Question about 1935 National string height

[Audun Skeie]

Hello,

This week I acquired a 1935 National aluminium lap steel, S/N 175. Wonderful piece of history, and the original pickup sounds surprisingly good for its age. One issue though, the bridge seems too low as the strings are very close to the body. There's around 1-2 mm space between the body and strings. I can't imagine this is how it originally was, considering the strings will too easily touch the body while playing. Does anyone who owns this National model have the same issue?

This particular guitar have been modified some, excessive drilling, added tone-knob & moved the jack-input to the side.

Also, does anyone know the purpose of the "keychain" at the bottom of the body? (See picture)

Thanks


This is my first post, I hope the pictures got uploaded [/img]

[Audun Skeie]

Seems I didn't properly upload the images, here's a link https://imgur.com/a/VfqJGtc

[Noah Miller]

Someone slotted the bridge saddle a bit deeper. Originally, the slots were just deep enough to keep the strings from popping out when plucked. But you only lost maybe 1mm there. There was never more than a few mm to begin with.

The saddle can always be replaced with a higher one if it's causing you problems. It's just a piece of wood, and that one looks like a replacement anyway. I believe this steel was converted to an 8-string and back.

[Jack Hanson]

I would agree; that saddle should definitely be replaced. Should be a relatively quick and easy task for any qualified luthier -- or anyone handy with access to the proper tools -- to fabricate a new saddle for your National Electric Hawaiian.

[Barry Fagan]

Hi Audun,

Regarding the keychain at the bottom of the instrument, I believe it is indeed a keychain, added by a former owner to replace the original screwed in strap button. Here is a picture of the button on mine, N162. [/img][/img]