Vintage National Grand Console Model 1050 Double Eight Lap Steel Electric Guitar

Hey there! This is an awesome find, the National Grand Console Model 1050 Double Eight Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1949), made in Chicago, serial # V15570, with a two tone lacquer finish, maple bodies, original brown hard shell case. This very stylish jet-age lap steel (which requires a large lap!) is an interesting product of the often colorful just-postwar era at Valco.

It is a double eight string variant of the classic period National Dynamic, striking to look at but great sounding as well. The twin sculpted wooden body and neck units are finished in an early space-age two-tone metallic green metallic/cream lacquer combo. They are fitted with colorful back-painted Lucite fingerboards marking the positions with differently colored geometric shapes.

A decorated metal control panel is situated between the two. The pickups are the standard Valco unit mounted under clear plastic handrests.The headstocks are covered by cream plastic plates (no unsightly string ends!) while the 4-on-a-side Kluson tuners are sheathed in National-branded oblong stamped metal covers. The tone and volume knobs are mounted in the center with descriptive terms instead of numbers ("Mellow; Brilliant") and a 3-way lever switch between them for neck selection.

This rather hefty lap steel National was offered in the late '40s/early '50s period without any legs, but those were soon added as a catalog option making for a more generally practical instrument. Still this sleek double-bank lap behemoth is a super cool steel, if you have the knees for it!

The Lap Steel is in good overall condition for its age, it's fully functional but does have some wear from over the years. The case is worn as well, the handle is hanging off, but the case is intact.

Nut Width: 2.24"

Don't miss out on this cool find, thanks for looking!