The Steel Guitar Forum

I would love some help determining what year my Supro lap steel is. On the back of the headstock there is a ID : #B3094. In addition, the guitar does not take a standard 1/4" cable but instead a different kind of cable threads on. Thanks for any help!

I HAD A 6 STING BLACK AND WHITE NATIONAL LAP STEEL IN THE LATE 40'S THAT HAD A THREADED JACK. WISH I HAD IT BACK, IT WAS GIVEN AWAY WHILE I WAS IN THE NAVY, THEY DIDN'T THINK I WANTED IT AFTER I HAD PURCHASED A NEW DOUBLE NECK 8 STRING FENDER, WHILE IN DRY DOCK UP IN VALLLEVO. THOSE WERE THE DAYS OF NATIONAL, SUPRO, GIBSON ALL MADE LAP STEELS AT THAT TIME. BUT THIS IS ABOUT YOUR SUPRO AND IM SORRY I DON'T KNOW THE AGE OF YOUR INSTERMENT, BUT IT IS A VINTAGE MODEL.

WATBE D, CLARK
DESERT ROSE S10 3/5
GOODRICH PEDAL
PEAVEY 110

Here's a similar Supro model in a slightly earlier incarnation with just a single volume control and no tone control. Yours might be around 1937 or slightly later. I believe some National serial number data puts the B prefix range at between 1936-1937, but whether that applies to all Supros I'm not certain.



Catalog courtesy Michael Lee Allen.

A forum search on "Amphenol" will turn up lots of information on screw-on connectors. Hope this helps.

The only serial numbers I can find beginning in "B," are National/Valco numbers that do indicate 1937!
http://www.valcopages.com/Dating.html

Here's a list of National and Supro serial #'s. Yours does appear to date from 1937.
http://home.provide.net/~cfh/national.html#serial

1937! wow, thanks!

Hi Paul. The screw-on connector was common to guitars and amplifiers up to the 60's. I have a National D8 and a 1955 (?) Bogen Challenger CHA33 PA amplifier (which I still use for my Gibson Console Grande) that have those connectors on them. I still see the adaptors in the picture below in old, old music stores. It's a handy device if you want to use a double-ended 1/4" plug cord.




Geo

That adapter is still available, and it's made by Switchcraft. I have the part number here someplace, and if I find it I will post it. Also trying to remember who handles them. Gettin' old really sucks!

Hi Bill. I'd be interested in having the Switchcraft part number if it's readily available. I guess I could slueth it out on the net. Ah yes, good ole Switchcraft components. All my career has been in contracts and procurement, and the first 25 years or so were in electronic equipment manufacturing. I purchased tens of thousands of passive components like Switchcraft, Centralab, Amphenol, Canon, E. F. Johnson and the list goes on. Switchcraft made quality items, I wonder if they're made offshore now.

I was just looking in my 1959 Allied Radio catalogue and all the Switchcraft connectors are there except that particular adaptor. There's no number on the 2 I have, it just says Switchcraft Inc.

Geo

Here you go.

http://www.jt30.com/jt30page/eacstore.html

Thanks Richard. At least we know they are still available.

Geo

Hey Paul, if you need one of those thread to 1/4" phone plug adapters just send me your mailing address and I'll send you one, no charge. I have one left over from an old lapsteel that I used it on before I had it converted to a regular jack.........JH in Va.