"Frequensator" Tailpiece

[Chaz4Jazz]

I have a question for all the guys out their who replaced their "Frequensator". What did you do with them? I have an old Zephyr Deluxe that I'm trying to restore as close to original as possible & could really use some help locating one!

 

Thanks in advance Fella's !

[SkEpTiKaL]

I remember there was a thread a couple months ago where someone wanted to put a Frequensator on their guitar. Alot of the responses were saying that there really are no advantages to putting on the Frequensator. IIRC, they said that it had bad tuning stability.

 

If you really want one, here are a couple:

http://www.allparts.com/store/tailpieces-trapeze-tailpieces-tp-0433-001,Product.asp <- Nickel

http://www.allparts.com/store/tailpieces-trapeze-tailpieces-tp-0433-002,Product.asp <- Gold

 

Hope everything works out!

[Chaz4Jazz]

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out. I read that thread, too! I'm really hoping that somebody has an original that they took off when they replaced theirs (maybe the guys who just didn't like the way they looked)!

[carverman]

Thanks for the info' date=' I'll check it out. I read that thread, too! I'm really hoping that somebody has an original that they took off when they replaced theirs (maybe the guys who just didn't like the way they looked)![/quote']

I have an original, I took off on my Broadway, when I replaced it with my custom

made art deco tp. But I am saving it, just in case I decide to sell the Broadway

someday. As far as tuning stability, that's not the problem, I had a frequensator on my

Epi Triumph for over 35 years, and never had any what I would call tuning problems.

 

The main problem with the frequensator is the additional length of string required

for the "D' string. Some sets are fine with a inch or two to spare, with others

you may get one or two wraps around the post. A lesser problem is the low

mass of the string bar(s), but this is very minor.

 

As far as being authentic, the frequensator would be the closest tp to being

"vintage" for your guitar. Ideally, the trapieze tp that had "Epiphone" on it

would be the "cats meow" as far as authentic, but good luck finding any like

that..unless you can find a aftermarket tp and get it engraved.

 

Here's a pic of what it might have looked like...

 

 

 

You can get a aftermarket frequensator from a few online sources...some have

already been provide; ...here is another one:

 

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/gbridge_tailpiece.h

[Chaz4Jazz]

Thanks again for the great info & pic. I'll check out the site. Any chance you have a pic showing the mounting plate side? Anybody have one of these TP's they want to part with? Yeah, right!

[carverman]

Any chance you have a pic showing the mounting plate side?

 

I don't have any pictures of the sides, especially the area where the tp mtg plate is screwed on

if that's what you are looking for. There is one photo of that area showing Frixo's name (or signature?)

on his Emperor that he had specially made for him. This picture is with the frequensator removed

so his hidden name can be seen. What exactly are you looking for in this area?

[Chaz4Jazz]

It looks like there have been (3) different tp's on the guitar, the last one being an old Kay which is still on it, but it doesn't fit properly. I'm trying to determine from the screw holes which tp would be the original. That pic might help.

 

Thanks

[carverman]

It looks like there have been (3) different tp's on the guitar' date=' the last one being an old Kay which is still on it, but it doesn't fit properly. I'm trying to determine from the screw holes which tp would be the original. That pic might help.

 

Thanks[/quote']

 

The only pic I have of the tp area in the book is Frixo's Emperor with the frequensator

removed, and that may not be too much help.

 

EDIT:

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: current frequensator hole spacing:

 

I wonder who has this now? It is probably priceless as it is very unique in the

history of Epiphone.

 

If the top set of screw holes (2 of them) are spaced down 3/8" from the top binding

and 1 1/8" across (center of one hole to the center of other screw hole).

AND

the bottom (3rd) hole is located at 1 3/8" from the top binding,

directly in the centre of the above screw holes...it is more than likely,

the frequensator tp that was on it.

 

With the Frequensator, there is also a 4th hole, (the strap pin hole) located directly

in the middle at 7/8"from the top of the binding.

Putting it another way...1/2 inch ABOVE the bottom (3rd) hole.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

As far as the trapieze style, I can't help you there with the hole spacing, because

I don't have one of those. The original might have had 2 screw mtg holes and a

third hole for the strap endpin..or it might have have had similar hole spacing to

the frequensator..which would be my guess. Herb Sunshine filed the patent on

the frequensator when he working for Epiphone NYC (patent no.2,124,439 June 1937)

and was granted the patent in '38. There were a couple variations on the frequensator

design which were not implemented..one was a curved bar for the bass and treble

segment which provided a slightly better intonation compensation.

 

My book describes the trapieze tp as a simple design..string bar and threaded bent rod

to accomodate the string bar. Plating was gold on upper end guitars and nickel on lesser

instruments. The screw base of the Trapieze looks very similar to the Frequensator screw base

except that the trapieze had one curved over rod "hinge" part while the frequensator has

a split in the middle "hinge" part.

 

Based on approximations from the Deluxe photos, the length of the trapieze would be

(approx) 3 1/4 " wide at the string bar and (approx) 6 1/2' to 6 3/4" in length. The end

plate looks very much the same as the frequensator being: 2" wide at the hinge, 2 3/4"

wide at the widest part of the folded over top portion with the hinge, and the same at

the widest part of the bottom portion, tapering down to 1 5/8" in length (at the rounded bottom).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

If you get an aftermarket frequensator, you will be able to trace out the shape of the

bottom portion on your guitar.

 

EDIT:

Here is alternate design for the frequensator shown on the patent that was probably a

more elegant design, but not manufactured for some reason.

 

Finally, one of the most elegant Epi tail piece used on the acoustic Emperor.

Not used after the frequensator came into being... but every bit as nice as the Gibson

Super 400 tp, IMO.

[Chaz4Jazz]

Thanks again for all your help & education. I'll continue my quest "Epiphone Master"!

[carverman]

Thanks again for all your help & education. I'll continue my quest "Epiphone Master"!

 

See the EDIT pics in my previous reply on the authentic Epi tailpiece arrangements.