mojoworking 4 Report post Posted November 1, 2014 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverden 2 Report post Posted November 2, 2014 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
burchster 2 Report post Posted November 21, 2014 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mojoworking 4 Report post Posted November 21, 2014 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverden 2 Report post Posted November 23, 2014 The late, great Buddy Charleton on pedal steel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TommyK 217 Report post Posted November 23, 2014 Don't cha just love the Arm Candy? The era of BIG hair, Nudie suits, and over the top pick-guards. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TommyK 217 Report post Posted November 23, 2014 I believe Ernest got Loretta hooked on Epi's as well. Pretty, pretty, Loretty! Love her! And, she still has that very Excellente. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mojoworking 4 Report post Posted November 28, 2014 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
burchster 2 Report post Posted November 28, 2014 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? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
burchster 2 Report post Posted March 7, 2015 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisB643 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2015 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). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
el capitan 1 Report post Posted March 10, 2015 The vendor is good ol' Mooseguy. Wish I had the money! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverden 2 Report post Posted February 22, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seagull 26 Report post Posted March 4, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites