Gibson 1950s lap steel

[Nils Kirschlager]

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

[Nils Kirschlager]

Gibson lap steel wiring

[John Dahms]

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.

[Ben Elder]

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.

[Nils Kirschlager]

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

[Andy DePaule]

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- ... el+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

[Karl Paulsen]

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.

[Nils Kirschlager]

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!

[Erv Niehaus]

I recommend pulling up this site of John Ely's:
www.hawaiiansteel.com

[Jack Hanson]

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.

[Andy DePaule]

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/prod ... wound.html

Or you can buy them as individual strings.
https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/cate ... e-strings/

You'll like that book, but be aware it will make you want more steels.
Best wishes,
Andy

[Jack Hanson]

You'll like that book, but be aware it will make you want more steels

Truer words may have never been written.

[Andy DePaule]

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!

[C. E. Jackson]

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.

[Andy DePaule]

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

[Nils Kirschlager]

You'll like that book, but be aware it will make you want more steels.

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...

[Andy DePaule]

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=xcipRLz ... HGpPr2xXG4

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.

[C. E. Jackson]

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

Thanks, Andy. Glad you enjoyed.

C. E.

[Karl Paulsen]

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.

[Jack Hanson]

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.

[Jack Hanson]

Gibson lap steel wiring