D.L. ( (Don from National) Young built lap steel questions

[Ivan Goldstein]

Hi I just got this from someone who got it at an estate sale in Laguna Beach. Can anyone approximately date it or maybe you knew the original owner? Any other thoughts?
Thanks! Ivan

[Mark Helm]

Well, as you probably already know, it was purchased off Reverb from a shop in Laguna Beach, CA for $400 + shipping.

https://reverb.com/item/6616912-d-l-young-lap-slide

My guess would be that this is not any mass-produced or even boutique brand, but a one-off someone (Don from National?) made. And, if I'm correct, they were rather talented. From what I can see of the case, that might be home-made, too. Can you send more pics that aren't from that Reverb sale?

[Ivan Goldstein]

It was me who just bought it. Don was a highly respected and really well loved entrepreneur, luthier, and musician who worked for the Dopeyera brothers and eventually bought the National guitar patents and rebirthed the line putting out a variety of very high quality instruments.
He passed away l
In 2016. Here he is: https://youtu.be/2FjdL-AsBg4

[Former Member]

What a nice clip! Thank you!
I met Don at NRP and came back when I could just for the positive hard working ambiance he created. If it wasn't for Don getting personally involved, I never would have got my lefty hollowneck. He was something very special and I'm glad I knew him.

[Jim Sliff]

Check the dates on the pots and you may be able to get a "not older than" year at least - i.e. pots dated 2005 would indicate it was built on 2005 or later.

You may also find a penciled date under the control plate or bridge. He did that on most of the ones I've seen.