National Grand Console double-neck 8 string - sound quality?

[Alejandro Slinin]

Just saw one of these available close to my area a few hours away. It looks in good condition. Before I make the drive, how do these sound? I have heard New Yorkers online and those seem to sound great.

Does this double-neck 8 string sound comparable to the New Yorker? And what's a reasonable price range? I'm thinking around $500 would be reasonable for something like this.

[Blake Hawkins]

Ivan Reddington brought his National Console Grande
to the Manasota Steel Guitar Club jam this month.
A very fine sounding steel guitar. A strong, balanced tone, beautiful guitar.

[George Keoki Lake]

"Sound" is a very personal subject...a guitar that sounds great to one person may not sound all that great to another. Suffice to say, I have a mint D-8 NATIONAL, (paid almost double the price you quoted), and to these olde ears, it sounds great!

[Clyde Mattocks]

I have a couple of National consoles and a New Yorker. IMO the consoles don't sound as good as the New Yorker, but are still very good. 500.00 seems very reasonable for a double. I gave 375.00 for mine over 20 years ago.

[D Schubert]

I have been playing a similar Valco (English Electronics) doubleneck for the last couple of years, made by the same folks. It does not sound like a New Yorker to me, but a little bit cleaner and brighter. Not as bright as a Fender. If it is in good condition with legs, I suspect that the asking price will be higher than $500.

[Neil Cameron]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns7dOHXVsnE

edited to add : This is Kevin Brown playing a
T8 National at TSGA non-pedal session in 2009.

Other tracks called Kevin Brown #1
and Kevin Brown #2 on You Tube channel rickalexander47.

Do the D8's sound like this T8 or different please?

further edit to put insert live link

[Don McGregor]

I've got a mid 60's Double Grande, which has two pickups and a blend knob on each neck, and it sounds fantastic. I only have a mid fifties Carvin D8 to compare it to, but it beats that all to heck for tone. I've never had the chance to A-B it with a Fender, or anything else. I live in a cave, and my Wife just throws food in here at night.

[Aled Rhys Jones]

I have one and I really like the sound. There are three settings - brilliant, mellow and bass - brilliant and mellow are the most useful for me. It's hard to characterize the sound, but it's definitely distinct from a Stringmaster. Freddie Roulette has one - he plays an 8 string Dynamic-looking model on youtube videos, but the sound is somewhat similar IMO. Check the instrument out if you can.

[Andy Henriksen]

I might have the opportunity to acquire a National Grand Console D8 here shortly.

currently I have a Guyatone D8 that I quite like.

Any speculation on which one I might like better? What the difference in tone, etc. might be? Unfornately, this might be one of those "you can only keep one" scenarios. Which do you think is the "better" guitar? I know - I'll have to play and see, but I was curious what some of the more seasoned experienced guys might have to say about the two.

[Brad Bechtel]

Any speculation on which one I might like better? What the difference in tone, etc. might be? ... Which do you think is the "better" guitar?

Without seeing or hearing either guitar, I would say the National. After you play it, you should be able to answer these questions yourself.

[Andy Henriksen]

Yeah, I know it's a silly question...but before I drop a few hundy on a guitar it's nice to get some reinforcement/confirmation from folks who know stuff.

Plus, if I get to demo this guitar at all before buying, it'll be in an unfamiliar room, with a different amp, etc. - sometimes its hard to judge based on a quick demo session.

Thanks!

[Dennis Smith]

Is this the same model as the one you are going to look at? If so $675. up depending on condition if it has legs, case. That's the lowest price I seen on one for sale not auction in the last 6 months. $500. would be a good deal if it's not beat.
Dennis
http://youtu.be/_2cF3xEi4cc

[Andy Henriksen]

cool. Thanks for the input, Dennis! I think that's the same model, or at least very similar. The one I'm peeping has been refinished, so it's a bit different looking, and presumably not worth as much as a result of it. Your pricing info helps quite a bit, though.

[David Mason]

The best sounding one is usually the one you don't have yet. But there's a trick to it - it often sounds that way because it's played by someone better than you.

Cruel, cruel world.

[Andy Henriksen]

Well gents, I went and checked it out, and deemed it a good deal...then got cold feet!

Despite David's comment, part of my decision not to buy was that I felt a little guilty because I thought it wouldn't be fair to my other D8 to bring a new guitar into the family. And I really truly love the Guyatone.

So...if anyone's interested, here's the link: http://annarbor.craigslist.org/msg/3680650796.html

$400, with 4 legs, a pretty good case, and everything in working order. The finish is pretty old and beat up looking - there was apparently some sort of bender device installed at some point behind the bridge of the front neck - that hold has been filled with a block of wood painted to mostly match the rest of the guitar. I'm not sure if it's original finish (otherwise) or not. It was "relicked" enough to look original.

The guy selling was super cool and basically said Elderly offered him $400 in trade-in value so he figured he'd just sell it to someone for the same, and cut out the Elderly middle man.

I'm sure someday I'll regret passing on it, but for now I'm comfortable with the decision. Grab it up, someone!

[Robert Burgess]

How can you have too many steels ? I just bought one of these and am champing for it to arrive, it's a 1950 with the raised front neck and my logic is they ain't makin'em any more so it will be a banker, plus it looks gorgeous. You will regret not adding the lady to your stable. Ask any sheik' when you got lots of choice it stops you getting bored and they try harder to please when you play em' (oops getting a bit of topic)