National Silvo and amp

Michael Hogan · Post by **Michael Hogan** » 10 Sep 2011 12:09 pm

After many years of collecting and searching I found a National Silvo and amp set about a year ago. I hope you enjoy these pics.

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 10 Sep 2011 12:57 pm

What an incredible score!

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 10 Sep 2011 1:21 pm

I didn't even know such an instrument existed. That's really beautiful.

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 10 Sep 2011 2:34 pm

what do you think it's worth? I have the same guitar but without the amp.

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 10 Sep 2011 3:29 pm

Here's mine.

Michael Hogan · Post by **Michael Hogan** » 10 Sep 2011 3:37 pm

Dave, I think Richard Shatz would be the best person to seek values from. I think most lap steels that I have seen in excellent to mint condition are generally not appreciated and undervalued. Since the GFC it has been a buyers market with plenty of people selling off their collectables in a period when there are few cashed up buyers. Here is a link to one that was sold in 2007 http://www.guitar-museum.com/guitar-180 ... ian-Guitar

Michael Hogan · Post by **Michael Hogan** » 10 Sep 2011 3:40 pm

Richard, I would like to see more of your collection here and I think many other forum members would. regards, Mick

Rick Batey · Post by **Rick Batey** » 10 Sep 2011 4:12 pm

Stunning to see such a precise point of mechanical>electric amplification. And so beautiful!

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 11 Sep 2011 12:35 pm

Michael,
Thanks for the compliments, but as you know, the value of anything is only as much as someone is willing to pay. There are less than 20 of these instruments known to exist, which makes it about as scarce as any other vintage lap steel.
I know of one Silvo lap steel that sold for $3500 just prior to the GFC.
There is a very good Silvo discussion on the Notecannons Forum, by Mark Makin, who coauthored the book on Nationals with Bob Brozman.
I don't have a very extensive collection of National-Dobro/Valco lap steels and amps. The best photos of most of my collection can be viewed here:
http://valcopages.com/Guitars.html

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 15 Oct 2011 10:31 am

Here's a link to the excellent discussion of the National Silvo. I found it quite informative and was surprised to find out how few were made.

http://michaelmesser.proboards.com/inde ... thread=663

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 16 Oct 2011 9:35 am

There's an article about these guitars in the most recent issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine

John Dahms · Post by **John Dahms** » 16 Oct 2011 9:49 am

I have seen 4 of these over the years and "almost" bought one several times. I have not because as great as they look, they just don't do anything well. Unplugged they are disappointing and plugged in they are uninspiring.
As the old hot rod saying goes- "All show and no go."

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 16 Oct 2011 3:11 pm

I used to use mine as a dobro thru a Fender Vibrosonic Reverb (my steel amp at the time) and found it was very satisfactory.

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 21 Oct 2011 12:28 pm

Cartwright Thompson wrote:There's an article about these guitars in the most recent issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine

November?

Michael Hogan · Post by **Michael Hogan** » 26 Oct 2011 2:49 am

Richard ther is a 2 page spread on the Silvo in December's Vintage Guitar Magazine

The Steel Guitar Forum

National Silvo and amp

National Silvo and amp

Silvo

What it's worth?

More pics Richard

Silvo

VIntage Guitar Mag