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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 13:00:01 GMT
I doubt if this is the right place, but maybe somebody can offer me some advice.
In 1957 I lived in the USA and was bought a second hand National guitarn (I was 7 at the time). I have kept it in immaculate condition all of these years but put it in storage last year along with all of my other household goods, whilst moving house. I have now received all of my belongings back to find that they have been ruined, mostly by ingress of water. I am aware that it was one of the Sears Nationals and as such not worth so much as a resonator. But nevertheless I must make an insurance claim. Would you be able to advise me on how much it would cost to replace it - approximate of course, as I have no idea of what the market is. It had an original case which is also ruined. It has one pick-up. The fingerplate, controls, connectionn and bridge have gone missing and the body is damaged way beyond repair, with mould growth actually in the cavity. My heart aches! The serial number is: X43980 I would very much appreciate anybodies help with this.
Many thanks,
David (Ireland)
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 10, 2008 17:39:21 GMT
Hello David,
Welcome to our forum.
That is a shame. Before making any comment about the value of your guitar, I would like to see a photo or two to confirm exactly what model it is.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2008 10:49:38 GMT
Thanks for that. I've found a guy in Sweden who sells vintage Nationals - he sells something similar - a Californian he calls it for 1,000 Euros, but this has 2 pickups, whereas mine had only one. Here are some photos of mine after the recent misfortune. I hope the photos work - I've never done that before. Many thanks, David
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Post by Mark Makin on Nov 11, 2008 12:32:35 GMT
Hello David /"Archie" Your guitar was made in 1955. It is a National New Yorker. These guitars appeared in the late 30s and had a sunburst finish. Memphis Minnie is most associated with them. By 1953, they were blonde finished. The vinyl covered pickup on your guitar was first used around 1952. They were a bit outdated by the time yours was made. The New Yorker had two knobs fitted into the top of the body by 1956. Yours are missing because from 1953 to 1955, they were mounted on the black (missing) scratchplate. This had stairstep edges on it and you can see the light stain marks left by the shape to the right of the neck on the body top. People often mistake the New Yorker for the California. The colour is the same, same pickup and similar scratchplate. However, the California is a slightly bigger and fatter body and also has bar markers on the neck, not dot markers as yours has.
The New Yorker disappeared in 1958. Hope this is some use. Best Mark
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 11, 2008 14:03:17 GMT
Hi David,
Mark has given you the lowdown on your guitar. Mark is argueably the world's leading authority on this subject, so I would take his words as the gospel.
If I were you and this was my guitar that I had owned for 50 years, I would not try and replace it for two reasons - firstly that you will not find another very easily, and secondly that it is a piece of your history and should not be trashed. What I would do is use the insurance claim to restore the guitar to its original condition.
The ONLY person in this part of the world I would recommend to do that is Mike Lewis at Fine Resophonic Guitars in Paris. He is THE National master when it comes to this kind of work. If you would like his contact details I can send them via a PM to you. The restoration will not be cheap. It will probably cost you more than a replacement, but it would still be your guitar.
I hope that helps.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2008 14:45:31 GMT
Thank you Mark and Michael.
Michael, please send the information via e-mail - I would be very grateful. The insurers would only pay the lower of the two. i.e. replacement or refurbish, so have you any idea how I would go about getting a price for a replacement, tho' as you suggest I would almost certainly pay the difference myself and have it refurbished? Believe it or not I am just as upset about the case, because it has various labels stuck to it, charting my journey back to the UK from the US in 1961. Also, the guitar and case are the only mementoes I have left from my childhood in America, so it can't really be replaced.
Thanks again.
David
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