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Rebuilding a National D8 console

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:44 am
by Mike McCracken
Several months ago, there was a gentleman who was rebuilding his D8 console and had pics and the process he went through. Well, I'm getting ready to do the same and would love to get his name and pick his brain.
Thanks in advance....

Mike
Image

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 1:37 pm
by Eric Philippsen
Wow, imagine that. I took a look at the picture of your D8 National. I bought its identical twin at the Columbus OH guitar show last Sunday.

I saw the case, opened it up, said "Whoa, boy" and did the deal.

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 9:52 am
by Jay Fagerlie
I have one of those...from 1947, with the matching amp.
The cable finally went bad so I bought one of those screw on adapters for it.
Right now I have it C6 and high E13.
I love the way it sounds.
Jay

national D8

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 10:20 am
by Mike McCracken
It's been a great steel. I have used it now for about 7 years.
Unfortunately, some of the tuning gears are shot, and the switches work only sometimes. Thought I would try to find the gentleman who completely went through his and get some "lessons learned" training. lol....

They are certainly wonderful sounding steels....

Posted: 21 Jan 2011 6:14 am
by Don McGregor
There is as current thread on Steel w/o Pedals by a guy looking for legs for a Nat'l D8 he says he just rebuilt.
Maybe that's the guy? Mike Prawalsky.
http://tinyurl.com/4gyf3x9
BTW, I also play a National D8, and have had to make new bridge/string holder plate for mine. I've got a 60's version Grand Console that has two pickups on each neck, and a blend pot behind each set of strings.
Please post pictures of your progress.

Posted: 21 Jan 2011 8:48 am
by Larry Phleger
I have a National T8 1955 model. I had to do some touch up on the fret boards. It plays and sounds great. One thing I changed was the output jack. I replaced it with a standard 1/4 jack. I'm going to have to eventually replace the buttons on the tuners as they are beginning to show their age. Good luck with your project :)