Glen Campbell's Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe Regent

[jay]

Glen Epiphone w Debby.jpg (7.63 MiB) Viewed 36708 times

This is an interesting sleeve on the Epiphone. I assume it is leather, but it doesn't appear as detailed as others that he had.

[jay]

Thanks to Cowpoke for providing a picture that allows us to see Glen's Epiphone Serial #, as the Epiphone moves to Glen's new museum.

It appears that Glen's Epiphone is serial number: 85013
We know that Epiphone produced this model from 1948 to 1958

It appears that the 48 model did not have two pickups.

According to Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars (Vol. 2), #85013 corresponds to Epiphone serial numbers used between 1945 & 1950. The "85" refers specifically to the Zephyr De Luxe Regent model. The final three digits signify it's ranking within that model's production. Gruhn’s book lists two pickups & the slider switch appearing in 1949. In 1950, Epiphone’s “New York” pickups are introduced on this model, which Glen’s instrument does not have. Along with the serial number info, it logically should be a 1949.

Glen's Epiphone Serial.png (375.09 KiB) Viewed 55828 times

[jay]

Glen Campbell With his Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe Regent at the Riverside Park Ballroom in Phoenix Arizona 5960.jpg (227.19 KiB) Viewed 57130 times

[jay]

1960 Champs Bob Morris, Dash Crofts, Glen Campbell, Jerry Cole, Jimmy Seals..jpg (140.79 KiB) Viewed 45490 times

The Champs around 1960: (clockwise from top left) Bob Morris, Dash Crofts, Glen Campbell, Jerry Cole, Jimmy Seals

[jay]

"I'll Be Me" has some old 8mm footage of Glen and the Epiphone. It is interesting to note that the tailpiece for that guitar seemed to transition with time.

In 1937, a radical new tailpiece called the Frequensator, was introduced by Epiphone. The idea behind the design was to provide compensation between the treble and bass strings, and the word “frequensator” was a contraction of the words “frequency” and “compensator”. The Frequensator consisted of two separate extensions of unequal lengths; a shorter one of 2,5 inch for the bass strings and a longer one of 5,75 inch for the treble strings. All higher-end acoustic and electric archtops were equipped with the Frequensator tailpiece – designed by Epiphone employee Herb Sunshine.

Although the Zephyr was built for about 9-10 years, the "Regent" model only ran for about 4 of those years (1950-1954). The Zephyr line transitioned through 3 models, probably lasting about 10 years from the late 40's to the late 50's. It appears that the tailpiece never changed, regardless of the model produced. Here is a beautiful example of what it looked like:

Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe Frequensator Tailpiece

Epiphone Zephyr Tailpiece.jpg (296.17 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

During the time Glen used his Epiphone Zephyr De Luxe, it appears to have a Bigsby for the tailpiece, which was invented by Paul Bigsby around 1952. We have no idea who transitioned the Epiphone to the Bigsby, or when this occured, but it had to be at a time that was close to when the tailpiece hit the market. Here is a picture of a '54 Bigsby:

1954 Bigsby

1954 bigsby.jpg (52.94 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

And here are some early pictures of Glen with his Zephyr DeLuxe:

Glen with the Western Wranglers in Albuquerque

Western Wranglers.jpg (239.05 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

Glen with the Epiphone Zephyr in 1959

Epi 59 Fred Carr and the Customs.jpg (62.25 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

Glen Campbell with his Epiphone Zephyr

Zephyr1 with Bigsby.jpg (331.82 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

Towards the end of Glen's career, the Campbell family brought the Epiphone out for several photo sessions with Glen. The tailpiece has been replaced with a 40's model Gibson raised diamond motif tailpiece used on the L7 and ES-300. ((Note how Glen slanted the pickup, most likely to get the sharpest treble response, from neck pickup))

Glen with his Epiphone Zephyr

2017-06-08_ADIOS_Credit to Glen Campbell Official.jpg (88.09 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

Gibson raised diamond motif tailpiece on Epiphone

gibson tailpiece epi.jpg (9.23 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

The Epiphone being "refreshed" with a clearer view of the diamond tailpiece

epi12.jpg (63.56 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

Here is a Gibson 1940'41 ES300 with, what appears to be, the same tailpiece that we see on Glen's Epiphone in the most recent pictures.

Gibson 1940'41 ES300 w/ raised diamond motif tailpiece

Gibson 1940'41 ES300.jpg (32.91 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

Blownup Gibson Diamond Tailpiece.jpg (61.22 KiB) Viewed 60545 times

[Bluebird]

8:21 pm?

Now, that is some detail there! You have done an awesome job with this guitar info section, Jay. Many thanks to you for your work and research.

This is undoubtedly the guitar Glen has owned the longest, at least 62 years which is pretty amazing when you think of it.

Wayne

[jay]

Here are some great pictures of Glen with the Epiphone Zephyr at the Riverside Park Ballroom in Phoenix, Arizona. The year...1959 or 1960...most likely. Thanks to Cowpoke and Dee for contributing these for this thread.

[jay]

Probably one of the last pictures of Glen with the Epiphone, before it went to the HOF.

Glen and Kim with Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe Regent

epi.jpg (63.73 KiB) Viewed 63148 times

[Mike Joyce]

Yes I see what you are saying. Good point. It's in the wrong time frame in relation to the period of the guitar.
It would be like displaying a model T ford with a sat nav stuck on the windscreen.
Having said that, when I see those picks it reminds me of the couple of times when I was given a few of the picks while I was talking to Jeff Dayton while he was still on the stage. I had mentioned I took up the guitar because of Glen and Jeff asked the drummer to give me some of the picks they had in a box. I will always remember that with great fondness. Jeff is a great guy.

[Dee]

Thanks for this info, Mike. I really appreciate it. Maybe this is the guitar that Glen adjusted the pickup on?
The pick? Well, it looks contemporary to me...especially with Glen's signature on it and the red color. Do you think he would have used a pick like this one in the 50s and early 60s?
Maybe I am just being "picky", but I would have liked to have seen an authentic pick of Glen's from the 50s with the Epi.
Dee