The Steel Guitar Forum

I found this post by Bill Creller and thought I had my problem solved:
Jim, the Amphenol connector itself is a Switchcraft p/n 2501F. There is also an adapter available to use a standard 1/4 " cord/plug. It's available from angela.com They likely have the screw-on end also if you want to make a cord up to fit.

However, I called there and the person who answered didn't have the slightest idea what I was talking about, and said to email steve and when I asked if he was pretty good about answering emails, she said "I don't know."
Maybe angela.com was having a bad day, but anyway -- I came here for help where, from what I've seen, I'm likely to get it! lol

I need to know EXACTLY what I need to connect a standard amp/guitar cord to a National with what looks like a threaded projection on the guitar. In other words, no plug-in hole, but something which screws on to it.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I just JUST bought this guitar and am absolutely over the moon about it (you all know the feeling) and it would be unbearable to have it arrive and not be able to hear it!
If you need to see it, here's a link:
http://www.vt2000.com/national-connector.jpg
So, any help is greatly appreciated.
Clair

I have exactly the Switchcraft adapter that you're looking for and you're welcome to it for the cost of postage. I bought it to use on my old Supro and used it for only a few days before installing a conventional 1/4" jack plug. I also have a new Amphenol cord you could have.

We're trying to move and this stuff is just excess baggage. PM me if you're interested.



Chris

Just go on e-bay. I pulled up one seller who had 10 in stock at $5.99 per each.
What you are looking for is a Switchcraft model JT-30 Amphenol adaptor. It adapts the screw on connection to a standard 1/4" jack.

Chris / Erv
Thanks to both. I've just pm/ed Chris accepting his offer. Whew -- worry over. And I'm mailing in a donation to SGF for this incredible service!

clair

This cable from Elderly may work, too.

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/MS20.htm

Clair,
The adapter is on the "Microphones and Accessories" page (of course!) of the Angela web site. I've received a couple of them from Angela. Here's a link to the page: http://angela.com/microphonesandaccessories.aspx. It's the first thing in the third row, but it isn't $5.99!

I have a National lap steel with the screw-on connector, and I use the cable from Elderly that Steve mentioned. It works great and is a good quality cable. These connectors are also commonly used for harmonica microphones, so that's another way to search for them.

Ben, Jim --
Thought the thread was dead -- thanks for all the info. I learned something-- which is most always the biggest benefit of this forum. But, right away, at the top, I took Chris up on his offer and just received the pkg. a couple of days ago. He sent both the adapter AND a microphone cord. I'd no idea a mic cord would work. I'll be interested to see (hear) if there's any difference between using the cord and using the adapter with my Planet Waves guitar cord.

The National Dynamic should arrive on Tuesday, barring blizzards -- so thanks to you all, I'm ready and smarter than I was last week!

When you ask a question on this forum, I figure you are asking for all steelguitardom, so resolution of your particular issue doesn't stop us know-it-alls from continuing to put our two cents in. For future generations, etc., you know. Plus, having used only the one connector myself, I am interested in what you find comparing the two.

EggZackly!