6-string Gibson holy grail lap steel on Denver Craigslist
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- Jack Hanson
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6-string Gibson holy grail lap steel on Denver Craigslist
For those with deep pockets (not me), this may be of interest. Looks like a really nice one:
https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/193 ... 39015.html
https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/193 ... 39015.html
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FWIW many consider the 1958 Gibson Ultratone to be the "holy grail" of lap steels.
And almost none are played in "stock" condition, since the PAF humbucking pickup is generally removed and installed on a Les Paul or ES-335.
The pickups alone sell for around $4-5,000 individually; $10-12k for a pair!
And almost none are played in "stock" condition, since the PAF humbucking pickup is generally removed and installed on a Les Paul or ES-335.
The pickups alone sell for around $4-5,000 individually; $10-12k for a pair!
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
- Jack Hanson
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Bryan, Admittedly, I have no firsthand knowledge of any of the prewar Gibson lap steels besides a 1943 EH-125 that I purchased as a carcass and am presently in the process of bringing back to life. My opinion is based solely on the posts from Forumite C.E. Jackson, who has one of the premier collections of prewar Gibson steel guitars.Bryan Martin wrote:Jack,
What is your opinion of the 185 in relation to the pre-war EH150 and 100?
Also, I always wanted to know which one of those guys in your forum picture is you.
From the very cold and very snowy, Great White North, Bryan
Perhaps my choice of the words "holy grail" may have been a tad too strong. (Mr. Jackson, feel free to chime in here).
As a Quebecois, you undoubtedly recognize my Avatar photo from the classic sports flick "Slap Shot." The guy in the middle, St. Paul's Dave Hanson, played "Jack Hanson" in the movie.
- Noah Miller
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I've owned an identical EH-185, and I've also owned an earlier EH-150 with a CC pickup.
While the 150 has limited sustain due to its hollow construction, the 185 has much, much better sustain thanks to the Hyblum (metal) core that runs through it. The adjustable pickup is significantly quieter than the CC (though not totally hum-free, since it's still a single-coil) and has more of a rounded sound.
My holy grail steel, at least as far as Gibsons go, would be a 7-string version of that same steel.
While the 150 has limited sustain due to its hollow construction, the 185 has much, much better sustain thanks to the Hyblum (metal) core that runs through it. The adjustable pickup is significantly quieter than the CC (though not totally hum-free, since it's still a single-coil) and has more of a rounded sound.
My holy grail steel, at least as far as Gibsons go, would be a 7-string version of that same steel.
- Jack Hanson
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Jim, I would agree in terms of scarcity, the humbucker-equipped Ultratone may be considered the "holy grail" of 6-string Gibson lap steels. A few years back I was fortunate enough to come across a 1957 body with nut, fretboard, bridge, and backplate intact. Of course its original pickup, pickup ring, knobs, electronics, jackplate, Kluson Deluxes, and Plexiglas headstock and bridge covers, etc. were long gone.Jim Sliff wrote:FWIW many consider the 1958 Gibson Ultratone to be the "holy grail" of lap steels.
And almost none are played in "stock" condition, since the PAF humbucking pickup is generally removed and installed on a Les Paul or ES-335.
The pickups alone sell for around $4-5,000 individually; $10-12k for a pair!
I have since been able to acquire a nice set of original Plexiglas covers, and have replaced the missing electronics and tuners with modern reproduction parts. It's a wonderful instrument, but the narrow string spacing at the bridge, as necessitated by the PAF, is not as comfortable to play (at least for me) as comparable P-90 equipped Ultratones & Centurys.
I love my '57 Ultratone, but if the guy in NW Denver offered to trade his EH-185 even up, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
FWIW many consider the 1958 Gibson Ultratone to be the "holy grail" of lap steels.
I would say that the original Rickenbacher frypan is a much better fit if you want to use the term "Holy Grail." Ultratones are rare but coveted more for their mid-century design than for their sound.
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
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Jack -
I don't quite understand how there can be the "string spacing" problem with any brand of humbucker. The spacing of all Gibson-type humbuckers is roughly 50mm - exactly the same as Gibson's 6-string P90's
The only common variation is "F", or "Fender-spaced" humbuckers - 52-53mm.
Since those would be wider than either a P-90 or Gibson-type humbucker I just can't figure out how you could have installed anything narrower.
I don't quite understand how there can be the "string spacing" problem with any brand of humbucker. The spacing of all Gibson-type humbuckers is roughly 50mm - exactly the same as Gibson's 6-string P90's
The only common variation is "F", or "Fender-spaced" humbuckers - 52-53mm.
Since those would be wider than either a P-90 or Gibson-type humbucker I just can't figure out how you could have installed anything narrower.
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
- Jack Hanson
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Jim, the spacing on Gibson's lap steel P-90s is 58mm. The 8mm difference may seem insignificant, but it's indeed noticable.Jim Sliff wrote:I don't quite understand how there can be the "string spacing" problem with any brand of humbucker. The spacing of all Gibson-type humbuckers is roughly 50mm - exactly the same as Gibson's 6-string P90's.
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In what years?Jim, the spacing on Gibson's lap steel P-90s is 58mm.
The 60's Gibson lap steels I've swapped pickups in had standard string spacing. I've worked on many 50's models but didn't have to change pickups on them.
I never noticed any difference in spacing as small variations like that don't bother me at all from a playing standpoint. I'm curious when they changed them, though. It certainly would not have made much sense for Gibson to spend the money on lap-steel only pickup manufacturing into the 60's.
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
- Jack Hanson
- Posts: 5024
- Joined: 19 Jun 2012 3:42 pm
- Location: San Luis Valley, USA
- Jack Hanson
- Posts: 5024
- Joined: 19 Jun 2012 3:42 pm
- Location: San Luis Valley, USA
The early postwar wide-oval (racetrack) pickups as installed on the 6-string BR-3, BR-4, early black BR-6, black Century, and white Ultratone all have 58mm string spacing.Jim Sliff wrote:In what years?
Same for the post-1951 P-90 pickups as installed on the blue Century, Century Deluxe, and blonde Ultratone.
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One too many
Thats one to many Ron.
I could help you out with that problem!
Best wishes,
Andy
I could help you out with that problem!
Best wishes,
Andy
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
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2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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- Jack Hanson
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- Bill Sinclair
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Hopefully I'm not screwing up one of you who was planning a snipe bid at the last minute but here ya go:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-Gibson-Ul ... 1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-Gibson-Ul ... 1438.l2649
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How much is my grandpa's Gibson Ultratone Lapsteel worth?
Hello everyone. I came across this post while trying to figure out what my grandpa's lapsteel is worth. Someone posted a picture that looks just like his. He recently passed away; none of us are players (unfortunately), and we have to sell it because we need the money to pay off the many medical bills he left behind.
Jack Hanson, Jim Sliff et al, you seem to be experts on this. How much should I be asking for this?
Jack Hanson, Jim Sliff et al, you seem to be experts on this. How much should I be asking for this?