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Topic: National D-8 |
Walter Jones
From:
Athens, Ohio USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 6:23 am |
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Brad or someone help me out on this guitar. I was told it is a 1958 but that's all I know. It is black and white and in mint condition. The fretboards are reverse image black with gold frets and logos standard for National guitars ,also in mint shape. The fretboars are actually clear Lexan ? and the design is on the backside of the fretboard. No cracks or scratches , this guitar shows very little wear. The metal strip between the necks is gold or maybe brass, it has the original knobs. The pots are clean and sounds great. The covers over the pickups are black plastic as well as the covers over the strings and tuning machines. The only problem with the guitar is the legs are missing. The case is red plush inside and only a couple of small rips in the cover on the outside. The latches work and even got the key with it to lock the case.
I haven't seen one finished in this style and am wondering what this model was called or if it had a special name of any kind. I had to replace the buttons on the tuning machines and just wipe it off and that's about it. I don't have any pictures of it yet but if anyone would like to see it maybe I can email some later.
I don't know much about the National guitars. The front neck is raised above the back neck and does make it more comfortable. On my D-6 Supro both necks are on the same level so it feels a little different. The pickups are pretty big and the strings go over slotted screws in the pickups and are adjustable, however it is not the same type as the pickups that have the plate over the strings like some of the 6 string models I have seen. Right now I am using a keyboard stand to set it on, its a little heavy to hold on your lap. Any information on it will be appreciated. |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 8:18 am
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Walter, I'm not a maven but I'll tell you as best I can, and I can certainly stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.
The way you describe it sounds like one that I have. A National Double Console? I believe that it is 1960's vintage. Take a look under the black plastic pick up covers. Are there two pick ups for each neck? If so, then there is also a blend control knob for each set of pick ups.
I would think that this model was to compete or emulate the Stringmaster. They were also made in single and triple neck models. Their sound quality is not as good as the Stringmaster, IMO. This is also somewhat light weight, not the sturdiest guitar. It's a decent steel but not the best. I would give it a grade of -B if I had to fill out a report card.
I'll post some images later as soon as I get released........[This message was edited by HowardR on 09 October 2001 at 09:43 PM.] |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Hill Phillips
From:
Alma Arkansas USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 5:25 pm
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| Mine Looks Identical to that one. [This message was edited by Hill Phillips on 09 October 2001 at 06:27 PM.] |
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Walter Jones
From:
Athens, Ohio USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 7:34 pm
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Brad, that's it. Not sure if the one pictured has the fretboards and metal strip between the necks but if they are gold its the same. Mine has a cover over the tuning machines on the side with the National logo on the end and only the buttons and shaft are visible. The pickups are one large piece with the pole pieces going across the pickup diagonally from the fisrt string to the eight string. The bass string pole piece is probably at least an inch ahead of the first string. It does have a tone switch that is a very short rotation, it could double for a doo-waa tone switch if the knob was a little higher and easier to get to.
Thanks Howard ,I don't think I would call this one a lightweight but I have never picked up a Fender so I don't know.
Brad, if you would just send along that set of legs I would be in good shape. Thanks for the info. |
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Walter Jones
From:
Athens, Ohio USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 7:43 pm
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Brad, after looking at the picture some more I realized that mine does not have the knobs behing the tailpiece. Also the neck selector switch is between the tone and volume control. The brackets that hold the plastic cover over the strings are also gold colored. Everything else looks the same, paint and the National logo on the front of the guitar.
Now I have to get busy and make set of legs for it, 4 chrome mike stands and some 5/8 X 13 slugs and I will be in business. |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 8:15 pm
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Here are some views of the Console, or perhaps Grand Console as it was originally named.
The front of this one is the same as Brad's picture.
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 8:17 pm
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Two pick ups per neck with blend control
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 8:19 pm
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 9 Oct 2001 8:26 pm
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Walter, it sounds like yours and mine are different.
In making the legs, what are the slugs used for?
Oh yes, according to Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars, the National D8 Console with the gold control plate and black & white finish was made from 1961 - 1968. Prior to 1961, they were a brown and cream finish.[This message was edited by HowardR on 09 October 2001 at 09:41 PM.] |
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Walter Jones
From:
Athens, Ohio USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2001 10:41 am
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| Howard, looks like we right on with the exception of the pickups. Mine only has single pickups in it but they probably cover about the same area. I saw another guitar on Ebay with the pickups like mine except the pole pieces were straight across instead of diagonal. The slugs (my terminology) are threaded 5/8 X 13 TPI and then pressed into the larger end of the mike stand, just flip it over and it becomes a leg for the guitar. The 5/8 X 13 TPI are what is in the guitar now. I know replacements are available with new castings and different TPI and probably use the legs that are mostly standard on guitars today. I am retired and have access to all the tooling I need to make them so it's a winter project. In the meantime I use the keyboard stand. As I said I was told it was a 58 but looks like it's a 61 or newer. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to help out, this Forum sure is great. |
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Fred Layman
From:
Springfield, Missouri USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2001 6:32 pm
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| Walt, I had one identical to yours -- my second steel guitar. It was white with black trim. I bought it used in 1961/2. I presently have an identical triple-neck model that I am rehabbing. |
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Paul Graupp
From:
Macon Ga USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2001 1:09 pm
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You guys are making me homesick !! Check my post over in Steel Players Titled Bob White and you'll see why.....
Regards, Paul[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 11 October 2001 at 03:49 PM.] |
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Paul Graupp
From:
Macon Ga USA
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Posted 14 Oct 2001 7:23 am
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Brad, Thanks for the assist there and I promise next time I'll try it myself. I was afraid I'd get it wrong and mess up the page.
Regards, Paul |
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Walter Jones
From:
Athens, Ohio USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2002 6:27 pm
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| For Brad, Howard and Fred and all that helped on this project a litle more information on this guitar. If you go to E-bay Item # 1404320368 you will see the pickups that I tried to describe during this thread. The diagional spaceing like this one is the only one I have seen. Maybe they were trying to capture the slanted pickup without redesigning a whole new pickup. Anyway I just ran across this one and wanted to pass it along to those that helped. I keep it set up in my radio room and play around with it trying to make some music. Greg played it when he was home at Christmas and said it sounded good to him. It was fun and thanks to everyone. |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 9 Jan 2002 4:29 am
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Interesting... Dick Sanft just bought one of these a couple of months ago. Like this one on Ebay, his also has the one large, square pickup for each neck, with the diagonal pole pieces.
He and I just recorded several tunes for a demo with him playing it. Sounds great! If I can ever get the dang things mixed, and figure out a way to post them somewhere to where y'all can hear 'em, I will.
TJW |
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