National D-8

[Mike DiAlesandro]

Hey Non Peddlers,

I have acquired 2 National D-8's. I would like to get your opinion on the classic looking one first.

I have set it up and played both necks, put strings on the front neck to Don Helms E 13th tuning, and the rear neck is tuned A6th.

The pickups are strong on both of the necks and all the electronics work well.

Wondering if there is any interest in these. Seems to be a nice Classic 50's Country and/or a Western Swing machine.

Has the original case and legs, here are a few photos.

I was thinking around $650, is that in the ballpark?

Thanks in advance.

Mike D

[J Fletcher]

A bargain at $650 . I would say $800 at least .

[Michael Lester]

Frankly, you're giving it away at $650.

Reverb has 5 or 6 of them for sale right now - only one for less than $1,000.

Yours has some cosmetic issues which affects the price a bit. But yours has legs - many do not. And, your case looks to be in good shape. Most of the cases I've looked at are junk.

Yours is missing the pickup covers, but most players I've watched on-line remove them for string blocking anyway.

[Michael Miller]

Those replacement tuners may knock the value/price down for some...

[Mike DiAlesandro]

Thank you for all the responses. I left it as-is. For a reason.

If the new owner doesn't care for "retro-original" front, they can peal the name labels off, clean/sand and repaint. To me, it looks like something out
of a 1950's Western Swing Dance Hall...

I am thinking of going with $700, and hope the buyer really gets much enjoyment from this steel.

[Mike DiAlesandro]

Well National Console #1 has found a new home up in Canada. I wish it well.

Thanks again for the comments and advice.

Today I am presenting National Console #2. It's a different beast, in much better shape.

It has more of a cosmopolitan feel, with the black and gold accents. It also has dual pickups on each neck, with a blender pot, on the far right of each respective pickup cover, similar to a Fender Stringmaster.

The rest of the electronics seem to be the same as National #1, and they all work well, and as they should.

The serial # G15675 is stamped on a tag on the underside.

She seemed to sound quite nice, even with the rusty strings. I have removed them and cleaned her up.

Here are some photos. Wondering if this style has a certain name or model number.

Again, thanks in advance. Mike D

[Mike DiAlesandro]

Does anyone have any knowledge about this 2nd (black) National I have posted photos of?

[Brad Bechtel]

It looks like a 1964 National Console, based on my reading of Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guiars. National made several different models called the Console, but this appears to be the closest to the description in that book.

It's relatively rare since the steel guitar market was dying post-Elvis at that time.

[Mike DiAlesandro]

It looks like a 1964 National Console, based on my reading of Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guiars. National made several different models called the Console, but this appears to be the closest to the description in that book.

It's relatively rare since the steel guitar market was dying post-Elvis at that time.

Thank you Brad, I appreciate the information.

[Noah Miller]

They are both Grand Consoles. The older one is a model 1050, the newer one a Console 50 (which was just a re-naming of the 1050). The differences in appearance aren't really due to the model number, but to time.

[Aaron Clinton]

Hi Mike,

I gigged the first one for the first time last night. The finger spacing on those nationals is a little tight and took me a few songs to adjust, but man that thing screams! UPS put a lickin’ on me for brokerage, but I’m over it. Thanks again!

[Mike DiAlesandro]

Hi Mike,

I gigged the first one for the first time last night. The finger spacing on those nationals is a little tight and took me a few songs to adjust, but man that thing screams! UPS put a lickin’ on me for brokerage, but I’m over it. Thanks again!

Sure thing Aaron! Those import tariffs can be rough, glad she is sounding good for ya.