Need help figuring out my National Lap Steel

[jakester71]

Hi guys,

This seems like the place for me to post. I have a National Dynamic Lap Steel that I swapped for a guitar amp with a buddy of mine. I'd like to find out the year this guitar was made. Also, if anyone has any idea as to the current value of this great instrument. Its well used, but still sounds killer

The serial number is X34779

[Michael Messer]

Hi Jakester71,

Welcome to our forum.

National Dynamics were produced for many years - 1942 to around 1968. I think your Dynamic was made in 1954 and is a model that was produced from 1951 to 57. Perhaps that can be confirmed by other knowledgable forum members?

I do not do any kind of valuation on this forum. If someone else on here wants to tell you what they think it is worth, that's fine by me.

For the most up to date and informative book on the subject of all things National-Dobro-Supro-Valco-Dopyera-related, get a copy of 'Palm Trees, Senoritas and Rocket Ships' by Mark Makin.

Shine On
Michael

[oldnat]

Hi, according to Mark's book your guitar was built in 1954. Vintage Guitar 2015 Price Guide values a 1941 to 65 Dynamic at $600USD in low condition to $700USD in good condition. Hope that helps.

[dmc]

Hi michael,

I've got a 33 duolian which needs a refret and saddle replacement.I have been told by an american luthier that this is not possible to do on a 33 due to the fretboard material.is this true?.i live in ireland where there is no luthier who is experienced at repairs to vintage nationals as far as i know.i would appreciate if you or anyone else on this forum could point me in the right direction.im new to this forum.

regards, Derry.

[Colin McCubbin]

Micahel, Any chance you can give this a thread of it's own please? C.

Dec 2, 2014 22:02:59 GMT dmc said:

Hi michael,

I've got a 33 duolian which needs a refret and saddle replacement.I have been told by an american luthier that this is not possible to do on a 33 due to the fretboard material.is this true?.i live in ireland where there is no luthier who is experienced at repairs to vintage nationals as far as i know.i would appreciate if you or anyone else on this forum could point me in the right direction.im new to this forum.

regards, Derry.

It is possible that it has a compressed laminated paper fingerboard, did the luthier actually see it? National used many different fingerboards, the paper was a short lived experiment, but odd boards/materials turn up in an 'oops we've run out of fingerboards what have we left lying about so we can fill this order' type of way.

Who was the luthier BTW?

If it is paper, is it de-laminating (highly likely) then a replacement wooden fingerboard is probably the way to go. Dave King would be able to help if you can ship it to England..


Colin

[Michael Messer]

Hi Derry,

Your question should have been in a new thread, as this one is about a National Dynamic lap steel. However, now you're here and Colin has replied, let's stay here!

Colin is right and so most likely is your luthier. If your Duolian has got a paper fretboard, it will need a new fretboard to be re-fretted. There are two people in the UK who I would recommend; Dave King Acoustic, and John Alderson at Delta Resonators. My question, before sending it off to be worked on, is ....does it need a re-fret?

Shine On
Michael.

[dmc]

Hi Colin and Michael,

Thank u both for trying to assist me on this.I feel i dont want to be messing up this thread with this so maybe it needs to be moved.how to do this,i dont know.anyway i will try to answer you both as best i can.
 Colin:The luthier didnt see it...this was marc scheonberger...subsequent to me emailing him about it,i received reply.quote; "33 duolians can't be refretted,they blow up"...no explanation why..was "they blow up" luthier speak for something?
The fretboard isn't delaminating in any way.i could post a photo of it if it would help. i would be surprised if it was compressed paper.that said i also couldn't say its ebony,though it looks like it. It doesn't loose its colour which looks dark brown.was there another wood they used?.its  not rosewood.
Fretboard also has a compound radius which i assume is original?..is it? so im reluctant to have this changed unless i have to.
michael:I think it needs frets as lots of them are flatted out too much toward the centre and from 2nd to 10th fret.i got it like this.Were you going to suggest crowning them.?
I can play it, but i know it could be better if i got this done.
maybe the best option is to see if a fret can be carefully taken out without damage to fretboard,?and then take it from there.?

can you create thread for this?maybe call it; 33 duolian refret




regards Derry