dmax Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 This is a photo of my uncle from the 1950s at a radio station in Junction City, KS - he's the 2nd from left - holding what looks like a sunburst Epiphone Texan but not sure of the year or exact model. Can anyone help and thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teegar Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 It has the look of a pre-Gibson FT-79, they weren't called Texans until after Gibson acquired Epiphone. The features put it between 1941, when the model was introduced, and 1949, when it took on more of a jumbo shape. Probably a just post-war FT-79. They weren't electric either, so the pickup/knobs/jack must have been added. Cool old shot there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 It looks like it could be an FT 75, which was a model sold as far back as the late thirties and early forties. The Gibson being held by the man with the light colored hat appears to me to be a J-35, sold from 1937 to 1941, give or take. I agree with teegar that the electronics were certainly an addition. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmax Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 Thank you for the info - it's possible the photo was taken in the late 40s on up to sometime in the 50s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 It's a very cool picture. I'd bet the time frame is more early 40's than 50's, as live performances on the radio were kind of phased out in favor of records after the war. I'm not sure about the exact dates, but as I understand it, the big radio networks actually banned or limited records on the airwaves in the years before WWII, so most music was performed live in the studio, or as a remote from a dancehall or ballroom. What was the name of your uncle's combo? Do you have any recordings of them, or know anything more about them? Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmax Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 Very interesting info and thank you for that. Our family is still collecting info about the band as well as finding recordings. I've already learned much here....ty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stone1281734000 Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 They weren't electric either' date=' so the pickup/knobs/jack must have been added. Cool old shot there.[/quote'] If, as Red stated, it was the early 40's, perhaps the growing demand for rigging a flat top like that inspired Gibson to develop the J160E? If it was in the 50's, perhaps someone just wanted their Epi flat top rigged like a Gibson J160E? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmax Posted January 21, 2010 Author Share Posted January 21, 2010 Interesting.....I keep searching for other little clues that define the decade - '40s or '50s....I wonder when those guitar pickups were manufactured...at least we know that if that clock on the wall was accurate - that photo was taken at 5:50 am or pm - Central Standard Time. The guys themselves were born in the 20s and look to be in their 20s or early 30s....anyway, thanks much again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ship of fools Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 dmax I hope you don't mind but I sent off an e-mail to that radio station to see if they might have any info as to when that picture might have been taken and the name of your Uncle's group, sometimes they keep some of those old archived photo's and can give you a better time of date for when it was taken, but it might also take few days for them to respond so be patient, oh and what was your uncles name ( found this and he might be listed here ) http://oldkc.com/kcbands_bands_vintage.php Ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Interesting.....I keep searching for other little clues that define the decade - '40s or '50s....I wonder when those guitar pickups were manufactured... Sound hole pick ups (or "guitar mics" they as they were first called) were introduced by Rowe-DeArmond in 1939, and pups similar to them are still manufactured today. A closer picture of the pups might help us identify who manufactured them, so we can get a better idea when the picture was taken. Still, the presence of what are probably a late thirties/early forties FT-75 and J-35 and what are perhaps pups also introduced during this period, plus the fact the band is playing live on the radio (and the band is not drafted!) suggests pre-war to me, but I can't be certain. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmax Posted January 21, 2010 Author Share Posted January 21, 2010 Thanks for your help, ship. I really appreciate it and don't mind you contacting the station. My late uncle's name is Tracy Jennings. He has 2 sons - my 1st cousins - Wynne http://www.digitaloutput.net/content/ContentCT.asp?P=475 is a mega talented fiddle player and his other son Drue is this mega talented guy: http://www.kclifesciences.org/about/board/bios_board/bio_DrueJennings.php http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_20030611/ai_n11799646 http://www.polsinelli.com/djennings http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/11/17/editorial3.html Tracy's younger sister is my mother and she too sings and plays guitar. So she and her family inspired all of my brothers and sisters to play and sing. You can see my info at http://www.dawaynebailey.com I have no idea who any of the other players are in that photo nor do I know their band name. If I can find any info other than the guitar stuff that's a major plus and I thank you all once again for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ship of fools Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Hey Dmax I have still not heard anything back from the radio station sp as soon as I hear anything from them I will e-mail you with the info.Ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmax Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 Hey Dmax I have still not heard anything back from the radio station sp as soon as I hear anything from them I will e-mail you with the info.Ship Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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