1939 National Electric Grand Console Double Neck 8 String Vintage Lap Steel

Description

Up for sale, a 1939 National Electric Grand Console dual-neck 8 string steel in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original lacquered tweed hardshell case. This exceedingly rare vintage console steel was National’s top-of-the-line offering in the late '30s, featuring two 8-string necks and “instantaneous ‘touch-tone’” tone knobs for optimal sonic sculpting. One of only a few to ever surface for sale, this steel is identical to the one owned and extensively played by David Gilmour with Pink Floyd, which was auctioned in 2019 for more than ,000.
Each neck has a 23" scale, and the playing surfaces have white parallelogram position markers. An engraved National badge is present between the two necks, and the large "National Console" graphic faces the audience. Both angled headstocks retain their original bone nuts, and the tuners have bright plating, complete with National-engraved covers. On the body perimeter between the two necks, the C-prefix date stamp dates this steel’s production to between 1938-40.
All of the electronics function as intended, with two original Stackpole pots and two replacements; all original Stackpole pots date to 1939, and the two removed pots are present in the case. Three of the original paper-in-oil tone caps are intact, and the third is a vintage replacement, but the rest are original. Each neck has its own dedicated Volume control and a “touch-tone” Tone knob which can select or blend between three unique tones as produced by the “Super-sensitive De Luxe” pickups. Hawaiian is the most balanced of the three, delivering a classic vintage steel tone; Chimes is bright and sweet, with a pristine, sparkling top end; Harp is rich and resonant, with a broad low end and harmonically-rich, boosted mids. Each neck has its own dedicated output via a screw-on cable connector (one modern cable is included)
This console steel is built like a tank, with cosmetic wear limited to a few scuffs on the treble-side edge, one small stable split in the plastic veneer adjacent to the output jacks, and just a handful of microscopic nicks and light scratches on the body as a whole.
The original lacquered tweed hardshell case is included and as well-kept as the steel, retaining its trio of functional latches and original handle. The two removed Stackpole pots are also included, along with a screw-on cable for one of the necks.
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Shipping in the continental USA will be
5, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Express. Two-Day and Overnight shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request.
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