The Electra Forums

Electra Experts,

I have a guitar that I have owned for the last twenty years, I never got around to learning how to any so it has been resting in my closet for years. My question is can someone give me some feedback on it? My 15 year old son is about to start with lessons. Is it a good guitar for a beginner? Does it have any value? I have to determine if I should give it to him. He's not very good at taking care of of stuff. Should I purchase something else instead for him? I appreciate any feedback!


John Fisbeck

http://s1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj563/jmf1973/?action=view&current=electra.jpg

Ahhh,the elusive Electra Air model-seriously though your pic didn't take,photobucket link between Img/Img fonts is easiest

Joe

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"If it ain't been in the pawnshop,it can't play the blues" R.L.Burnside

I'm not certain that a facebook pic will ever show up on this interface. If you post it to photobucket, or one of the many other hosting sites, those will show up here. Can't wait to see what you've got, the suspense is growing! Welcome aboard, Mike.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Looks like a Studio Zephyr to me with that six way rotary tone switch:

http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrapag ... 923-031610

They don't come up too often, but they're out there, maybe Arthur can chime in as far as the going rate. Yours is an later version with the 'Wave' headstock, circa '76-'79, before that a 'openbook' headstock was used, and after that the body went to a one and a half cutaway style, this is Arthurs clean example here:


I think the pickups have been changed, which begs the question, does the tone rotary still work? It looks in pretty nice shape, and you may want to put the fear of Jesus into your son if you do let him use it. Electronics can be brought back to stock, but once it's got dings and gashes in it, well, those are there for the ages. It's a nice piece, I'd say hold on to her. These play pretty nice, at least Arthurs above did, and will wax any $300 Epiphone or Mexican Fender you would buy new currently, your son and his teacher will like it a lot. Enjoy, Mike.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

I concurr with Mike on this one. You have a nice example of the Studio Zephyr model with the six way and 3 way switches. The pickups do seem to have been changed out so I would take a peep inside and see if the 6 way is working and connected. These are not often seen and I would advise being very strict or leary of letting it out of my hands. These in original good condition with hard shell case can go for $450+ so I would think on it before I let it get trashed. Welcome to the Forums and nice Electra.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

Appreciate the speedy feedback! So, late 70's? Does the serial number on the back tell anything else about it?

Thanks again!

That depends on the type serial number. If on a silver foil sticker then not to accurate but if pressed into the headstock then more accurate. Do you have a pic of the serial number? Yours is an earlier model than the one I have as yours does not have the 1 1/2 cut out and yours is like the LP style body but with the wave headstock most definatly post 1977.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

That's not a toy. Personally I believe difficult to play, poorly made guitars are one of the main reasons kids don't stick with playing - even so, I wouldn't let any non-responsible person near a Zephyr.

[quote="jmf1973"]
As Jead points out, the irony of the instrument world is that Student instruments are tough to play or make sound good. Your guitar would make a great first axe. I say let him play it, just teach him the basics about being careful. Most back wear comes from rivots and buttons on Jeans, or the much cited belt buckle. Most body and headstock damage comes either a) when putting the guitar down or b) while wearing the guitar and basically not paying attention to what's around you!

You've had the guitar for 2 decades... it wants to be played. Throw a new set of strings on there and hook it up to an amp, check out all the controls and see whats working. Some of the 6 way positions will only be apparent if both pickups are selected (center position on the 3 way). I called it a tone switch earlier, but it actually has out of phase, series and I think even single coil settings on the 6 way control. A very cool option, a loss if not working, and why we were wondering if its still hooked up. Do you still have an amp?

Some of these guitars were curved tops with semi chambering going on, lighter with good resonance. Some real LP's push ten pounds, these are comfy on my shoulder. Any teacher worth his spit should be able to set it up and wake it up from its long slumber, it looks like the saddles are in a perfect row, and there is usually a angled pattern to their alignment for a start.

I wish my first guitar was as nice as this, let your son play, and give him a chance to make you proud dad. Mike.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Welcome John! I am very much in agreement with what has been stated above. If you are truly worried about it getting nicked up by your son's inexperience then just hold it back from him until he has demonstrated the ability to treat it properly.

Or if you are looking for something more appropriate for a beginner that a few bumps or bruises will not affect feel free to pm me. I have more than a few "student" models available for trade and to be honest I have been looking for a Zephyr like yours for a while now.

I whole heartily agree that more aspiring students have probably quit too soon from having to try learning on an unwieldy neck than any other reason. Starting out on a Westone Concord or Electra Phoenix or the like is one of the best ways to increase the odds that he will stick with it.

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...throw me a frickin' bone here, people...

I appreciate the feedback! Are these guitars easy to find/common? My son got a basic acoustic guitar,I am thinking about selling it..but, I'm not sure. I am sure someone would enjoy it instead of it hitting the closet for another 16 years. Is the for sale section a good place to list? I don't see very many for sale online, what is a realistic value for it?


Thanks again

If you were looking for one, you'd probably have to be patient, in answer to your 'are they easy to find?' question. Are they rare? Not especially (considering the over 100 models Electra put out, there are much rarer ones). Value..? Hard to say. You'd have to find out if the six-way is still working, the changed out pickups will affect the value also. I'd say a safe $450 with the case, seeing as some of the more common bolt-neck Electra LP's have been going for $350-$400 on a regular basis, and the Zephyr (I think) would be considered a more desirable model.

I'm going to go out on a limb here... 20 years ago you probably paid, hmm, maybe $175 for it? Possibly less. I don't think you'd find a $200 guitar for your son today that could keep pace with it, provided that it has decent action and intonation (both can be adjusted). I still think you should hold on to it, and let your son play it if he shows promise, maybe even dangle it as an incentive.

Yeah, to collectors Cream Puffs bring a premium, but as a player myself some of my most cherished guitars have plenty of wear on them... proof of their greatness, badges of honor, call them what you want, a few marks (or gashes) do not keep a guitar from being good. Cheers, Mike.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Thanks for all the feedback-

Im selling the guitar on craigslist here in Houston, Texas! Send me a email via Craigslist if anyone has interest in it!
Thanks!

http://houston.craigslist.org/msg/3025521905.html

Few more pictures




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