Bob Marsh Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Here are a few updated photos of the restoration we're doing on the Old Epi Zephyr. Here's the partially cleaned up body with the neck featuring new binding - the original celluloid binding crumbled long before we got our hands on the guitar. The headstock overlay has been reglued, sanded and repainted with black Nitro. The original badge has been removed, cleaned and reinstalled. Here's the pup after Lindy Fralin overhauled it - The original shellac/paper insulation had long since gone away and the pickup didn't function - With Lindy's upgrade this will be a much higher output unit. Still has the original dirt which will carefully be cleaned away as Lindy doesn't alter the appearance of any vintage pup he works on. This thing weighs about a pound and a half... Sort of a sidebar to this job you might find interesting - a 60's Harmony Hollywood we're redoing for a good friend - Top was loose and badly warped from the large braces loosening up. Bob added a small transverse brace that is directly underneath the bridge for a bit more support. The headstock screenprinted graphic is in surprisingly good condition but the screenprinted gold position markers had to be redone. The back of the neck shows some interesting oxidation - talk about going green! As you can see Harmony wasn't too concerned with cleaning up the glue squeeze-out and believe me, they used enough glue! Hope y'all enjoyed the pics! B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Bob, that Zephyr is awesome! It looks to be in good shape too. Do you have the original Master Voicer plates as well? I cant wait to see what it looks like when put back together! Looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Marsh Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 RTH, SHe is in good shape - should be a real peach when the master finishes her up. We don't have the original plates and knobs - they were missing when we received the job. After a fruitless search we found a photo of the required pieces and I manufactured these - Not original, but I think they'll suffice as this will be a player, rather than a collectible. Photo here is from an earlier thread I started with the early stages of the job. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrw1960 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Looking Good!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 RTH, SHe is in good shape - should be a real peach when the master finishes her up. We don't have the original plates and knobs - they were missing when we received the job. After a fruitless search we found a photo of the required pieces and I manufactured these - Not original, but I think they'll suffice as this will be a player, rather than a collectible. Photo here is from an earlier thread I started with the early stages of the job. B Ah, yes. I remember thread about those! Fantastic! Its great to see old instruments like this restored...especially to be a player! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl00dsm0k3 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 great stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I love this thread...keep going... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 Yo Bob, how's that Zephyr coming? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Marsh Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Brian, The Zephyr is progressing - Bob Rigaud has reset the neck and is in the process of reinstalling the pickup and other electronics - The one big hitch in the process is we're missing one of the distinctive tuning machines - they have the Epiphone Epsilon "E" stamped into the housing - and they are about as common as dragons teeth - We have several inquiries out there but so far, no joy. I'll be posting more photos as the progress continues... Thanks for your interest! B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Beautiful on both accounts! I love to see the old beauties brought back for another go round! EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I love this thread. There is possibly nothing more satisfying than resurrecting a guitar - putting it back in a condition so that it can do what they were built to. Not an electric but this one still ain't for the squeamish. Then again, you should have seen it what it looked like before getting this far. While the guitar is still cosmetically challenged I gigged with it last weekend. Anyway - keep the thread up to date as it puts a smile to my face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Marsh Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 Wowser! That one took a hit! I salute you for bringing another one back from the brink - with a little care and sandpaper she'll look fine...please post pics when you've finished the repair - I agree that resurrecting a damaged instrument is one of the best feelings you can get - and it's cheap entertainment! B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.