National VAL PRO "85" 1961 White. RES-O-GLAS. Extremely Rare. Great Condition. Tone

NATIONAL

VAL-PRO BASS “85”

1961

“SUPER COOL THUMPER”

[Amp shown in photos for display only.  It is not for sale.  Thanks.]

 

My first guitar came in the mail to me from Sears and Roebuck in 1966 when I was 16.  It was a Silvertone “dolphin nose” bass.  I bought it because it had 4 strings and I figured it would have been easier to learn to play.  It was not.  What I needed was some sort of directional plan like a….

“MAP”

And now I have one (in fact several).

From my collection:

1961 NATIONAL VAL-PRO BASS “85”

The coolest bass anywhere.  RES-O-GLAS (Fiberglass body) with double pickups:  (1) BASS SOUND and (1) SILVER SOUND. Real Brazilian Rosewood fretboard with PEARL inlays. 

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.  Just use the “MAP” when playing.

NOTE:  “The ‘map-shaped’ bass in the National Res-O-Glas collection-so named because it looks vaguely like a silhouette of the U.S.- started out as the Val-Pro 85. It differed slightly from the National 85 that replaced it in several cosmetic areas; the Val-Pro had rounded cutaways, the backward flair of the pointed cutaway horns on the National gave its upper bout a slightly smaller look; the two knobs on the Val-Pro lined up at an angle to the strings -instead of parallel; and some -if not most- of the tuners on the earlier looked like a curved blade, versus the more normal-looking tuners on our specimen.” From online sources.

SPECIFICATIONS:

SCALE:  24 ¼”

BODY:  16” Wide, 19” Long, 1 ¾” Deep

BODY is “RES-O-GLAS” Fiberglass molded into two pieces (front/back).

NECK is wood “Pro True”

FRETBOARD is Brazilian Rosewood.

INLAYS are Pearl.

TWO PICKUPS (one in neck position and other in bridge)

Chrome hardware.

MASTER Volume Control.

“SPECIAL distortion free tone mixer control”.

Does not include original case.

CONDITION:

1. Body/Neck.  The body is in GOOD condition.  As with most of the fiberglass bodies of this ere, it has small surface cracks around the smaller extrusion points, e.g. input jack.  The white finish has aged to a beautiful “cream” patina while the headstock front has remained white.   Also there are several finish spots showing brown where the finish has absorbed stains of use over its life.  This is a player guitar.

2. Hardware.  The tuning keys are in excellent condition.  Not much sign of corrosion.  Tailpiece and chrome neck pickup are in excellent condition as well but the black painting normally seen on these parts has been “cleaned away”.

3. Electronics.  All electronics have been checked and are in GOOD condition.  Everything works.

Please remember to read our policies and procedures listed below.

The guarantee.

1. The guitar is in GOOD cosmetic condition and is as described in this ad. 

2. The guitar is in fully operational condition.

3. Buyer has 48 hrs. to inspect the guitar or have it inspected.  Any defects, damage, misrepresentations or other problems must be reported within that time period in writing to the Seller.

4.In the case of damage during shipment, Buyer shall immediately inform seller of such damage and will maintain all original packing materials and box for inspection by the transportation company.

5. If other problems are discovered, Seller will either arrange for repair etc. at a location near the Buyer or request that the Buyer return the guitar to the Seller (Seller will reimburse Buyer for cost of shipment of guitar back to Seller).

6. Seller will correct indicated problems and ship the guitar back to the Buyer within 7 days of receiving it.

7. In the event that the guitar cannot be repaired or replaced with a similar item from Seller’s inventory, the Seller will give the Buyer the option of a Credit against current or future inventory of Seller or refund. 

For buyers outside the continental USA, please ask for shipping quote before buying this item.  Thank you.