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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:44:33 GMT
In 1947 Gibson produced a lot of acoustic guitars for Valco that were branded as Nationals. The owners of both companies (CMI) saw it as a way of giving National an instant "new" line of guitars in the first difficult days after World War 2. This one was issued, originally in 1947 as the NATIONAL Model N33. A year later it became the NATIONAL MODEL 1160. This one - however, is a trade house version - made by Gibson, through the Valco company and on to a Trade House brand -"Royal Aire". An interesting giveaway is the use of the blank National logo plate as the basis for the "new" logo. This plate was being used in various colours and metals on National guitars and amplifiers through to the mid 1950s.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:45:11 GMT
Just for completeness - here's the original Gold BANTAR together with it's back engraving!!  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:45:50 GMT
A few weeks ago, I posted an illustration of a BLUE Dopera Original tenor Banjo that had just appeared - well,now here's another one! Now we have a bright red 6 string BANTAR with minimum engraving. So far we have 3 tenors, one 5 string and three Bantars. Each one has different engraving and colour schemes. I think there may have been possibly as many as 100 and, the way it's looking - every one unique! Incidentally, this red one seems to have a personalised "P.J" engraved on the headstock.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:46:30 GMT
This is the 1942 NATIONAL CATALOGUE - a really good picture of the Collegian metal body. it looks like it's lit up!  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:47:15 GMT
Just about everybody will know the black and white National New Yorker lap steels that were in production from the 30s to the 60s. In the book (PTSARS page 321) there is a nickel plated version with a black maple neck known simply as the "Hawaiian electric". An example of this has never been seen. I have just come across another catalogue reference to a "photograph" of ANOTHER version of this - which also has never been seen. Where are these things???  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:47:59 GMT
This is a European RADIOTONE -made in the SCHONBACH MUSIKPRODUKTIV GENOSSENSCHAFT in Czechoslovakia during the 30s .They were built mainly for export. It is thought that many were destroyed during the war and so the exported ones are the survivors. I call them "fishtails" because of their distinctive coverplate pattern. They are often assumed to be National made Triolian type instruments but they are not.  Here is an instrument that I have been sent by Jedrzej Kubiak in Poland. It seems to be another European "Radiotone" with bar markers and a different body shape. This one is branded as an "Aristocrat". Thanks Jed!  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:49:35 GMT
While we're in a "European" vein - here is (what is thought to be) a FRENCH Triplate from a time that may be contemporary with the National Triplates. I have known of this instrument for at least 30 years when Dave Crocker had it in the US. This one is a round neck  And now! - here is a second one from the same source - this time a Square neck! Anybody got any ideas??  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:52:13 GMT
How about this one! No serial number but I would put money on the date of manufacture being 1976 (Bicentennial). The 13 stars and red,white and blue binding are a bit of a giveaway! 2 piece matched mahogany back, 10 strings and enormous abalone star in the centre of the back. Now -the two interesting things. Firstly the large circular cutaway in the coverplate in place of a handrest which exposes the centre of the spider (which has an offset bridge with the screw behind) and Secondly, the amazing square neck construction which seems to have been done with a lathe! Just when you thought you'd seen it all!  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:52:58 GMT
Here is an electric DOBRO mandolin that has appeared with the cast aluminium pickup plate under the coverplate holding the blade pickup. This is the method of electric conversion for a Dobro without a well. The interesting thing about this is it is obviously a Dobro but was originally fitted with a NATIONAL logo decal and then covered up with a Dobro decal. It is numbered N395. The Dobro electric tenor guitar that I mention on page 122 of PTSARS is ALSO fitted with a National logo yet is obviously a Dobro body. This is numbered N419. Is there something about this number series that is perhaps the place for prototype electric developments with Dobro conversions. And why National logos on Dobro bodies?? Interesting!  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:53:38 GMT
This curiosity seems to be a cross between a brown pearl SUPRO COMET and a 1949 NATIONAL NEW YORKER. Certainly a New Yorker fingerboard from after 1946 and the large pickup from the same instrument. The handrest seems to come from a SUPRO VARSITY. It is not badged as either a National or a Supro although it does carry a V35000 plate on the back of the headstock dating it to 1950. They keep turning up don't they?  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:54:22 GMT
Here is a 'trade house' re-branding of a similar instrument to the National twin-neck console - Model 1050. Norman English, a guitar dealer and teacher of Lansing, Michigan produced ( or had Valco produce! ) the TONEMASTER range of instruments to supply to his students in the 1950s. This seems to be the only 'other' version of this guitar apart from the original National. Rather oddly, it has a completely one-piece moulded pickup and cover - making string changing almost impossible without removing the complete pickup cover assembly. Whilst it may have been requested by Norman English, it seems surprising that Valco would produce this rather confusing and unsatisfactory solution to this re-design. It appears in the TONEMASTER catalogue for 1961 selling for $289.50  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:55:08 GMT
The appearance of another STYLE 35 squareneck Triplate this week has made a bit more of the chronological detailing more apparent! The earliest STYLE 35 squarenecks (A series serial numbers) have wide National Type logo (no shield), an ebony fingerboard with real frets. Wiggle pattern body and coloured blue sea and sky on the front patterns. The second type (B series) have wide National Type logos ( WITH shield), black etched plastic long fingerboard, fake frets, Roman numerals. Wiggle pattern with coloured SEA ONLY. The third, later and cheaper version has Shield Deco logo, rosewood board, real frets. NO wiggle pattern and NO colour whatsoever. As far as I can tell, this is the only National to use all three of the black and white Art deco logos.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:56:04 GMT
Another variant of Supro's small amp output. This time, a matching amp for the Alkire Eharps - small Supreme type. This dates to 1959 - T7865.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:56:42 GMT
Although this is a perfectly normal late 1939/early 1940 Style 0 mandolin (G series), I have posted it here because it is the only instrument that I've seen that has a 'chicken foot' pattern stamped out of the very rare 'blister' coverplate. These are almost always found with the nine diamond sieve pattern. The blister on these National coverplates is a bit of a mystery. It occurs on mandolins and tenors, rarely on guitars, and seems to have no particular use except to adjust the break angle by raising the tailpiece slightly with its raised 'tail'. No explanation seems to have been written down anywhere.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 17:57:23 GMT
In the course of writing "Palm Trees, Senoritas and Rocket Ships", I managed to locate 5 'Dopera original' metal banjos that were made in OMI around 1968. Every one of them is, apparently, uniquely engraved, yet all are obviously done by the same person - prbably Calixto Higar, an old friend of the Dopyeras. They are all gold or silver or both in some form. However, here is a BLUE one that has just appeared! Tenor banjo - 26.5" scale, 11" head.  Shine On Michael |
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