Ernest Tubb's Custom Epiphone

[mojoworking 4]

Hi Mojo

 

Bixby did do some custom replacement guitar necks for various country stars and musicians.The Lefty Frizzell

guitar shown in the photo was offered for sale several years ago and brought big money.

 

Moose

 

Thanks Moose, great to get the background on that guitar. I also have an LP by Lefty with the same J200/Bigsby hybrid on the sleeve (The One & Only Lefty Frizzell).

 

Some more info from Wiki: Frizzell's signature guitar was a 1949 Gibson J-200 (Model SJ-200). Originally built by the Gibson Guitar Corporation, it was retrofitted in early 1951 with a custom neck and pickguard by guitar maker and innovator Paul Bigsby. In a 2003 interview Merle Haggard recalled, "When I was a teenager, Lefty got me onstage [at the Rainbow Garden in Bakersfield, California] and handed me that guitar. That is the first guitar I played on a professional stage." For many years it had been on loan to and displayed at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. In January 2005 it was returned to the Frizzell family.

 

[diverden 2]

The Ernest Tubb TV shows from the 60's are available on DVD from Ernest Tubb record shops in Nashville or online.

Leon Rhodes on guitar and Buddy Charleton on pedal steel was the premier combination on the country circuit.

I was fortunate enough to to study PSG with Buddy when he retired from the road. He had a ton of great Troubadour stories.

Leon still plays regularly with Anita Stapleton at ET's record shop on Broadway. You can catch them there on Saturday afternoons.

Leon has switched to mostly Tele playing now.

[burchster 2]

Swinging Doors -Cal Smith:

 

Some pretty good Epi action here,a broadway? This is after Leon had departed and Steve Chapman took over on a ice tea looking 335...also love the steel playing in this one

[mojoworking 4]

Swinging Doors -Cal Smith:

 

Some pretty good Epi action here,a broadway? This is after Leon had departed and Steve Chapman took over on a ice tea looking 335...also love the steel playing in this one

 

Nice. Could be a Broadway, or maybe a DeLuxe

[diverden 2]

The late, great Buddy Charleton on pedal steel.

[TommyK 217]

Don't cha just love the Arm Candy?

 

 

 

The era of BIG hair, Nudie suits, and over the top pick-guards.

[TommyK 217]

I believe Ernest got Loretta hooked on Epi's as well.

 

 

Pretty, pretty, Loretty! Love her!

 

And, she still has that very Excellente.

[mojoworking 4]

Another celeb Epiphone. Here's Ralph Davis playing with Jean Shepard in the 50s. I think he's using an Epiphone Emperor without a pick-up. The neck markers don't look right for an Emperor though, so I could be wrong.

 

[burchster 2]

Another celeb Epiphone. Here's Ralph Davis playing with Jean Shepard in the 50s. I think he's using an Epiphone Emperor without a pick-up. The neck markers don't look right for an Emperor though, so I could be wrong.

 

 

Almost looks like the neck markers on the excellente. It also doesn't have the regular vine inlay must be an early maybe 30s?

[burchster 2]

[burchster 2]

[burchster 2]

[burchster 2]

Found these online looks like very early 60s when ET first went to Epis

Johnny Johnson with a broadway Leon Rhodes with a Sheraton and Ernest with his custom frontier.

[DennisB643 0]

Speaking of Excellentes, there is #2 of 9 1993 vintage from the Bozeman custom shop for sale on Reverb.Asking price is $4400.(no affiliation with the sale).

[el capitan 1]

The vendor is good ol' Mooseguy.

Wish I had the money!

[diverden 2]

Ernest had a sponsorship deal with Epiphone. His whole band played Epic. Ernest had a custom Frontier, and an Excellente. Loretta Lynn also played a n Excellent, ad has it till this day.
Leon Rhodes played custom Sheratons. As did Steve Chapman who followed him on lead guitar.

[Seagull 23]

I'm hoping the new Masterbilts will bring back some glory to the Frontier and Excellente.

I want to get my hands on one of each to try out.  I have been rather happy with every Masterbilt I have played so far.