Lap Steel

❌SOLD❌ Royal Aire by National Solidbody Electric Guitar Sunburst, 1951

On May 11, 2020 /

Here is a rarity – a Royal Aire by National solid body electric guitar, dating to 1951 and one of the earliest production electrics for National and its parent Valco. Clearly a National model given its construction and components, Royal Aire branded instruments are few and far between. Around 1947, Valco contracted with Gibson to produce some Royal Aire flat top acoustics, based on the LG-3. Here, Valco / National used a National neck with its shield logo plate engraved to read Royal Aire.

Vintage

Price: $1,299.99 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌National Model 1008 Console 8 String Steel White, 1961

On April 14, 2020 /

From the early 1930s until the rise of Rock ‘n Roll, steel guitars like this National Model 1008 Console 8 were very popular, and for novice players, often their first instrument. In fact, the very first production electric guitars were Electric Hawaiian steel models, and the first of those was almost certainly the 1932 Ro-Pat-In Steel. Ro-Pat-In quickly improved their name to ‘Rickenbacher’ and soon also introduced the very rare 1935 ‘Ken Roberts’ guitar, arguably the first production Electric Spanish style guitar. Rickenbacker at this time was also building metal parts for both National and DoBro.

Vintage

Price: $650.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ Fender Champ Lap Steel Desert Sand, 1962

On February 24, 2020 /

Built from late 1954 until 1980, the Fender Champ Lap Steel was a popular budget instrument and often sold as a set with the 5-watt Champ tube amplifier. The Champ Lap Steel replaced the Fender Champion steel, with the major differences being the ‘Desert Sand’ or tan finish on the Champ instead of the Pearloid (also known as Mother of Toilet Seat) cover on the Champion, and the simpler shape of the Champ.

Vintage

Price: $650.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ Fender Champ Lap Steel, Desert Sand 1959

On January 24, 2020 /

This Fender Champ Lap Steel, built during 1959 at the Fender plant in Fullerton, California is in very nice, mostly original condition. The Fender Champ Lap Steel was often sold as part of a starter set, with Fender’s smallest amplifier – the 5 watt Champ. That amp itself went on to become very popular in some recording studios. For example, it’s the amp Eric Clapton used for much of the Derek and the Dominos – Layla album.

Vintage

Price: $950.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ National Dynamic Lap Steel Red and White, 1962

On August 16, 2019 /

The National Dynamic Lap Steel was built from 1961 to 1968 for National String Instrument Corporation by Valco in Chicago, Illinois. National at this point had fallen far from its heyday after inventing the Resophonic guitar (plus mandolin and ukulele) to provide more volume to working guitarists. It was founded by guitarist George Beauchamp and luthier John Dopyera in 1927. Dopyera left National to form, with his brothers, the DoBro company in 1928 and produced single cone resonator models. Dopyera purchased a controlling share of National in 1932 and merged National and DoBro production. Many instruments like the National Dynamic lap steel were produced, along with matching amplifiers.

Vintage

Price: $750.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ Duesenberg Pomona 6 Lap Steel with MultiBender

On June 3, 2019 /

Built in Germany to update the concept of the lap steel, the Duesenberg Pomona 6 brings in features otherwise found on pedal steels, in particular a movable capo and the Multi Bender. Built with a slab of Mahogany carrying a pair of humbucking pickups, a sliding capo and a palm-lever operated pitch-raising ‘Multi Bender’ tailpiece based on the old Bigsby Palm Pedal design, the Pomona is a fully professional grade lap steel.

Used

Price: $2,300.00 CAD

This instrument has sold