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Post by growler on Jul 25, 2008 17:10:51 GMT
Michael, Mark and Colin I just love those old 50's ads....... I am a keen collector of 20s, 30s, 50s advertising images. What struck me was the price of this guitar to me, looking at it , it seems expensive for what it was $ 125 . when you consider that just last year people where raving about how good those " Rogue " resos where ...... selling for $ 200
Have I a point here or not ?
Anyway going back to the UK for a weeks holiday this weekend ........... hope your weathers going to be good
Regards Growler
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Post by Michael Messer on Jul 25, 2008 19:05:23 GMT
Hi Growler,
I love all those graphics too - 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, ....and now as time goes by I see the 70s graphics in the same way. The Supro El Capitan is also a wonderful name for a guitar. It could only have come from a time when films like Rio Grande were being made!
Shine On Michael
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Post by sarahfowler on Aug 4, 2008 3:48:03 GMT
Hi Michael, I found a photo of my dad with the guitar but Im not sure how to post it for you to see.
Sarah
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 4, 2008 9:06:15 GMT
Hi Sarah,
Thank you! I would love to see a photo of your Dad with his National guitar. You can send it to info@myname.co.uk and I will post it on this thread.
You also asked a question about its value for insurance purposes. Your guitar is very rare, beautiful and valuable to your family, but its actual value in $$$$ is not that much. I have not seen one of these for sale recently and would prefer not to estimate its value. Can anybody help or suggest what it might be worth?
Shine On Michael.
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Post by kleekru on Mar 18, 2015 20:05:08 GMT
This is a great post!! Thank you for the list of dates and serial numbers. I have a Blond National New Yorker archtop Serial number X67784 that I received from my Uncle who probably bought it new... now I know that was back in 1956 thanks to your list. I also found this link of someone selling a National that looks very similar to a sunburst version of mine from 1959 here: www.ebay.com/itm/1959-National-Debonaire-Vintage-Archtop-Electric-Guitar-USA-Made-Supro-Harmony-/151398164030?_trksid=p2054897.l4275I'm happy to see they hold such value. I was ready to give mine up but now I may keep it... knowing the history makes it sound and feel a little nicer than it did yesterday. I just wish I had more room in my house. Kevin
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fluke
MM Forum Member
Posts: 2
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Post by fluke on Sept 4, 2015 16:13:39 GMT
Hi folks, may I ask you some questions about the NATIONAL DEBONAIRE Do you know WHEN this model was introduced ? and UNTIL WHEN it was produced ? I read that Harmony was providing the bodies, is that correct ? Thanks for your help, F.
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Post by Mark Makin on Sept 6, 2015 17:48:31 GMT
Hi Fluke The National Debonaire appeared in National catalogues in 1953 listed as the Model 1107. It lasted until 1957. It was basically a cutaway version of the Model 1125 DYNAMIC. Yes they were built by Harmony. Best Mark
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Post by mitchfit on Sept 6, 2015 18:53:31 GMT
surprised to see a thread of this age re-emerge. sarahfowler, if you are still following this thread-- i am just a part time national enthusiast here. even so, i feel compelled to heap up some accolades where they are deserved. IE- Colin Michael and Mark, who distribute freely information that took ~many~ years of their time to amass. here, Mark has gone over-the-top in offering this info at no cost. perhaps, cutting himself out of another sale... he has written what most consider "THE" reference book for national guitars: www.markmakin.co.uk/would wager large amounts of american inflationary notes that if you took this guitar to Gruhn's guitar in nashville, TN for appraisal, he would go get his copy of Mark's book before the verdict came down. but if you had no knowledge of Mark's achievements, doubt that George Gruhn's name will ring any bells, either. [not meant as criticism. just both are well known experts in the guitar field] oh, yeah---MY "well informed" obscure informational answer contribution: if your mother gave this guitar to your [very fortunate] father on march 3rd, 1953, it was only slightly more than a week before my mother gave me to my father. i know the press is just busting at the seams to print this disclosure before others do... only this particular website freely disseminates such archaic info from such well versed sources, that's Michael's fault--er contribution. three cheers for the three of them! mitchfit
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fluke
MM Forum Member
Posts: 2
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Post by fluke on Sept 7, 2015 9:16:39 GMT
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Post by Mark Makin on Sept 7, 2015 15:18:39 GMT
Hi Fluke Yes, you're absolutely right. The only way we can comment on what was made is by collecting details of the outstanding examples in conjunction with the catalogues and adverts of the time. So far, we have no production details from the company (valco) itself.
These guitars occurred in the 1953, 1956 and 1957 catalogues. As far as I know, there was no 1954,55 and 58 National catalogue. They have definitely disappeared by the 1959 brochure. So your assumption that the model lines kept running until a change was needed is probably absolutely correct.
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