Show us your National cast lap steel

[Noah Miller]

The fret markers are there to hide the screws that attach the board to the body. Otherwise I don't think they would have included them at the first fret.

[Ralph Czitrom]

Mystery (to me) solved. Thanks Noah.

[Michael Greer]

The first Cast steel by the National-Dobro company in early 1935 was the Supro model.
As my friend Noah profiled in a separate post this model actually predated the National and Dobro cast models that came later in 1935 and 1936.

The Supro was considered the “budget” model....however I suspect in the middle of the Great Depression only the Financially well off were buying new electric guitars.

It’s certainly is “fry pan” looking...gray paint ....and really has great output




The Three Amigos

[Joe Cook]

Thanks for posting that Supro, Michael. That's really something beautiful!

[Barry Fagan]

I just put this photo on the forum in another thread, but seeing as this one is titled "Show Us Your National Cast Lap Steel" and mine is finally approaching presentable condition, I figured that I would add it to this lovely bunch. Thank you all for the helpful examples - mine was acquired in far-from-original condition.

Barry Fagan

[Barry Fagan]

Finally got 'er done, a mere 10-1/2 years after my first post on the Steel Guitar Forum, and 45 years after I acquired the instrument. I still need to clean the volume pot and install the back plate and the felt, but you can't tell that from the photo. Thank you SGF folks for your help!

Barry Fagan

[Jack Hanson]

Looks great, Barry. Good job!

[Barry Fagan]

Thank you very much, Jack, and thank you for your quick answers to my questions.

I didn't comment on what it sounds like, as I'm not sure what it is SUPPOSED to sound like. I will get a listen to some of the recordings on YouTube.

Off topic question for Jack - Are those the Hanson brothers (from the movie Slap Shot) in your avatar photo?