National Belaire 1958 Switchmaster Gibson 175 Body Bel Air w HSC

***UPDATE on the listing*** The case that comes with this guitar is NOT a Lifton as previously stated, it is a modern Canadian case that is a perfect tight fit `in overall great shape and all latches work with a key included. There is also the original pick guard and hardware for it although the namesake has mostly worn away. Two of the pick up rings are replacements but the originals are included.

Here is a 1958 National Belaire in excellent condition, I believe it to be 100% original except for a small but fantastic modification that I did to it (read the next paragraph for details). This was the first year production for this top-tier model. The Belaire was produced by the Valco company in Chicago for their top brand "National." Valco was known for outsourcing their guitar bodies, and this Belaire features a complete ES-175 body provided by Gibson! This model combines the best that National and Gibson had to offer in the golden age of guitar manufacturing, and the Belaire features a trio of pickups, each outfitted with its own Volume and Tone knobs along with a Master volume for easy control and an incredible array of sounds.

Although this very much looks and feels like the Gibson ES5 switchmaster with a smaller body, it is different in another way; the toggle is 3 way and not 4 way. This means you can play though each pick up individually but not blend them together like on a switchmaster. Here is where I had a simple modification to it. I wanted the blend option of each pick up to my liking, so I had my Luthier essentially bypass the toggle and this way all of the pick ups can be blended the same ways that the ES5 could. The toggle switch is now the same on all 3 positions (that is all three pickups.) Now, you can blend each pick up however little or more you like with the volume and tone knobs. Think of this as a knobmaster modification. The wiring is an easy fix to return it to its original state if you prefer.

The guitar holds its own acoustically with a great midrange-forward bark, and each pickup delivers a unique, usable voicing that lends itself to a variety of musical styles. The neck pickup has a chewy midrange and thickness while still having enough bite to remain clear, and the middle pickup is the smoothest sounding of the three, balancing well with the adjacent pickups. The bridge pickup has a snappy twang and a bit of upper midrange honk, cutting through well while having plenty of body, a growly attack, and an overall breadth few single coils can match. These pickups all benefit from Valco's unique design with one large ceramic magnet adjacent to the coil, and there's both a distinctive bell-like top and attack to the sound. The fully hollow Gibson ES-175 body has a 16" lower bout and all maple construction which further enhances everything we love about these Valco pickups. The guitar weighs in at only 7lbs 10oz. The neck is straight and has comfortable action.

The one-piece mahogany neck has a hint of a soft V shape at the nut, filling out to a chunky C further up the board and boasting a bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard. The inlays are pearl blocks inset with abalone diamonds and the guitar retains its original slender fretwire. These frets show moderate, uniform wear on frets 1-5, with fainter wear on frets 6-7 and virtually no wear further up the board which features 20 frets total, all easily accessible given the generous Florentine cutaway. The guitar plays cleanly up the neck with no buzzing or dead spots, with a 24 3/4" scale that will feel comfortable and intuitive to any Gibson player. The original carved bone nut measures just a hair over 1 9/16" in width. On the headstock, the guitar retains the original raised "National" logo as well as stock patent pending Grover gold Rotomatic tuning machines that turn very smoothly.

All of the electronics are stock, and the guitar features a well organized array of knobs, with three tone knobs on the bass side upper bout of the body, three-way pickup selector on the treble side cutaway, three volume knobs on the treble side lower bout, and a master volume adjacent to those just south of the pickguard. All of the original hardware is present including the carved rosewood "lightning bolt" bridge, stamped metal tailpiece, knobs, and raised "Belaire" pickguard. Visible through the treble side F hole, the original Gibson factory order number is clearly stamped into the body with a "T" prefix, dating it to 1958 and matching with the (coincidentally) also "T" prefixed serial number on the back of the headstock.

The guitar has an original nitro lacquer three-tone sunburst finish that is bold and rich with a warm amber center, prominent ring of deep red, and a saturated black at the edges of the body. The mahogany neck has a burst on it too, although much of the finish has been worn down to the bare wood over the decades. There's some expected prominent lacquer checking on the body and patina on the gold hardware, as well as a couple targeted spots of wear on the back that exhibit some light scratches (central to the back and also near the treble side lower bout edge). There is also a bit of light wear in the pick path through the white silkscreen graphics on the pickguard.

Overall, this is a particularly well preserved and soulful vintage National from the height of their guitar production. Made only from 1958-1961, this iteration of the Belaire is an archtop made to compete with the best on the market, most notably Gibson who provided the ES-175 body for this model!

A Canadian made hardshell case is included, this case is the exact style that fits late-50s Nationals. All latches working and comes with key. There is also the original pick guard and hardware for it although the namesake has mostly worn away. Two of the pick up rings have been replaced but the originals are included.

Shipping in the lower 48 USA is free and included.

Worldwide shipping (anywhere other than the lower 48 states USA) is $300 or less depending on your location. THIS PRICE WILL MOST LIKEY BE MUCH LOWER DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE. Overseas buyers just need to pay the $300 up front upon purchase and I will refund you any difference after your item ships. I will only charge you actual shipping charges and not for packing, handling, or boxes. I do this with everyone so you do not need to request it. I will also include an amount that I would have spent on domestic shipping as a credit as well. So, shipping rebate will be; difference in the Shipping rate PLUS a credit. I will provide a shipping receipt upon request.