| Author |
Topic: Marlen 8-string |
Jeffrey Shu
From:
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 13 Dec 2008 6:08 am |
|
I'm looking at a Marlen 8-string locally - 1960's, I assume (haven't checked the serial number yet). Sketchy details, I know, but does anyone know a ballpark price for such? I'll do some digging for more info.
_________________
The Bo-Stevens (honky tonk/old country) & Tupelo Crush (Americana/rock)
'94 Marlen D-10 w/ chrome-wrapped BL 705s, Quilter Steelaire, '74 Fender Twin/JBL D120s. |
|
|
|
b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
|
Posted 13 Dec 2008 9:43 am
|
|
Single or double neck? How many pedals? Condition?
By the way, if you decide not to buy it let me know. I like 8 string pedal steels a lot.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
|
|
|
Jeffrey Shu
From:
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 14 Dec 2008 7:58 am
|
|
Single neck and functional, but certainly not mint. The present owner gigs with it occasionally. I'm sure it's never been reworked or reconditioned. Its fretboard marking strip was replaced at some point because it was rusting a bit, but the original has since been reattached.
If I don't end up getting it, I'll certainly pass word - just trying to figure out a fair price since the owner has no idea and I'm not looking to "steel" it  .
_________________
The Bo-Stevens (honky tonk/old country) & Tupelo Crush (Americana/rock)
'94 Marlen D-10 w/ chrome-wrapped BL 705s, Quilter Steelaire, '74 Fender Twin/JBL D120s. |
|
|
|
Jeffrey Shu
From:
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 14 Dec 2008 8:13 am
|
|
Three pedals - no knees. It may even be early 60's. A previous owner did some paint stripping on the fretboard, but that rework looks fine (though not original). Mechanics haven't been reworked, but they still do work. I'll see if I can't get a picture.
_________________
The Bo-Stevens (honky tonk/old country) & Tupelo Crush (Americana/rock)
'94 Marlen D-10 w/ chrome-wrapped BL 705s, Quilter Steelaire, '74 Fender Twin/JBL D120s. |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 14 Dec 2008 8:34 am
|
|
I'd say $200-$300 tops! It's better than no guitar...but just barely.  Nice looking guitars when they were new, but mechanically they're like something made by Mattel or Remco. |
|
|
|
b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
|
Posted 14 Dec 2008 9:16 am
|
|
A picture would be helpful. It seems to me that any working pedal steel is worth at least $300. Given what Donny said, I doubt that it's worth more than $500, though.
The old Marlens I've seen had paper fretboards, covered with a piece of plexiglass attached to the neck with 6 small screws. I've never seen a 8 string Marlen, though. It might be an earlier model.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
|
|
|
Jeffrey Shu
From:
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 14 Dec 2008 9:28 am
|
|
I'm working on a picture or two - interesting for historical perspective if nothing else. I remember reading somewhere that these old Marlens are a bear to work on. I appreciate any and all insight contributed.
Did Marlen have different model names or were they just Marlens with technological design improvements over the years?
_________________
The Bo-Stevens (honky tonk/old country) & Tupelo Crush (Americana/rock)
'94 Marlen D-10 w/ chrome-wrapped BL 705s, Quilter Steelaire, '74 Fender Twin/JBL D120s. |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 14 Dec 2008 11:12 am
|
|
| b0b wrote: |
| A picture would be helpful. It seems to me that any working pedal steel is worth at least $300. Given what Donny said, I doubt that it's worth more than $500, though. |
Bobby, I make my "determinations of worth" for a guitar like this based on what's there, and what's it comparable to. I have a '60s D10 Marlen. Nice looking, but very crudely made. I think the crossrods are about 1/4" diameter,the pedal stop is a piece of .032 galvanized steel strapping nailed to a thin strip of wood. Holes and cutouts are "hacksaw-like" in workmanship, and it's, of course, a single-finger design. Considering you could probably buy any of several 3+4 S-10 used starter guitars for $500-$600, that's why I'd say the Marlen in question is (in my opinion) probably worth about $300.
Of course, any item is actually worth what someone will pay for it, so it could possibly bring more...from an uninformed buyer or collector. |
|
|
|
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
|
|
|
|
David Collins
From:
Madison, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 15 Dec 2008 4:36 am
|
|
Donny-
I'd love to see a picture of your old Marlen. From what I've been told by members of the Stadler family, you have one of the first ten guitars that were built. These were pre-production models and were built with varying features to see what was viable as production models.
I have one of them also, and will totally agree that it is very crude, but it also has a sound quality and tone that is about as good as you'll ever find. Sustain for days!
As to the value, I don't have a clue.
Here's mine:
_________________
David Collins
www.chjoyce.com |
|
|
|
