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Topic: Dating a National New Yorker |
Steven Cearley
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 23 May 2003 6:49 pm |
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I recently purchased a 7 string National New Yorker and was wondering how you date them. The serial number on this one is B2345. I would also like to replace the tuners as they aren't matching at this time. I was told that this one dates back to the mid 1930's. Thanks, STEVE
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 23 May 2003 8:16 pm
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 should I? .....nah.... |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 23 May 2003 9:49 pm
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The B prefix dates it to 1937-38 (for the electric Nationals). Some of those early New Yorkers had 2 concealed pickups. I think they were under the fretboard.
Howard... dont't you dare! Besides, you're still dating your stringmaster 
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My Site - Instruction | Doug's Free Tab | Steels and Accessories
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Steven Cearley
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 24 May 2003 6:36 am
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I must be missing something here. Did I ask a really dumb question?
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 24 May 2003 9:43 am
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Clay Harrell's web site has the list of serial numbers and dates for National/Valco instruments here.
I bet that's a nice sounding guitar. I'd like to have a seven string some day.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 24 May 2003 10:14 am
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Steven:
Congratulations on two accounts:
1) National New Yorkers look as good as they sound ... some might say "even better." (I keep dropping broad hints to my wife, who loves anything Art-Deco, that a New Yorker would make a great gift for both of us.)
2) You have innocently moved into the role of "Straight Man for Howard R." Welcome to the club!
Enjoy the former, if not the latter.
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 24 May 2003 5:58 pm
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| National New Yorker was a great looking and sounding guitar. I had one in about 1937,I trader my Supro 6 string for the 7. I used the same amp I had and it seemed like the New Yorker had about twice the power and a bigger tone....Those were the days....al |
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Steven Cearley
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 24 May 2003 7:36 pm
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Thanks for all the replies. I started out this morning without coffee so it's been off to a bad start. I need to replace the tuning pegs as they are crumbling when turned. Any ideas for replacement tuners? Thanks
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 27 May 2003 10:43 am
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You should consider purchasing replacement tuner buttons rather than the entire tuner assembly, assuming that the tuners continue to function properly.
Stewart-MacDonald and AllParts both sell replacement tuner buttons.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 27 May 2003 11:56 am
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Check this out, Steven----
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Quickies/NewButton/newbutton.html
...and having been helpful entitles me to add....where I've been playing lately, dating a New Yorker entails complimenting her tattoos, for starters, and asking if there are any others not immediately apparent......
.....and congratulations on your cool guitar. |
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 27 May 2003 12:09 pm
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Steven:
Based on my (lack of) success in finding black buttons for an old Regal acoustic lap steel, I sure hope you're talking about replacing white or ivoroid buttons.
However, I notice that Howard's New Yorkers have metal buttons. Different buttons (and/or tuners) during different years, perhaps?[This message was edited by Russ Young on 27 May 2003 at 01:10 PM.] |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 27 May 2003 2:23 pm
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One of my best NYC buddies has a National New Yorker front and center
on his living room wall
as art he can take down and play. It is central to an arc of antique ukelele's
A great guitar it played wonderfully.
Howard, if I dated one, she would have to be an INTER-National New Yawka. [This message was edited by David L. Donald on 27 May 2003 at 03:25 PM.] |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 27 May 2003 6:30 pm
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Hi Guys
I still have a post-war Newyorker I bought new in 1949 or '50 It's a six, so I don't play it much anymore, but it has bell-like harmonics. The pickup is getting weak and I need to remag it. Now you guys have me stirred up about it, so I guess I'll go get at it!
Bill |
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Steven Cearley
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 27 May 2003 6:34 pm
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I liked the way HowardR was trying to date his Fender. I tried it all weekend on my National (without success I might add). There are two types of tuners on this seven string. I like the idea of metal tuners as opposed to plastic, however my options are still open. Thanks for posting the websites to begin my search for the tuners. STEVE
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