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Topic: Gibson 1950s lap steel |
Nils Kirschlager
From:
Germany
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Posted 7 Oct 2017 8:48 am |
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Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and I hope you can help me answer some questions about my new acquisition: a Gibson lap steel from probably the early 50s. I've found pictures of the same model in the internet sometimes labeled as "Ultratone", sometimes as "Century". Do you guys know which model it is and what year it might be? I'm guessing 1952, but I'm not sure. I will post another picture of the wiring scheme someone put in its case. Maybe anyone knows if it's accurate? Also, which replacement tuners would you suggest for this model? I'd like to save the original ones...
Thanks a lot for your help, guys!
Nils
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Nils Kirschlager
From:
Germany
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Posted 7 Oct 2017 8:49 am
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Gibson lap steel wiring
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John Dahms
From:
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 7 Oct 2017 10:32 am
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This is a Century. It was a part of the Ultratone series. If I remember correctly it would have come out in blue in ca.'53. It some point in '54 there were serial numbers stamped on the back of the headstock. If there is no number it would be from before that. The pots may or may not have a date code stamped in them.
It has been quite a few years since I had one but as I remember it there is a volume and 2 tones, a mid and regular tone control. The P90 pickup sounds great. I used to remove the cover to get more range of tone for my picking hand.
_________________
Time flies like an eagle
Fruit flies like a banana. |
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Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 7 Oct 2017 12:00 pm
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| Does it have an ink-stamped serial number on the back of the headstock? My 1953 Century is 3 ####, just as a Les Paul, etc. of that year would be numbered. |
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Nils Kirschlager
From:
Germany
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Posted 7 Oct 2017 12:38 pm
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Hi,
thanks for your replies! There is no serial number on the back, and the pots seem to be unstamped (I didn't remove the tape from the volume but on the other pots are no stamps visible).
Are there any limits in string gauges with this non adjustable bridge? Or will I run into trouble in some tunings/gauges?
Really appreciate your help! Great forum 
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 7 Oct 2017 2:46 pm The Gibson Lap Steel Book
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Hi Nils,
There is a book available on Gibson Lap steel guitars.
It shows a steel like or very close to that one.
My copy of the book is at my house overseas and I'm not there now so can't look it up... A very nice dream book worth buying.
It is on Amazon now at this link;
https://www.amazon.com/Gibson-Electric-Steel-Guitars-1935-1967/dp/1423457021/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1507416263&sr=8-6&keywords=Gibson+Lap+Steel+Guitars
I don't think that many of them were made compared to other models.
Wish I could tell you more, but thats a nice find and your lucky to have it.
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Karl Paulsen
From:
Chicago
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Posted 7 Oct 2017 8:36 pm
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That is lovely! I just played a nearly identical one (though not in as nice condition) at Chicago Music Exchange. Keep in mind that this is a fairly high-end collector's kind of place that marks things as high as they can, but I think you'll be pleased to see the tag (possibly with the wrong year) they had on it...
A few more pics here: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=321662
As for replacement tuners I don't have a specific suggstion, but if you take carefull measurements you should be able to find some that fit the same screw holes. |
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Nils Kirschlager
From:
Germany
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Posted 8 Oct 2017 5:26 am
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Hey Karl,
good to know  . I paid around 800$ for it in its original case. But I intend to play it, not to have it as an investment. Which brings me to a different question: what kind of string sets/gauges does it take with this bridge? I want to experiment with some different tunings - but to be honest, I'm really new to this and I don't know where to begin...
@Andy: thanks for the book recommendation - I ordered my copy yesterday! |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2017 6:31 am
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| Gotoh markets nearly identical replacements for the original Kluson Deluxes. They are mechanically superior to the originals. They will drop right into the existing holes. I have installed them in a couple of identical instruments, as well as other Gibsons of that era. You will not be disappointed. |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 8 Oct 2017 7:25 am Strings on the forum
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Hi Nils,
I always get Strings on the forum from Bob to help the forum keep going.
He has 8 string sets that you just don't use the 2 lower ones.
https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/products/SIT®-A6th-or-C6th%2C-pure-nickel-wound.html
Or you can buy them as individual strings.
https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/categories/Strings/single-strings/
You'll like that book, but be aware it will make you want more steels.
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2017 7:54 am Re: Strings on the forum
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| Andy De Paule wrote: |
| You'll like that book, but be aware it will make you want more steels |
Truer words may have never been written. |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 8 Oct 2017 8:02 am Re: Strings on the forum
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| Jack Hanson wrote: |
| Andy De Paule wrote: |
| You'll like that book, but be aware it will make you want more steels |
Truer words may have never been written. |
Sure made me buy more steels than I deserve!   
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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C. E. Jackson
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Posted 8 Oct 2017 8:48 am
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Just a comment following above posts by Andy De Paule and Jack Hanson.
GIBSON ELECTRIC STEEL GUITARS 1935-1967
By A. R. Duchossoir, Copyright 2009, is, in my
opinion, the best and most comprehensive book on
vintage Gibson Steels I have found. The book has
a very good selection of vintage Gibson steel photos,
serial numbers information, and shipping totals for
various models.
I highly recommend the book to vintage Gibson
owners and collectors, and it will make you
want more vintage Gibson steels.
C. E.
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 8 Oct 2017 8:58 am Thanks C.E.
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Thanks C.E.
I just saw you had links to your playing on youtube.
Playing some now and makes for a nice Sunday morning wake up.
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Nils Kirschlager
From:
Germany
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Posted 9 Oct 2017 12:19 am Re: Strings on the forum
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| Andy De Paule wrote: |
You'll like that book, but be aware it will make you want more steels.
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One for every tuning So how many steels do you all own? And do you consider yourselves as collectors?
Trying to play my way through "Sleepwalk" in C6 tuning as we speak. Got the harmonic part down. Drove the cat crazy... |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 9 Oct 2017 3:33 am Sleep Walk
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Yes I tune one to C6th and sometimes use it on sleep walk. The original is in that key. You can play it in A6th as I often do, but have to use different strings and positions, not too hard to figure out.
I like the A6 best, but use the C6 guitar for working with tab in that key.
I like E7 for blues and the Diatonic is fun and easy.
There are some old Buddy Merrilll tunes on youtube where he plays a bass tuning on the front of a quad in parts of a songs. I'd love to know what that tuning is if anyone has an idea?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcipRLzk4zM&index=2&list=RDyHGpPr2xXG4
I have three single neck lap steels, one duel 8 and a duel 8 Clinesmith Console on order.
Also 3 pedal steels plus 4 I'm in the middle of re-building, but don't consider myself a collector. In fact I may sell some.
Collecting can get expensive on some of the vintage items.
Would love to have a Bigsby but that is way out of my $$$$ finances.
Glad there are people who can afford to buy, keep and preserve them.
I'd like to get a 7 or 8 string Rickey if the prices were not too high.
Always keep my eye open for the nicer old ones, but if the asking price is too high I let it go to someone else. They were all very cheap a few years ago.
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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C. E. Jackson
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Karl Paulsen
From:
Chicago
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Posted 9 Oct 2017 12:34 pm
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| Nils Kirschlager wrote: |
Hey Karl,
good to know . I paid around 800$ for it in its original case. But I intend to play it, not to have it as an investment. |
Play the heck out of it. Yours is already many times cleaner than the one I played. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2017 2:22 pm
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| Karl Paulsen wrote: |
| Yours is already many times cleaner than the one I played. |
For some reason the blue Centurys are prone to the finish flaking off, especially on the sides and at the end around the jackplate. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2017 2:25 pm
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| Nils Kirschlager wrote: |
Gibson lap steel wiring
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