My New National

Michael T. Hermsmeyer · From: Branson, Missouri, USA

Hey everyone, I wanted to share with you my new blessing from above, A 1948 National Console Grand.
Credit where credit is due, first of all, Glory To God on High. The Biblical Laws of Increase do work!

My wife and I were at church last wednesday night and we were introduced to a woman by one of our friends. To make a long story short, we invited them to one of our shows, www.patsyinbranson.net. They came last saturday. After the show, she started asking me about the different slide instruments that I play (pedal steel, dobro and melobar). Then she mentioned that her father, who passed away several years ago, played steel and that she had his old steel in her garage. She asked me if I wanted it, I said sure..... We followed her to her house after church sunday morning, and she opened the case to reveal this beautiful National Console Grand. She says that it has been in the case since 1977, and some of the strings were still in tune, Wow!!. I told her that I would receive the guitar in Jesus name and that I would take wonderful care of it.
When I got home I plugged it in, played one note and nearly cried for the tone was sooooooo wonderful. I will restring it and give it a good cleaning. It needs a little glue in the dowels and I am considering changing the tuner buttons, but otherwise it is perfect. She also gave me 3 old De'Armond Volume pedals, one of which is a "Boo-Wah" pedal. Maybe someone out there has one, mine needs a little TLC. I haven't tried the other ones yet. Also a Gibson Vibra-rest? Whatever that is, and some very vintage Gibson strings, lol. Glory to God!!!

I hope you enjoy the photos. If you have any insight on this guitar please let me know. According to a serial number chart that I found on the forum, it is a 1948.

Thanks, Michael T.

------------------
UTILITY MAN PRODUCTIONS
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE,
'85 DOBRO 60DS, '95 DOBRO F60S,
'95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1955 FENDER TRIPLE NECK STRINGMASTER. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps.

[This message was edited by Michael T. Hermsmeyer on 19 April 2004 at 11:10 PM.]

[This message was edited by Michael T. Hermsmeyer on 19 April 2004 at 11:14 PM.]

Graham Griffith · From: Tempe, N.S.W., Australia

Michael,

that is a truly beautiful gift and I'm sure that you're going to honour it with your playing. Congratulations.

Graham

Alan Kirk · From: Scotia, CA, USA

Wow, the Goddess Fortuna has been very good to you.

------------------

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

I've always loved those old National Console Grandes. Sure wish I had kept mine. There was a time when I was always buying and selling. No more. I still buy occasionally, but never sell, much to my wife's consternation! That's a great guitar you now have...baby it, caress it and it will give you a lot of love in return.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

you've won a blessing Micheal
all you gotta do now is carry the light and make it shine

Larry Phleger · From: DuBois, PA

Wow! That sure is beautiful. I have a National T-8, and if yours sounds as good as mine, you will love it. That was a real blessing. Praise God!

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

I had one like that, purchased just after the end of WWII when that National and the then-new Fender had just come on the market after the war, I disassembled the 5 body parts and added a 5/8" board under the front neck to raise it above the back neck, and made a new front pice, which was only there for decorative purposes. That was the axe I played on Pee Wee King's original RCA record of "Tennessee Waltz." I sold it off after I got a new Fender through an endorsement deal. Wish I had kept it, if only for sentimental reasons.

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: