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1940 Electar Zephyr restoration

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  • 1940 Electar Zephyr restoration

    Hi,

    I recently got an Electar Zephyr combo amp which seems to be from between 1940-41 by the serial number (7007) http://wiedler.ch/nyepireg/database.html

    4 of the 6 tubes in the front of the amp are 25Z5, the black metal tube is an e-8128 (ballast tube/resistor?), and beneath the metal tubing case is a 6C6 with a wire running up to the control panel. The 4 tubes in the back are 25L6. The power cord has been cut off and there are also 2 wires running from the chassis that aren't connected to anything, I've read that some of these amps used batteries for tube biasing so thinking maybe thats what those are for?

    Haven't had much luck finding a schematic for this but most things I've read about it say its not a typical circuit and can be dangerous without an ISO transformer. I'm more familiar with DC circuits and don't have much experience with tube amps so just looking for some general advice for the restoration of this amp beyond recapping it. To be clear, I know the dangers of working on tube amps and I don't plan on working on this amp until I'm absolutely sure of what I'm doing.

    I got this from an estate sale of Vincent Bell so theres a chance its been modified in some way. Attached are some pics.

    Thanks!
    Attached Files

  • #2
    Someone just posted about that same amp, may have had different tube lineup though. Asbestos included i see.

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    • #3
      Quite valuable in good working condition. It shouldn't be too hard to draw a schematic simply by looking at it. You might get a few more search hits by using "Epiphone Zephyr"

      PS: How does this match what you have?
      Attached Files
      Experience is something you get, just after you really needed it.

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      • #4
        Hi thanks for the reply,

        Taking a quick look at that it doesn't seem very close to this amp since the tubes don't match and theres an added reverb circuit etc, but it may be close I just need to take some time to try and figure it out.

        I found another post which seems to be referring to the same model that I have but it doesn't like to the schematic. http://antiqueradios.com/forums/view...=80143&start=0

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        • #5
          According to Musicparts the tube lineup may be: Tube List: 14F7, 76, 25L6, 25L6, 25L6, 25L6, 25Z5, 25Z5, 25Z5 (Dated 1941)

          If correct, you can find the schematic here: https://www.musicparts.com/products....mpany=Epiphone
          Note: $15.00
          Last edited by Jazz P Bass; 10-06-2018, 08:37 PM.

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          • #6
            Here's a set of Riders schematics that lists the Epiphone Zephyr AC-DC for $10 (edit, I thought it would be a download but I see it's an extra $5 for shipping so must be a CD)
            I think that may be the schem. that was referred to in that Antique Radios link from post #4

            https://www.ebay.com/itm/John-F-Ride...-/380249374013
            Originally posted by Enzo
            I have a sign in my shop that says, "Never think up reasons not to check something."


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            • #7
              Here is the other recent thread.
              https://music-electronics-forum.com/...ad.php?t=47466

              I have the Rider PA cd, trying to save 1 page of the pdf, will post if i can do it.

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              • #8
                Not the greatest. Using Infranview, converting pdf to jpg, need to learn the program more, it does too much. One of those old schematics where "M" means k, 1000 ohms. Odd output transformer too, dual primaries?
                Click image for larger version

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by mozz View Post
                  Not the greatest. Using Infranview, converting pdf to jpg, need to learn the program more, it does too much. One of those old schematics where "M" means k, 1000 ohms. Odd output transformer too, dual primaries?
                  [ATTACH=CONFIG]50635[/ATTACH]
                  Excellent, thanks so much! This is the schematic referred to on the other forum I found so this clears up a lot for me (sort of) http://antiqueradios.com/forums/view...=80143&start=0

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Check out these webpages, google doesn't show them, got there by clicking links. Anyway, what i was going to say was many of these oldies, weren't for guitar, they were Hawaiian lap steel and accordian amps.
                    http://michaelmesser.proboards.com/board/5 history of National, Dobro, Supro, and all things Dopyera related
                    http://prewaramps.org/ has some schematics, you have to look at them all, many were sold under various names. I don't even think Epiphone actually built the amps.

                    Some more reading on a slightly different subject, interesting none the less.
                    https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=162776
                    https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/view...r=asc&start=50
                    http://www.notecannons.com/ you have to scroll down to amplifiers.

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                    • #11
                      Series filaments and field coil speaker it seems.

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                      • #12
                        I just bought the Rider's PA book on Ebay, they don't come up too often. Amps up until about 1948ish. I made a word document with all the models, taken from the cd listing and rearranged a bit. Some models such as Masco are listed under the guys name Mark Simpson, under the letter "s", Magnavox is under "electronic acoustic corp, etc.etc.

                        Can't seem to attach any documents? Got it.

                        Click image for larger version

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                        Attached Files

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