The Steel Guitar Forum

FOUND: Ancient National DOUBLE 8;
SEE PICTURES... anyone got any thing at all they might know?
Check out that screw on jack with an insert nothing modern fits!
I found a 1953 catalog online with a backshot of one that might be this style.


Will post serial number as soon as I come back from workshop.

Seeing the fitting on the end made me wonder if it was liquid cooled.

Gregg McKenna wrote:Seeing the fitting on the end made me wonder if it was liquid cooled.

Well, it IS pretty cool...

I'm no expert but I think these were pretty common. I've owned two of them in the past. In my opinion one of the most beautiful lap still designs ever. In very good condition with a case and legs I'd say it's in the $600 and up range.

The only thing missing that I can see are the covers that go over the pick ups which I think were pretty commonly removed. I removed them on my models too. (But I did keep track of them.)

I have two of these. One with legs and one without (no sockets). You can stil get fittings for the input connection. The most recent application is for C.B. radios.

thanks for the cb radio info...
I completely disassembled it last night down to the five pieces of wood that are
used to make the body. That was a labor of love because if you break the piece in the middle you are in trouble as it's very thin in the sides where the electronic chamber is. Pickups are wired and look much better without the cigarette stains.
Body was dowel and glue thanks to God the glue was lightly used as we all know how strong wood glue can be. I resorted to this approach because of the fact there is no way to deal with the inside tuning heads. All the tuning heads actually work but I'm not into such wobble. It's a 1951 - 53 from what I've found. I'm amazed the late 30's version with the v shaped headstock looks so much more modern than this design. (???) Anyone want pictures of the pieces and the rebuild? Color choice is a big deal right now as I'm not much on cream and dark tobacco stains. No smoke free environment on this one looks more like 40 years of double duty as an ash trey! The sanders and the aniline dyes come out today!
Got two Eharp's also... one shown and #274 a heavy wood body that needs refinishing also... may as well do them both while I'm in gear!

It looks a good candidate for restoration, and should turn out well. Are the chrome fittings pitted ? If so you might need to get them replated, but the rest looks like it just needs cosmetic work.

Solomon Hofer wrote:... In my opinion one of the most beautiful lap still designs ever. ...

I too love the deco design and have often thought that if I was to ever build a console, that it would be very much in this style.

Don Faughnan wrote:... (???) Anyone want pictures of the pieces and the rebuild? ...

I'm sure many, myself included, would love to see the pics and others as you go through the restoration!

yeah, the metal is going to be a real project...
not the pickups so much as that middle piece with the logo;
I know a guy who could make that look brand new but time and $
that center strip ... man I'd love to find some NOS there!

Doesn't look half as bad as Henry J. Kaiser's dbl. 8 Magnatone I once owned. Mojo love can only go so far! Ry Cooder has/had that one.
Good luck restoring your's.

Noel Boggs played a similiar National before he got involved in promoting Fenders. I used to see it when I would go over to his house in Lynwood, Ca.