Oct 2000 5:20 pm

I'd be interested to hear opinions and/or experiences with Epiphone lap steels. The blurb on Brad's page isn't too favorable but they sure look nice!
Thanks,
DD

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 20 Oct 2000 7:34 pm

I've got an old Electar Zephyr that I love! Really high output and a sweet, kinda singing tone. It doesn't have a lot of nuance but it sure cuts through well in a mix. I'd love to get one of the Electar 7 strings someday.

Mike Black · Post by **Mike Black** » 21 Oct 2000 9:18 am

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 21 Oct 2000 9:33 am

I had one with the New Yorker pickup in it.It was mint,beauitful,but the sound was not for me.I am with Brad on these.I think they are great for display.

Jason Lollar · Post by **Jason Lollar** » 21 Oct 2000 10:54 am

I worked on a guys double 8 Epi console and I thought it was pretty good, a plain old steel guitar sound. I think it had an inductor in the tone control that gave it a heavy wah effect which could be big fun once in a while to make that horn section sound with the rubber plunger. I would buy one if I didnt already have a Stringmaster and a good deal was to be had. I think the tuning pegs had plastic knobs which could be a problem if they have deteriorated.

Billy Jones · Post by **Billy Jones** » 21 Oct 2000 11:14 pm

I was called in to do a session at RCA many years ago .. 1952 to be exact. I was playing a National D8 at the time but I had taken it apart and didn't have the time to reassemble it and get to Montreal. I borrowed Rudy Valtri's Epiphone hoping it would do the trick. It did and I was surprised although I wasn't used to the guitar and had never seen one before. Rudy wouldn't part with it and believe it or not, he had it set up to play wireless. This guitar had a nice sound and although it wasn't a Fender, It was better than my National. Ive never seen or played one since but I will say that if they are as good as that one was, I would consider it as a good spare to have around. ... Billy

Ian McLatchie · Post by **Ian McLatchie** » 22 Oct 2000 4:50 am

This topic has come up before. In talking about Epiphones, one has to distinguish between the earliest models, which have a horseshoe pickup similar to Rickenbachers (so similar that Ric got an injunction to have their production stopped), and the later instruments, which have a more conventional under-the-strings pickup. By all accounts, the ones with the horsehoe are first-rate guitars (I haven't had the chance to play one myself, unfortunately). The few Epiphones I
have played have not sounded good, by any means: low pickup output, poor sustain and an extremely thin sound. Too bad, because in every other respect Epiphones are highly desirable guitars. If anyone else has had a more positive experience with the later models I'd love to hear about it.

Billy Jones · Post by **Billy Jones** » 22 Oct 2000 8:43 am

Thank you Ian .. I wasn't aware of the difference and it was so long ago that I don't recall what pickup was on the guitar. Since you are from Toronto, my old home town, maybe you could locate Rudy for further information.I believe the steel was his alternate instrument. His family was into electronics. I was forunate to be able to borrow that guitar. I was replacing my National with a new Fender triple custom that hadn't arrived. I do hope Rudy is still with us. He was a good friend.
... Billy

Mike Black · Post by **Mike Black** » 22 Oct 2000 9:58 am

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 22 Oct 2000 5:40 pm

When L.T. Zinn gets home from his mission trip, you should ask him. He's got a 1938 Epiphone Electar doubleneck (on legs) that he plays through a Fender Princeton, I believe. He doesn't even bother using a volume pedal with it. His tone and execution will blow you away. Tim R.

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 24 Oct 2000 4:09 am

Fully agree about L.T.Zinn. That's what he does.
The first lap steel I had was a double eight Epiphone. It had a smooth, flowing wave like step up to the second neck and is a gorgeous guitar. No legs on this model. Bought it in 1949 at the Finder Music Store, yes with an "i" in San Diego. Played it at the YMCA there on Broadway every time I could get liberty and would hitch-hike out to El Cajon on Sunday afternoons for a jam session. Was under age then and had to be "snuck" in the back door to the bandstand. Great times. Also, same time frame, I hitch-hiked to "Cowtown" to stand outside of that club and listen to Wade Ray and his band. This ole Mississippi boy, who had never been around any real musicians, was in absolute hog-heaven. Wade's songs went with me to Korea. Years later I had recorded one of Wade's song on my first effort in the studio. Ultimate of ultimates was when I was asked to play on stage at the St. Louis Show and Wade was on stage with his fiddle. I had a friend from Mississippi, Ed Clark, who was playing with me. Ed sings and plays the upright bass. On the new album of mine, I had recorded "She Was Just Walking Out the Door" and for the intro and ending of this song I use another of Wade's songs titled "If they Should Ask Me". After I played that song, Wade came over to me, on the band stand, with a tear in his eye and hugged my neck and thanked me for doing one of his songs. What a great memory for me and after Ed Clark sang "Consider the Lillies", Wade asked me "where did you find him?". IMHO Ed could not have received a greater compliment as, for me, there was no better singer and musician that Wade Ray. Thanks for those memories.
Bill Stafford

Ian McLatchie · Post by **Ian McLatchie** » 24 Oct 2000 4:45 pm

Bill:
Was your Epiphone the early Rocco model, with the horseshoe pickups? I've heard nothing but praise for these instruments, and would sure love to try one.

I agree with you about Wade Ray. A great singer, and a very underrated one. I wish someone would put out a quality reissue of his music. "Walk Softly" for me is one of the handful of great honky-tonk records, but I'm sure he made many others of the same standard.

Billy: I'll ask around about Rudy Valtri, and let you know if I come up with anything.

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 24 Oct 2000 5:13 pm

"Walk Softly" was one of my favorites of his at that time also. And I can still hear him sing the tag on "If They Should Ask Me". remember how he did that? It was beautiful.
Thanks for the memories and yes it had th horseshoe magnets. Still sound great and looks like new.
Bill Stafford