National Grand Console Doubleneck 8 String Lap Steel 1940 w/Tweed Case - Black

This 1940 National doubleneck steel is rare, and it is a beautiful example!

Valco was founded in 1940 by three former owners of the National company — the same people who had built National's reputation for quality electric lap steel instruments through the 1930s, now operating independently under the Valco name and continuing to produce instruments sold as National, Supro, Airline, and Oahu. The Grand Console is among the most visually striking instruments Valco ever produced — an Art Deco aesthetic with two eight-string necks, chrome-covered pickups with great punch, glassy twang, and transparent lucite playing surfaces with Art Deco multi-colored geometric patterns marking the fret positions. This 1940 example is one of the earliest production years for the Grand Console model, manufactured in the first year of Valco's independent operation.

The doubleneck configuration gives the player two complete 8-string necks on a single instrument — each typically tuned to a different chord voicing, most commonly C6 and E9 or variations thereof, allowing the player to switch between complementary tunings mid-song. The clean and sweet tone, with a nice round crisp attack when desired, is characteristic of these instruments — Nationals can do Hawaiian and classic country sounds but also flit easily into jazz and other styles. The two original Valco string-through pickups deliver the balanced, even-tempered response across all eight strings that makes these instruments practical for professional playing rather than merely collectible. 

The National-stamped nickel coverplates are present on both sets of tuners, adding an elegant visual detail overlooked by other lap steel manufacturers — beneath the covers, the original Kluson tuning machines are protected and clean, showing little wear. All four knobs are original. The tone control on the upper neck is non-functional — we tried a different pot and tone caps but could not restore operation. The remaining three controls — volume and tone on the lower neck, volume on the upper neck — work correctly. The output jack is the original stock threaded male phono/Amphenol connector; one adaptor is included. Original Geib hardshell case in very good condition. At 14 lbs 15 oz this is a substantial instrument. 23" scale on both necks, 2-3/8" nut width, lucite fingerboards in excellent condition

Mahar's Vintage Guitars is a brick-and-mortar and web-based retailer. We are happy to talk with you before you make a purchase.   Please reach out if you feel so inclined! We cross market our items here and on our own site, so items are subject to sale elsewhere at any time (however we will never cancel a sale if it happens here first). See our profile here, our Google reviews as well as our 100% positive Reverb feedback. Also, Reverb limits us to only 25 pictures of our items. There is a good chance we have more. Contact us if you’d like to see them.

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SPECS:

• Weight: 14lbs 15oz
• Color: black
• Body Material: hardwood
• Body Condition: excellent
• Body Repairs: none
• Body Binding: none
• Body Finish Original?: yes
• Body Finish Condition: very good
• Lower Bout: 10"
• Upper Bout: 8-3/4"
• Body Depth/Thickness: 1-11/16"
• Overall Length: 32-3/4"
• Scale Length: 23", both necks
• Neck Condition: excellent
• Neck Repairs: none
• Neck Finish Original?: yes
• Neck Markings: none
• Fretboard Material: lucite
• Fretboard Condition: excellent
• Fretboard Repairs: none
• Nut Material: bone, both necks
• Nut Repairs: none
• Nut Width: 2-3/8", each neck
• Bridge Brand: n/a
• Bridge Original?: yes
• String Spacing At Bridge: 2.7735"
• Bridge Condition: excellent
• Tuner Brand And Model: 4-on-a-side Kluson tuners covered by decorative oblong metal plates
• Tuners Original?: yes
• Changes To Headstock For Tuners?: none
• Tuner Condition: excellent
• Tuner Markings: none
• Tuner Screws Original?: yes
• Documentation: none
• Case Brand: Geib
• Case Original?: yes
• Case Condition: very good
• Case Smells?: none
• Pickup Brand: Two original Valco "string-through" 
• Pickup Count: 2
• Pickup Original?: yes
• Pickup Condition: excellent
• Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Pickup Cover Color: black
• Pickup Cavity Condition: n/a
• Knob Color: black and white
• Knob Count: 4
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Knob Condition: excellent
• Control Cavity Cover Material: metal
• Control Cavity Cover Original?: yes
• Control Cavity Condition: excellent
• Potentiometer Count: 4
• Potentiometers Original?: yes
• Potentiometer Condition: 3 in good, working condition. Tone on upper neck does not work.  We tried a different pot and tone caps but couldn't get it working.
• Solders Original?: yes
• Wiring Original?: yes
• Output Jack Original?: Stock threaded male "phono" or Amphenol connector, 1 adaptor included
• Smells?: none
• Accessories Included: output jack adaptor

Shipping policy:

Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to .  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.