How many Supro lapsteels are out there?

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 28 Feb 2011 4:07 am

Just wondering how many Supros are out there and are they still being used? I got mine a few months back for a very good price. I'm told it's a 1960 Console eight. It's also in totally mint condition. I had to buy the legs which actually cost me more than the guitar did. I have it tuned to B6th which is low to high E G# B D# F# G# B D#. Here's a shot at a Hawaiian gig we did at a local restaurant. The "Thunderbird" logo on the front of the guitar was added by the previous owner......JH in Va.

Charlie Vegas · Post by **Charlie Vegas** » 28 Feb 2011 4:51 am

You have an 8-string Airline/Jet Airliner. The 8-strings are a little less common, but they made a lot of 6-strings. I've got four in various condidtion.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 28 Feb 2011 11:05 am

I have a 8 string airliner I use on David Churchs shows, sometimes I dont take it out and use the back neck of my emmons but you can not and will not get the tone from that emmons that the supro has for the Hank Stuff, I have also found that I have to remove the pick up cover in order to block the string when you play high up on the neck

D Schubert · Post by **D Schubert** » 28 Feb 2011 11:15 am

Jerry, I've got a matching 6-string and 8-string that look like yours. By adjusting the leg height I can make 'em look like a terraced double-neck. I like the thick sound that they put out.

When I got the 6-string, it had one of those old Rowe tailpieces that give you three tunings (E, A, C#m7), which I eventually removed because it was not consistent.

Peter Jacobs · Post by **Peter Jacobs** » 28 Feb 2011 4:44 pm

Jerry - I have the matching 6 string. What a great sound and lots of volume. Love the way it looks, too.

David Soreff · Post by **David Soreff** » 28 Feb 2011 7:23 pm

I've got both a Comet and a Jet Airliner 8...I love them both to death. I know it will raise the ire of many around here, but I prefer the sound of my Comet to my Rick Electro...just my $0.02. I got them both for a steal, and play them both almost every day.

George Rozak · Post by **George Rozak** » 28 Feb 2011 8:50 pm

I've got one exactly like yours Jerry - 1960 8-string Supro...

And Joseph... I also have to remove the pick-up cover in order to properly block in the upper register.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 1 Mar 2011 11:26 am

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Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 3 Mar 2011 8:55 am

Hi,

I'd say there are about 7 gazillion Supro/National/Valcos out there, in round figures.

The ones with the 3-plus-3 staggered pole pickup are great players and very affordable. David Soreff, you won't get any grief from me about preferring your Supro over your Ric. The tone of a good Supro is just fine and they are a whole lot easier to live with than Bakelite.

Supros have a reputation for being a good choice for overdriving an amp, but I play clean and my 1959 Comet serves me well. The only beef I have is that the tone control (mounted near the bass side of the pickup) got in the way of my picking/blocking hand. But the cure was simple: remove the pot and knob and plug the hole with a handsome chrome plug available from Lowe's or Home Depot.

Best,

Bob

Roman Sonnleitner · Post by **Roman Sonnleitner** » 3 Mar 2011 5:29 pm

Got a 1952 Supro Supreme - it rarely ever sees any use, it's my backup for my E6 tuned Duesenberg Multibender-equipped homemade 6-stringer - the Supro is quite brash, in-your-face-sounding, and while it looks cool, I prefer the warmer, more lush sounding tones from my other lap steels.
Here's a pic:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e323/ ... 1299202123

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 4 Mar 2011 9:51 am

Charley, mine looks exactly like that Airline Jet Liner except for the pickup cover but it has the Supro headstock logo. I guess Supro must have made those for Montgomery Ward back then. I love this guitar and am going to keep it for a good while as it's easy to gig with. I'm going to have to find a case eventually though to keep it in it's "pristine" condition...........JH in Va.