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Topic: National New Yorker 7 String or ? |
Tony Oresteen
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2022 4:30 pm |
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I've been semi-looking for a 7 string lap steel for a while and I just found out that National made New Yorkers in 7 and in 8 string models. Wow!
My Stringmasters have the 8 strings world covered. Still, a lap steel 7 string interests me (yes I know I can just take a string off of my Vorson 8 string lap steel and Bam! a 7 string lap steel).
My options seem to be are to have a builder make me a 7 string or find a National New Yorker 7 string or what? I see that post-war 6 string Ricks are reasonable but I am not sure what the 7 string models go for. I have never played a Bakelite steel.
I've listened to You Tube videos of the National New Yorker and I like their sound. Anyone here playing a 7 string version and can comment on the 7 string version? I assume that the scale is 23.0".
What would a "fair market value" be for a National New Yorker 7 string model in working condition? I am not looking for a museum quality copy that would kept under glass but one that I could take to a gig or jam. Given the current market conditions I assume the price would be 25% higher that they were 2 years ago.
My budget for a 7 string lap steel with a case is $1,300 max. Not sure if that is overly optimistic. GC has a 1940's Epiphone 7 string for $900
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Epiphone/Vintage-1940s-Zephyr-7-String-Lap-Steel-118125419.gc
Thanks!
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA
Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black
PedalMaster D8 |
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Justin Brown
From:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2022 5:43 pm
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| Tony I sent you a message, might have what you are looking for. |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 12 Dec 2022 5:53 pm
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| The 7-string versions (and 8-string versions) sound just like the 6-string versions from the same year. National stopped making 7- and 8-string New Yorkers by the end of WWII, so the later pickups aren't available with more than 6 strings. And yes, 99% have a 23" scale; some of the earliest had 25" as an option, but they're quite rare. With old New Yorkers, there isn't a significant price premium for extra strings the way there is for pre-War Ricks. I think your budget will do fine; you just have to find a 7-string. |
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John Rosett
From:
Missoula, MT
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Posted 12 Dec 2022 9:08 pm
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Gibson also made 7 string steels before WWII.
_________________
"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters |
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Tony Oresteen
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 5:12 pm
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John,
I've looked at some Gibsons and they are way above my budget. I guess when it says "Gibson" on it $$$ come to mind.
Thanks!
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA
Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black
PedalMaster D8 |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 6:18 pm
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| John Rosett wrote: |
| Gibson also made 7 string steels before WWII. |
Gibson also made 7-string Ultratones post-WW II. Not particularly common, but they're out there in both the first (white) and second (blonde) versions. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 6:31 pm
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| Tony Oresteen wrote: |
| I've looked at some Gibsons and they are way above my budget. I guess when it says "Gibson" on it $$$ come to mind. |
If you're handy with tools, have some space to work, and are looking for a (winter) project, it's not too difficult to make one from a donor body. Here's an Ultratone I converted a couple years ago:
(before)
(after)
It's not gonna win any beauty contests, but it plays nice and sounds awesome. 7-strings are just the ticket for A6 tuning, in my opinion. |
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John Rosett
From:
Missoula, MT
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 9:29 pm
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| Jack Hanson wrote: |
| John Rosett wrote: |
| Gibson also made 7 string steels before WWII. |
Gibson also made 7-string Ultratones post-WW II. Not particularly common, but they're out there in both the first (white) and second (blonde) versions. |
Right! I forgot about those. I've also seen some other old 7 strings. Audiovox and Gretsch come to mind.
_________________
"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters |
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Tony Oresteen
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2022 3:09 pm
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| Jack Hanson wrote: |
| Tony Oresteen wrote: |
| I've looked at some Gibsons and they are way above my budget. I guess when it says "Gibson" on it $$$ come to mind. |
If you're handy with tools, have some space to work, and are looking for a (winter) project, it's not too difficult to make one from a donor body. Here's an Ultratone I converted a couple years ago:
(before)
(after)
It's not gonna win any beauty contests, but it plays nice and sounds awesome. 7-strings are just the ticket for A6 tuning, in my opinion. |
I can't handle any more projects  . I have 4 Stringmaster and 6 "regular" projects as it is.
Nice job on that restoration!
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA
Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black
PedalMaster D8 |
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Les Ford
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 28 Dec 2022 5:09 pm National New Yorker 7 String
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They definitely made them:
 [/img] |
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Tony Oresteen
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2023 10:04 am
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I decided to have Chris at Industrial Lap steel Guitars make a 7 string for me. It is close to being done. 22.5" scale, Jerry Sentell pickup
While I would love to have a Pre-war National 7 string, taking it out to a gig would have me worrying about it every minute.
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA
Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black
PedalMaster D8 |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 18 Jan 2023 6:38 pm
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| I have a National NYKr 7 string if you're interested...... |
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Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
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Posted 19 Jan 2023 12:17 am
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| Tony Oresteen wrote: |
I decided to have Chris at Industrial Lap steel Guitars make a 7 string for me. It is close to being done. 22.5" scale, Jerry Sentell pickup
While I would love to have a Pre-war National 7 string, taking it out to a gig would have me worrying about it every minute. |
Chris built me a 7 string a few years ago, also a 22.5” scale. It is a fantastic instrument. Mine has a humbucker with a coil tap switch.
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Current Tunings:
6 String | G – D G D G B D
7 String | G9 – D G B D F A D
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database |
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