At some point in the near future I'm thinking of selling my 1st generation National New Yorker Hawaiian 6 string guitar. Before I put it on eBay, I'm offering it here.
According to researcher Mark Maikin, the first time the New Yorker appeared in National sales catalogue was 1935, and between then and the last appearance in 1968 there were 15 different models!
Mine, with serial B1410 is the very first version, and can be seen with loads of pictures and other New Yorker model information at my http://notecannons.com/ site. Scroll down the menu till you reach Electrics then select New Yorker lap steels.
I purchased it some 10 years ago on a visit to Nashville, from Cotten(spelling?) music. It was owned by John Jennings, Mary Chapin Carpenter's guitarist, and he had had it professionally rewired, including new pots. There are pictures on my site of the inside showing the quality of the work. At the same time the screw on jack was replaced with a 1/4" socket. I have recently plugged her in and all 3 pick-ups work fine, so besides being a 'collectable', it is also a 'playable'! It does have the join in the fret-board allowing the pick-ups under it to be easily accessed.
The only things 'missing' are the chrome hand-rest over the bridge and pickup (if you use the heel of your right hand to string damp you would take that off anyway) , and a small cosmetic piece of black laminate is missing from the same area. This could easily be recreated and replaced.
John had written his name in black felt tip on the brown case, I haven't tried to remove that, but the case is in good condition otherwise.
Asking price is US$650 + shipping. Although I'm in Canada, there should be no tax on US entry as it was US made.
Aloha
Colin McC
email: dopyera@gmail.com