From super-clean grails to more modern classics to old-school obscurities, a look at the vintage gear in PG readers'' collections.
<p align='left">Chris W - 1964 Epiphone EA8-P
This unusual Epiphone started as a Gibson ES-335 before the Epiphone router hit it. Says Chris, "Sold as a package with it's amplifier, the guitar contains all the amplifier controls and is connected with a multi-pin cable. The guitar also has a standard 1/4" output jack for using with other amps. The "Tonexpressor" circuit is like a Varitone on steroids, but unlike the conventional Varitione, it can not be fully bypassed (yes I know this is controversial, but I promise that position 1 of a varitione has NO effect on the tone of the guitar). I installed a temporary bypass around the Tonexpressor, and the guitar roared back to life. The EA-8 amplifier is 35W with a single 12" speaker. 139 units were shipped between 1963 and 1965."
This unusual Epiphone started as a Gibson ES-335 before the Epiphone router hit it. Says Chris, "Sold as a package with it's amplifier, the guitar contains all the amplifier controls and is connected with a multi-pin cable. The guitar also has a standard 1/4" output jack for using with other amps. The "Tonexpressor" circuit is like a Varitone on steroids, but unlike the conventional Varitione, it can not be fully bypassed (yes I know this is controversial, but I promise that position 1 of a varitione has NO effect on the tone of the guitar). I installed a temporary bypass around the Tonexpressor, and the guitar roared back to life. The EA-8 amplifier is 35W with a single 12" speaker. 139 units were shipped between 1963 and 1965."
Have your own vintage gear you want considered for our next vintage gallery? Send pictures, including year, make, and model, with a caption about why you dig it, to rebecca@premierguitar.com.
