National lap/console parts
Moderator: Brad Bechtel
-
Louie Warren
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 21 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Sumerduck, VA, USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
National lap/console parts
I have a National Dynamic 6... the keys crumbled and I replaced them with an old set I had lying around... they work well. The case is slowly falling apart... so bad that the steel fell to the ground and shattered the pickup cover (black). I had a nice guy on this forum send me a cover, but it was for an 8 string. Anyone had luck finding parts for these? I guess I need a case and pickup cover.
I also have a National D8... it is in fine shape. The original owner (I believe he was a member of this forum by the name of Herb) replaced the keys with some chrome Klusons and they work fine. The main problems I'm having with it is, the nuts seem to be slanting towards the bridge, and the pickups are weak. Since I live near Lindy Fralin, I suppose I could check out rewinding, but would rather wait until they die. They are the same huge humbucker looking pickups that are on the Dynamic. Also, the case is slowly coming apart. Any pointers as to how to get all this fixed? Don't see many, if any, places that sell National parts. Thanx.
L
------------------
Please help spread the word!
http://home.earthlink.net/~es336td/stolen.html
National Dynamic, National D8 Console
I also have a National D8... it is in fine shape. The original owner (I believe he was a member of this forum by the name of Herb) replaced the keys with some chrome Klusons and they work fine. The main problems I'm having with it is, the nuts seem to be slanting towards the bridge, and the pickups are weak. Since I live near Lindy Fralin, I suppose I could check out rewinding, but would rather wait until they die. They are the same huge humbucker looking pickups that are on the Dynamic. Also, the case is slowly coming apart. Any pointers as to how to get all this fixed? Don't see many, if any, places that sell National parts. Thanx.
L
------------------
Please help spread the word!
http://home.earthlink.net/~es336td/stolen.html
National Dynamic, National D8 Console
-
Steinar Gregertsen
- Posts: 3234
- Joined: 18 Feb 2003 1:01 am
- Location: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
Louie, I have a clear cover from a 6-string '48 Dynamic. Don't know if it would fit yours, but if you want it let me know and I'll ship it to you.
It's the one on this:
Uh, well, I see that the photo is without the cover, but you get the idea....
Steinar
------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 19 September 2006 at 01:27 PM.]</p></FONT>
It's the one on this:
Uh, well, I see that the photo is without the cover, but you get the idea....
Steinar
------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 19 September 2006 at 01:27 PM.]</p></FONT>
-
Louie Warren
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 21 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Sumerduck, VA, USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
It's just like mine!
------------------
Please help spread the word!
http://home.earthlink.net/~es336td/stolen.html
National Dynamic, National D8 Console
------------------
Please help spread the word!
http://home.earthlink.net/~es336td/stolen.html
National Dynamic, National D8 Console
-
Steinar Gregertsen
- Posts: 3234
- Joined: 18 Feb 2003 1:01 am
- Location: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
If you mail your post address to steinar AT gregertsen DOT com - I'll pack it as safely as I can and post it to you.
Steinar
------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
Steinar
------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
-
Louie Warren
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 21 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Sumerduck, VA, USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
-
Louie Warren
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 21 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Sumerduck, VA, USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
Again!
Steinar was so nice to send me that clear cover... it worked great! However, my case was falling a part and trying to avoid the reason the original cover got broken, I bought a new Gretsch lap steel gig bag back in June. Long story/short; it got dropped on pavement while a well meaning friend was "helping" me load in... the cover shattered.
So, is there somewhere that sells parts? Do any of the chrome covers for Fender guitars/basses fit? I don't really need a cover, I just like to play with my right hand resting on it.
Thanx
L
So, is there somewhere that sells parts? Do any of the chrome covers for Fender guitars/basses fit? I don't really need a cover, I just like to play with my right hand resting on it.
Thanx
L
-
Rich Hlaves
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 28 Feb 2007 4:30 pm
- Location: Wildomar, California, USA
- State/Province: California
- Country: United States
I think that steel is a bit of a nudist and just wants to be played NAKED!
You might try Jim at Steel Guitars of North County
http://www.stlgitr.com/
He is a real nice guy and has help me out in the recent past.
You might try Jim at Steel Guitars of North County
http://www.stlgitr.com/
He is a real nice guy and has help me out in the recent past.
-
Mark White
- Posts: 413
- Joined: 13 Nov 2005 1:01 am
- Location: Michigan, USA
- State/Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Warren, I had an eight string National that came without a case. I bought a dulcimer case that worked perfectly for it. I don't know if the dimensions of the 6 string are the same as the 8 though.

Elderly carries them and gives some of the dimensions here: http://elderly.com/accessories/items/DCEV.htm

Elderly carries them and gives some of the dimensions here: http://elderly.com/accessories/items/DCEV.htm
-
Johnne Lee Ables
- Posts: 398
- Joined: 16 Nov 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Minnesota, USA
- State/Province: Minnesota
- Country: United States
GREAT idea...
Mark,
Thanks so much for posting this GREAT idea.
j
Thanks so much for posting this GREAT idea.
j
Mark White wrote:Warren, I had an eight string National that came without a case. I bought a dulcimer case that worked perfectly for it. I don't know if the dimensions of the 6 string are the same as the 8 though.
Elderly carries them and gives some of the dimensions here: http://elderly.com/accessories/items/DCEV.htm
-
Mark White
- Posts: 413
- Joined: 13 Nov 2005 1:01 am
- Location: Michigan, USA
- State/Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
-
Louie Warren
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 21 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Sumerduck, VA, USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
That is sweet! Thanx!Mark White wrote:Warren, I had an eight string National that came without a case. I bought a dulcimer case that worked perfectly for it. I don't know if the dimensions of the 6 string are the same as the 8 though.
Elderly carries them and gives some of the dimensions here: http://elderly.com/accessories/items/DCEV.htm
Louie
-
Louie Warren
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 21 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Sumerduck, VA, USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
-
Louie Warren
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 21 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Sumerduck, VA, USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
Damn it man!
I normally play my National D8 on a keyboard table stand (see my avatar). At a recent gig, we were up on a riser about 8 inches or so; the table stand goes up about 48 inches. As I was packing up, don't know what happened, the entire stand/steel fell off the stage. It cracked one of the pickup plastic covers. Has any one found a supplier for these covers? Has anyone successfully used a chrome bass cover or something in place of the cover? Not that it's necessary, but it's a little easier to play when I can rest my right hand on that cover. I know need a 6 string and an 8 string cover. I've tried most suggestions in this thread with no results. I've had many offers of spare parts and I do appreciate it, but would like to find another source. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-
Brad Bechtel
- Moderator
- Posts: 8574
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- State/Province: California
- Country: United States
If you have a TAP plastics store (or similar plastics store) near you, you may be able to have someone make a replacement. Otherwise eBay is your friend. Good luck - these are very uncommon parts.
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
-
Rich Hlaves
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 28 Feb 2007 4:30 pm
- Location: Wildomar, California, USA
- State/Province: California
- Country: United States
-
Jim Konrad
- Posts: 338
- Joined: 14 Mar 2008 8:10 am
- Location: The Great Black Swamp USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
Re: National lap/console parts
Louie Warren wrote:the steel fell to the ground and shattered the pickup cover (black).
Long story/short; it got dropped on pavement while a well meaning friend was "helping" me load in... the cover shattered.
the entire stand/steel fell off the stage. It cracked one of the pickup plastic covers.
I don't think it is the covers that you need LOL!!
I would not use a stand if I were you, dig a hole waist deep, stand in the hole and play the steel on the ground!!!! That way it cannot fall!
Sorry!!!
In all seriousness....
It should be east to do. Home depot sells it. Cover your wife's iron with foil and use low heat to bend the sides down just like a stock one. You could even paint it black to look better. Be sure to paint it from the inside (bottom) so the paint can not scratch. But scratches are the least of the trouble here?Rich Hlaves wrote:Louie, I was going to make a couple over the holidays out of clear Lexan.RH
-
Tom Pettingill
- Posts: 2246
- Joined: 23 Apr 2007 11:10 am
- Location: California, USA (deceased)
- State/Province: California
- Country: United States
This may be of interest to some of our mad scientists http://www.mimf.com/library/robinson_plastic_parts.htm
Its a tutorial on making plastic parts from the Musical Instrument Makers Forum.
Its a tutorial on making plastic parts from the Musical Instrument Makers Forum.
-
Rich Hlaves
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 28 Feb 2007 4:30 pm
- Location: Wildomar, California, USA
- State/Province: California
- Country: United States
I went looking on the web to find the raw material for making the PU covers. The space between the cover thumbwheels on a National D8 is 3.5". I found square Acrylic tubing that has a 1/4" wall and a 4.0" OD. That makes the ID exactly 3.5". This will carve up nicely on a table saw for the covers.
I now need to find a local supplier that will sell me just a foot or two of the stuff. Minimum order is 6' from the site I found and the suff is $20.65 a foot. I hate to spend $150 with shipping when I can make a dozen covers or more out of 2 feet of the stuff.
Anybody want to do a three way split on the material? This would make it affordable for all.
RH
I now need to find a local supplier that will sell me just a foot or two of the stuff. Minimum order is 6' from the site I found and the suff is $20.65 a foot. I hate to spend $150 with shipping when I can make a dozen covers or more out of 2 feet of the stuff.
Anybody want to do a three way split on the material? This would make it affordable for all.
RH
-
Jim Konrad
- Posts: 338
- Joined: 14 Mar 2008 8:10 am
- Location: The Great Black Swamp USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States
Rich,
They have 1/8 sheets at Home Depot for like $12-$15 or so.
Cut it out the right size, sand the edges with 300, 600, 1200, then automotive polishing compound. then heat it up on a low temp and bend the sides down.
Cut the grooves for the thumb screws with a grinder bit on a dremel.
Paint it black on the underside (it will look like black plastic from the top)so the paint will not scratch.
Install, I think it should be that simple?
They have 1/8 sheets at Home Depot for like $12-$15 or so.
Cut it out the right size, sand the edges with 300, 600, 1200, then automotive polishing compound. then heat it up on a low temp and bend the sides down.
Cut the grooves for the thumb screws with a grinder bit on a dremel.
Paint it black on the underside (it will look like black plastic from the top)so the paint will not scratch.
Install, I think it should be that simple?
-
Louie Warren
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 21 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Sumerduck, VA, USA
- State/Province: -
- Country: United States