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About This Listing

At top 40 guitars, our customers satisfaction is our first concern. All of our items have a 14 day return policy. If after 14 days you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, please return it for a full refund....Peace be with you...


*all returned items must be in the same condition they were at the time of sale. All original packing must be included.


Up for Sale is a

Vintage 1980's Smith Melobar Powerslide 88 10-String Lap Steel Slide Guitar!


VERY RARE! Explorer Type Body Shape!


This is really Cool. You are looking at a  Vintage 1980's Smith Melobar Powerslide 88 10-String Lap Steel Slide Guitar. The Melobar Guitar was invented by Walt Smith. Patented in the late 1960s it was a combination of a steel guitar and a standard guitar using a standard guitar body and twisting the neck of the guitar up at a 45 degree angle so a player could play over the top of the neck in the traditional steel guitar method. Walt Smith patented a foam body that bolted to the Melobar neck. So a player can stand up and play a Lap Steel Guitar.


Moseley Melobars were made for Walt Smith in the Mosrite factory. Walt collaborated with many outstanding innovators in the guitar world from the Dopyera Brothers to Ned Steinberger and Semi Moseley. Back in 1967 Walt Smith of California went to work alongside Ed and Rudy Dopyera learning to make Dobro guitars. Later he took a job working with Semie Moseley assisting him in building . Interestingly, Walt Smith was encouraged in his effort by his friend Leo Fender! He then returned to his hometown and started building his own brand of unique steel guitars. He named them Melobar guitars. The design is basically the same on all standing up lap-steel models he made, except this is also a guitar. It featured a Telecaster neck on top and A 45 degree angled 6 string lap steel on the bottom. It's is comfortable to play, it's lighter then most Les Pauls. David Lindley and many others swear by this design. Melobars are widely appreciated by Lap-steel players and are considered a rarity. Excellent condition with minimal wear, comes with its custom soft case and dunlop 921 slide. This truly is the "Running On Empty" sound - the thing is an absolute joy. With the early Bill Lawrence pickup.


The Powerslide series 1981 - 1989

The Powerslide series had a chrome bridge saddle, chrome plate, plain fretboard, older era Grover Keys and the very obvious Lawrence L-705, L-605 10 string pickups. Built in 1981 and released at the NAMM show these were very expensive guitars for the times and not many were sold. There are probably less than twenty Powerslide guitars. 

Very Rare Collector Grade Melobar. The former owner was a collector. Very little (If Any) playing time on the Powerslide 88. This Guitar is a blast to play and sounds great!

Complete Package with Original Gig Bag!

Affordable USA Vintage that is Historic! Only 20 of these were ever built!

Our luthier did a complete setup. Brand new strings were installed. Gig ready on Arrival!

Complete Package with Original Gig Bag Included!Due to CITES Treaty for Endangered Wood (Mahogany, Rosewood) We no longer ship out of the USA.


Cosmetics: Excellent Condition. 

  • Top 40 Guitars is a Veteran Owned Business.
  • Thanks For Supporting Veterans!


Listeda year ago
Condition
Brand
Model
  • Smith Melobar Powerslide 88 10-String Lap Steel Slide Guitar
Finish
  • Natural Finish
Categories
Year
  • 1980's
Made In
  • United States
Right / Left Handed
  • Right Handed

About the Seller

Top 40 Guitars

Santee, CA, United States
(4,540)
Joined Reverb:2014
Items Sold:7,490

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