Call for knowledge and advice: '36 Slingerland Songster 401

[Gavin McNett]

So I saw a Slingerland Songster 401 for sale a couple of weeks ago, and after a lot of research I decided I loved everything about that guitar and might never find one again, so I bought it. The price was bracing but manageable. It's currently in transit via Fed Ex.

I'll send pix and sound clips.

I know some of you guys have Songster 400 lap steels and/or Slingerland's May Bell version of the 400. Noah Miller and Peter Huggins both have 401s, and as far as anyone can tell they're the only guys who have one -- one other example is at the Smithsonian.

So this makes four of them. Mine is Serial #133.

You guys know these Slingerland electrics better than anybody! How many of these 400-series Songsters are there? Where did that magnificent pickup come from? What's the deal with the May Bell lap steels with the Regal pickup?

New data: There was a May Bell version of the 401, and this is certainly one of them:

http://www.slingerlandguitar.com/MayBel ... eel-01.htm

Glad to meet you, btw. I'm Gavin.

[Noah Miller]

You guys know these Slingerland electrics better than anybody! How many of these 400-series Songsters are there? Where did that magnificent pickup come from? What's the deal with the May Bell lap steels with the Regal pickup?

All the serials I've seen for Slingerland electric instruments of every kind were between 100 and 200; there were probably a couple dozen built of each model, at the most. If any actual production records survive, they're probably owned by Gibson (who now owns the Slingerland name).

The pickup used in the 400 and 401 was unique to Slingerland; I don't know if they designed it in-house, but I've never seen anything close to it on another brand. The use of a single horseshoe pickup to create a humbucker was pioneered by a few other manufacturers first, but the coil and bobbin arrangement is completely unlike any other pickup I've come across.

The "Regal" pickup in the May Bell lap steels was probably purchased from elsewhere as a cheaper alternative to the more complex 6-coil unit used in the 400 and 401. As with banjos, guitars, etc., the May Bell-branded steels were intended to be a cheaper alternative to the Slingerland-branded instruments. Note that the May Bells lack a top and back veneer as well as binding.

[Lynn Wheelwright]

My 401 is Sn. 141, my 400 is 147. I also have both models of the Maybell the EH and ES. I think the Maybell's with the regal pickups are easier to find.

know of at least 2 others. One in EMP Seattle one in a collection in New Jersey.

I think what you paid was a great deal considering what they are as well as hard to find. I called to buy it the day after you got it.

[Peter Huggins]

I wrote out a long reply earlier today on my tablet, but it went away before I could post it. The restoration of my 401 was recently completed, after a couple of years. I still owe some money on it. I was hoping to have it paid off in time to take it to the upcoming Dallas guitar festival and display it there, but that's looking unlikely now. I already have people offering to buy it but I want to keep and play it for a while.

I don't remember the serial numbers, I'll have to post them later. No idea how many were made or exist. I sold a May Bell Hawaiian on eBay awhile back, the buyer turned out to be John Teagle, author of books on Fender and other guitars. In following emails we discovered we both had model 401s. He is aware of a couple others somewhere out there. A couple shows back I was talking to Tim Kummer who said he had sold one for $10,000 some years back. Wow, seems a little high to me. I know my restored example can't be worth nearly that much. Gruhn has or had at least one. It was pictured in one of the guitar magazines. I remember it had the Regal pickup as seen on the May Bells. The Slingerland pickup is very strong and sounds amazing.

When I get my 401 back (soon! I promise) I'll post more pictures etc.

Sorry I haven't been around more lately. I moved and don't have internet access or wifi yet. That and working night shift has dampened the frequency of viewing posts here. Hoping to rectify this situation soon. Still working on the Volu-Tone history, any info or promotional literature that turns up would be very appreciated. Just got a Rickenbacher B6 back in running order, and working on a deal to get my Spanish neck Bakelite back. All things in good time… Keep picking my friends !

[Gavin McNett]

I got the squirrels out of the electronics and put on a fresh set of strings.

Ever wonder what a Slingerland 401 sounds like cranked? I did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5XMt3IWN6I