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Topic: Picked up a National New Yorker today... |
Scott Parker
From:
Bay Area, CA
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Posted 15 Dec 2014 9:09 pm |
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This is my first post on here, and just thought I'd introduce myself and say hi to everyone. Have been wanted to pick up a lap steel and had the opportunity today.
I picked up what seems to be a 1935(?) National New Yorker today. Didn't seem like a bad deal for $100. Have no idea if it works, but seems all original. This apparently is the three pickup model (one visible pickup and the other two are under the fretboard), which was made in the mid 1930's?
I don't play lap steel (I play guitar and banjo). Ordered up 1/4" cable with a Switchcraft 2501f connector on the other end and some GHS GLSC6 strings for C6 tuning.
Anyone have any more info on this particular model and how it sounds? I like playing old school country music.
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Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 16 Dec 2014 2:46 am
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Welcome to the wide, wide world of lap steel guitar, and especially to this Forum. Be aware that these little 6-strings are highly addictive. You may as well case up that armpit guitar and banjo for awhile, as they're bound to get dusty from inactivity.
New Yorkers are one of the all-time classic lap steel models. $100.00? Sounds like Santa came early in Colorado this season. That is a seriously smokin' hot deal, Scott. Congratulations.
Good luck! |
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Scott Parker
From:
Bay Area, CA
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Posted 16 Dec 2014 4:20 am
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Thanks guys for the kind words. I'm pretty excited, albeit a bit overwhelmed! You guys play in a TON of different tunings! Makes it tough for a newb to decide on what tuning to start with!
Do you guys think that C6 is a good place to start for a guy who likes to play old school country and more modern alt-country/country rock along the lines of old Son Volt and Wilco type stuff? I know a lot of guys like to use an open G/dobro tuning for their lap steels, but I have a Melody maker that I keep in open G and figured that it would be a bit redundant to use the same tuning for the lap steel, and should be adventurous and try something different.
Thoughts and comments on that are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks! |
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John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 16 Dec 2014 4:38 am
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The New Yorkers generally go for a lot more.
They are cool guitars and sought after as well.
I'm sure some of the fellas on here will help you with the tunings.
JB
_________________
Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 16 Dec 2014 7:21 am
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Congratulations and welcome, Scott! I think C6th will be a great tuning for the types of music you mentioned wanting to play. There are lots of resources for learning that tuning.
$100 is a steal. Even if it doesn't work currently, it should be relatively easy to get it working.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Jim Bloomfield
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 16 Dec 2014 11:41 am
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| Nice to see you on here Scott! Welcome. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 16 Dec 2014 11:59 am
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You've started out with a good lap steel. $100 is a very good price. I have two. One is in perfect condition and I paid a lot more than that for it. The other I paid $66 for in a completely dilapidated condition and rebuilt.
Last edited by Alan Brookes on 16 Dec 2014 5:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Scott Parker
From:
Bay Area, CA
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Posted 16 Dec 2014 4:23 pm
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| Alan Brookes wrote: |
| You've started out with a good lap steel. $100 is a very good price. I have two. One is in perfect condition and I paid a lot more than that for it. The other I paid $60 for in a completely dilapidated condition and rebuilt. |
I saw your thread chronicling the restoration. Really enjoyed it! |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Scott Parker
From:
Bay Area, CA
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Posted 18 Dec 2014 12:07 am
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| Received the cable in the mail today. Everything seems to work! Still waiting for the strings to be delivered, but plugged it in and tapped on all three pickups and they all appear to work, as does all of the controls! |
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Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
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Scott Parker
From:
Bay Area, CA
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Posted 19 Dec 2014 9:24 pm
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| Put some GHS strings on earlier tonight. Everything works! Sounds nice, but would sound better if I knew how to play it! May need a new nut and/or saddle. Awesome thing is, earlier I was going to get my haircut at my barber but was early and noticed a guitar shop a block away. It's a small repair shop that also sells some gear. Went in and chatted them up. Amazing people, and the owner showed me a few old lap steels, some old Gibson hollow bodies he was restoring and were just overall nice guys. May bring the National in for them to check out tomorrow. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2014 7:42 am
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| Scott Parker wrote: |
| May need a new nut |
Judging from the photo, I would definitely cut a new nut for the National. Just be sure to save the old one.
Bar slants are so much easier when the string spacing is wider at the nut. I made a new nut for an old Supro and fanned out the spacing considerably. Huge improvement, in my opinion. |
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