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Post by fredkinbom on Jul 20, 2007 20:26:41 GMT
Michael, I saw in your Tribo-Tone review that you mentioned a 1934 National lap steel, and having seen the collection of aluminium 1930s lap steels on the Notecannons site, I take it you are talking abount one of these? "La guitare magique", as Gino Bordin called his. How do you rate these? Being a huge fan of the National New Yorker (in particular the 1930s model with three pickups) I am very intrigued by this earlier model. I have read elsewhere that they don't stay in tune very well - do you agree with this? Also, have you recorded this lap steel on any of your albums? How would you describe the pickup and sound in general? Many thanks! Cheers, Fred
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Post by Michael Messer on Jul 21, 2007 9:58:30 GMT
Hi Fred, Gino was right - truly a magical & magnificent guitar. I have owned mine since 1990 and have recorded & toured with it more times than I care to remember. It is my favourite electric lap-steel. I like the long scale and the fact that in 1934 the electric lap steel concept was still in its infancy, so these guitars have a real fingerboard and frets. Unlike later lap steels. The mind-set of the design is a bit like an electric Tricone. The pickup is so crude that it looks like it was made in a garden shed out of old bits & pieces, but it has a fantastic tone. Because of the hollow aluminium body & neck, at low volume levels there is a lovely acoustic tone. At high levels these machines can really rock! They stay in tune beautifully, I have never had any problems regarding staying in tune. I use it in many tunings - GBDGBD - DGDGBD - AC#EAC#E - EBEG#BE - FACFAC.....and so on. I recommend these instruments to anyone who is an electric lap steel player. I have used it for most styles of steel guitar playing from old style sweet Hawaiian to full blown hard rock. I think all old electric guitars sound best through small valve amps. When I first got it I always played it through my Mesa Boogie Mark 1, but these days I run it through my Amp Dr John 6 watt Champ Amp. There is no difference between the National and Dobro models, but my personal preference are the earlier ones. Over the years I have seen quite a few of them and they are all lovely guitars with a superb tone and feel. To quote Gino once more....."La guitare magique" Shine On, Michael
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Post by fredkinbom on Jul 21, 2007 11:58:49 GMT
Many thanks for the input Michael! Will keep my eyes open for one of those.
BTW, I recently strung my 1937 New Yorker with (custom gauge) Newtone "Michael Messer" strings - great sound and feel!
Cheers,
Fred
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Post by Michael Messer on Jul 21, 2007 12:27:32 GMT
I love those Newtone strings. And that is not just because they have my name on the package.
Sometimes when I use the National lap steel in low tunings ...CFCFAC...for example...I use a 65 as a bass string. It sounds amazing.
Shine On, Michael
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Post by lee holliday on Jul 21, 2007 17:36:52 GMT
Fred, I too have owned a cast Aluminium steel which in the ten years as custodian stayed in tune, I sold mine earlier in the year and it went Gurnsey. They can be brutal for gutbucket blues or chime the Hula birds out of the trees. Incidently keep an eye out for Colin @ notecannons as he may have one which may be available, his are the multi collective in the earlier post (normally sparks fly when you get this many lap steels in one place, but not to worry as they are aluminium!) . Regards Lee
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tbob
MM Forum Member
Posts: 1
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Post by tbob on Sept 6, 2018 1:59:22 GMT
hi, have been the owner of a {1935/1937} national lap steel guitar. I looking for some who can help give me some knowledge of this and possible appraisal. I would be happy to email or text pictures. I understand these are somewhat rare. Any and all info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 6, 2018 7:41:36 GMT
Hello tbob, Welcome to our forum. We would be happy to tell you about your guitar. You need to upload some photos to this thread and then we can see it. You might be interested in getting a copy of Mark Makin's wonderful book, "Palm Trees, Rocket Ships & Senoritas" www.markmakin.co.uk/index.htmlI am happy to appraise your guitar and tell you all I can, but not to value it. We look forward to seeing it. Shine On Michael
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Post by zero on Nov 8, 2018 22:08:40 GMT
Hello tbob, Welcome to our forum. We would be happy to tell you about your guitar. You need to upload some photos to this thread and then we can see it. You might be interested in getting a copy of Mark Makin's wonderful book, "Palm Trees, Rocket Ships & Senoritas" www.markmakin.co.uk/index.htmlI am happy to appraise your guitar and tell you all I can, but not to value it. We look forward to seeing it. Shine On Michael I have a National (cast aluminum) Lap Steel Ser # N 562 that is a little different then most I have seen.It has the longer fingerboard but never had the adjustable pickup screws and no bridge cover.It is all original with the case.Would that be a 1935 0r 36 ? I can post photos if I can figure out how.I'm not selling it,don't need value either.Just thought some might like to see it since there are not that many around....Cheers Chris
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Post by zero on Nov 8, 2018 22:39:58 GMT
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Post by leeophonic on Nov 9, 2018 16:16:42 GMT
Zero, nice guitar, it looks like the knobs have been changed, not surprising as were originally of very brittle plastic.
Enjoy the guitar, I have had four over the years, two Nationals, the Dobro and the supro, the revolving door means they come and go.
Lee
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Post by zero on Nov 10, 2018 16:05:22 GMT
Thanks Lee....Yes the knobs could have been changed.They were on there when I bought it.You see these on some Rickenbacker's from that same time period but I have never seen them on a National. Anyone have a close up photo of the standard National knobs ?....Chris
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 10, 2018 16:20:00 GMT
Hi Chris Here you go, these are original knobs Shine On Michael
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Post by zero on Nov 11, 2018 0:08:03 GMT
Thanks Michael,Just what I needed! Can anyone shed some light on the serial #, like the year it was built.Are ALL the numbers beginning with N from 1935 ?
Thanks to all....Chris
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Post by leeophonic on Nov 11, 2018 11:06:10 GMT
Zero, your path to enlightenment will be complete when you get a copy of Marks book, it should be on every forum members Christmas list if you do not already have a copy.
Your guitar has the tone & volume knobs which the early ones did not, unusually you have a screw on connector for the amp lead, this is unusual although it was not uncommon with the later wooden lap steels.
I do not think the knobs are Rickenbachers, more harmony or something like that, they are the correct period however, the ones on Michaels guitar are original but they are brittle and you have to be careful when using them or tightening the retaining screw.
Enjoy the guitar,
PS they can be a little quiet and ensure the tone goes from Dark and wooly to bright and chimey, depending on where you are based there are a few pickup sources who may be of use.
Lee
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pfunk
MM Forum Member
Posts: 14
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Post by pfunk on Oct 10, 2022 20:56:04 GMT
Love mine to the bone. Serialnr 157, no tone- just volume-knob. Here it is:
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