The Electra Forums

...Nope, sorry...don't have a hot daughter named Electra What I DO have is this here guitar. Can't seem to find it in any of the catalog scans. A buddy of mine seems to think it's an earlier model. Also, does anyone know about that P.J. Marx pickup? A little poking around on eBay seems to indicate that they're somewhat desirable. I found it in a box that I'd forgotten about and decided to toss it in this guitar. It's super hot (around 16k) and drives that plywood nicely thru my Marshall If memory serves, weren't they standard equipment in JB Player guitars? And as an interesting sidenote: sticker on the back of the peghead says it was originally purchased from The Music Bag in Pacific Palisades, CA. A Google search of the address proved fruitless. Anyone??

I'd call it an early 2264 White Zephyr, early-mid 70's. These models changed over time, with hardware and headstock differences, but cream colored LP copies are definitely WHite Zephyrs. I would doubt the page on the Electra site that says they didn't appear till 75, I've seen a couple like yours and they are at least 75 and I would guess 74 or 73 even. YOur headstock shape is kind of ealry transitional, when the open book shape turned to the 'camel hump' shape- exact dating is probably impossible but that's a ballpark. It's definitely pre-76 though. THere isn't anything on the neckplate (like a serial number) is there? The neckplate on 76 models includes a Hoshino-style date code- the one pictured on the Electra page is listed as a 75 or 76 but it's definitely 6/76. I wish they'd adopted that dating system earlier, or stuck with it more than one year.

How does it play? I've been very happy with the Round-E Electra LP copies.

since it was originally purchased in California, it may be a PCM Electra. closer pics of the headstock, control cavities, neck joints, body binding, neck binding would be great so they could be compared with known SLM guitars....

I just wish we could find some PCM catalogues!!!!

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

Agreed, it could be PCM rather than SLM. I have a suspicion that early on (before 75 or so) that both SLM and PCM were selling the same models from the same source. Because we only have SLM catalogs, they get identified as SLM when they could have come through either. If that's true, it's especially the LP's and teles that I would suspect fall into the category.

She carries the same generic "Made In Japan" neckplate as seen on countless others and has multi-layer b/w/b/w/b binding front and back. The peghead has seven-layer binding like a Les Paul Custom and is extra thick..almost half the thickness of the peghead. Other details: plywood body with a pressed top leaving it partially hollow (a "tone chamber" ) Slightly angled neck joint. The overall fit and finish isn't exactly world class but after replacing the pots and caps and giving it a quick fret dress and polish...she rocks! You don't see very many with that logo on 'em which is why I had a bit of difficulty dating it.