Epiphone Electar Zephyr Small Combo Tube Amplifier, c. 1948, ser. #7928.

Epiphone Electar Zephyr Model Small Combo Tube Amplifier, c. 1948, made in New York City, serial # 7928, Natural Laquer finish, laminated maple cabinet.

This is a simply stunningly well-preserved example of an Epiphone Electar Zephyr model amplifier. Many vintage amp connoisseurs have a special place in their hearts for these early Epiphone Electar amplifiers, which are not only well engineered and built but housed in some of the most stylish cabinets ever. The Zephyr model was the professional-grade offering in Epiphone's 1951 catalog just below their flagship Dreadnaught model, which was the same amp advertised with slightly more power. Epiphone states; "The artist's acceptance of this amplifier is universal. For tone, beauty of appearance, and ease of portability it is unequalled." The 'harmonic' tremolo-equipped variant is listed in Epiphone's 1948 price-list for $165, which wasn't cheap for the day!

Made soon after WWII, this Zephyr features a beautiful cabinet of amber blonde maple with a cutout script "E" logo grille. This was a powerful amp for the 1940s with a smooth warm tone that turns to furious overdrive when cranked. The amp features three inputs, volume and tone controls as well as speed and intensity for the tremolo effect (the speed control having the unusual quirk of working 'backwards' by modern standards). It's powered by two 6L6 power tubes, yielding around 20 watts into a single 12" field coil speaker. Originally designed by future Danelectro maven Nathan Daniel, the Electar Zephyr was a top-quality professional quality amplifier in the '40's, and remains a great gigging amp in the 21st Century as well as one of the most aesthetically beautiful ever made.

Height is 22 1/2 in. (57.2 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) width, and 10 5/8 in. (27 cm.) in depth at deepest point.

This Zephyr might just be the cleanest example we've had the pleasure of featuring in our showroom! Thanks to likely living most of its life under its original cover, the lovely blonde cabinet finish shows hardly any notable wear, save for a few scuffs and dings to the black-finished trim along the edges and bottom front. The often banged-up thin aluminum control plate is in excellent shape, preserving all its lettering and showing nearly no wear aside from typical signs of age. The grille cloth appears original and in impeccable shape with no tears or signs of fraying; although there's a little bit of looseness around the top left corner. The chassis and speaker appear closet-clean, as do the tubes and their respective metal covers. The distinctive aluminum handle is original as well and the relatively more worn cover is present and nicely intact as well!

Electrically, the amp is completely original. The 12" Rola field-coil speaker is original to the amp and in fabulous condition, still retaining its original cone. Both the power and output transformers are original as well, the former bearing the code 8387. All pots and other components appear original as well. The amp has otherwise seen our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of electrolytic caps, cleaned sockets, pots and jacks, a grounded 3-prong power cord and power tubes biased to spec.

This amplifier both looks and sounds absolutely incredible and is ready for another 80 years of service. Overall Excellent Condition.