The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi folks,

I don't usually check out the Steel Without Pedals section very often as I'm a Pedal Steel player and builder, but now I'd like to put up a picture or two of an old Gibson lap steel I'm going to sell. I know the history of this guitar and remember it when it was purchased new. I'm not sure now though if it's a '47, '48 or a '49. The original owner was Tommy Menard who had a big dancehall and I played there with him when I was about 12 or 13. The guitar is all original and shows wear but still plays great even with 50 year old strings! I restore instruments but have done nothing to this one. I think it should be worth perhaps $1000 to $1200. What are any of your thoughts on the value of this guitar

Thanks for your opinions..

Mac Knowles

looks like a cruz tone sorta...i don't think many 6 stringers are worth a grand.

chris ivey wrote:looks like a cruz tone sorta...i don't think many 6 stringers are worth a grand.

Yes it does. Which came first?
To me it is just the best looking lap steel Gibson ever made. That's jmo.
It's a great sounding and great playing lap steel if you take the pick/bridge cover off.
It was the first postwar Gibson lap steel and was only produced for a few years in that rendition.

Mac, the Vintage Guitar Price Guide values it between $875. and $1,000.

chris ivey wrote:looks like a cruz tone sorta...

...the CruzTone look's sorta like an UltraTone, both some of the coolest steels around.

Gotta love the early P90!

Rick,
The Vintage Guitar Price Guide is a really "interesting" publication. I think it's produced by the same people that publish Vintage Guitar Magazine and they compile statistics based on the sale prices of instruments from some retail stores from around the US. We all know that store prices don't necessarily reflect real world value. This is especially true with lap steels.
I've been collecting lap steels for nearly 20 years and while I certainly don't know the entire market, I have a pretty good feel for what the more desirable 6 and 7 string lap steels are selling for, and I would never depend on that publication as a reference about lap steel prices. I can't speak for any other type of guitar.

Mac,
I hope you sell your BR-1 for a great price, but recently they haven't sold for !k except in excellent condition.

Good luck,
Richard

Richard, that's very true.
I've been collecting these things for a while myself.
You have to take Vintage Guitar Price Guide prices with a grain of salt - it ain't the bible.
A vintage steel is essentially worth what someone will pay for it.
And to say that a certain vintage guitar is worth $X is all well and good - but just try to find a clean one that's for sale at that price.
So your point is well taken - it's just a ballpark figure.
But you have to start somewhere . .

I think this applies to all vintage gear they list.

Richard Shatz wrote:...I've been collecting lap steels for nearly 20 years ...

I wondered where they all went...now I know.

I remember when I bought my first lap steel - a Fender Champion.
I paid $50 for it in a vintage guitar store, back in 1981.
There wasn't much demand for them back then, the guy just wanted it out of the store.
Now Vintage Guitar Guide says it's worth $850, and that's probably about right.
I still have it and I'll never sell it, no matter what I could get for it.

Rick Alexander wrote:...I'll never sell it, no matter what I could get for it.

...and I was just about to offer you $20,000 for it. Oh well, I'll wait till the next one comes along.

Hey Rick------My bid is for $25000

You guys are hilarious!!

I love that cowboy...