The Steel Guitar Forum

Didn't know much about lap steel, but figured I couldn't go wrong when I bought this 1940's Vega lap steel at the Orange County Fairgrounds guitar show last Saturday for $325 with OHSC. Since then, I realized I really like lap steel, and I have been doing a lot of research. I have a 1974 Shobud Pro I, but I haven't progressed well al all with it. I can handle the lap steel. I want to get another one- and/or build one. Looking at Gibson Ultratones and Gibson Skylarks. I really like the look of the Skylark and would buy one, but I heard I can do better sound wise. I'm thinking of trying to build a replica Skylark only with dense wood like Mahogany or Padauk and the best other components I can find. The Skylark seems too light- especially being made out of Korina.

The Vega weighs 6.7 lbs, has a 23" scale, and rings incredible thru my 1964 Fender Super Reverb Amp. Serial number is 46249. It appears very original. I haven't been able to date the pots yet. Numbers "45" stamped on the body bottom near the pickup cavity. I'm very happy with it.

That is a very pretty guitar.
Nice find.
And be careful, they're addicting.
I used to have just one.
Have no idea where there rest of them came from........

Larry Carlson wrote:That is a very pretty guitar.
Nice find.
And be careful, they're addicting.
I used to have just one.
Have no idea where there rest of them came from........

Ya- I really wanted to do the steel sound, but really got humbled by the pedal steel. This is manageable.

That pot dates to either 1946 or 1956; unfortunately, this model looked the same in both those years. Your steel's wiring has been redone; Vega used wire with insulation that often falls off over the years, so this is not uncommon. The tuners have been replaced as well.

Noah Miller wrote:That pot dates to either 1946 or 1956; unfortunately, this model looked the same in both those years. Your steel's wiring has been redone; Vega used wire with insulation that often falls off over the years, so this is not uncommon. The tuners have been replaced as well.

Thanks very much for this expert information.

Noah Miller wrote:That pot dates to either 1946 or 1956; unfortunately, this model looked the same in both those years. Your steel's wiring has been redone; Vega used wire with insulation that often falls off over the years, so this is not uncommon. The tuners have been replaced as well.

Do know what wood is used? Seems pretty dense. Mahogany?

Probably maple.

[quote=

Do know what wood is used? Seems pretty dense. Mahogany?[/quote]

I have a Vega just like that one. Really good guitar.
I read somewhere that they ate made of "gum wood".
Not sure what that is.
But, yeah they are heavy, solid feeling steels. Great tone.
I got a Vega Triumphant as well. Very similar in tone. I think that one is maple.
I love the old Vegas. You got a good deal on that one.
Enjoy!

That Vega looks really nice! Good find.

I can tell from your posts that you’re already in too deep to escape. I hope you have an understanding partner at home!

Allan Revich wrote:That Vega looks really nice! Good find.

I can tell from your posts that you’re already in too deep to escape. I hope you have an understanding partner at home!

Flyin solo! No joint discussions about allotment of finances.....

John Burton wrote:[quote=

I love the old Vegas. You got a good deal on that one.
Enjoy!

Ya...the price I paid does not reflect its value. The more I'm learning about lap steels, my opinion of my Vega keeps improving. Really rings.

Minor issue: the tone knob seems like it's placed where my palm would be resting.

Nice one, looks very clean. Congrats

Larry Carlson wrote:That is a very pretty guitar.
Nice find.
And be careful, they're addicting.
I used to have just one.
Have no idea where there rest of them came from........

Weird.... in my email inbox, I got a message about this being delivered next Monday via UPS.

Nice!!! As much as I like the Vega I like the ergonomics of the Gibson more.

Nice! I had one very similar, s/n 46209, in a lot rougher shape.
I probably should have kept it, but it wasn't getting played much.

I scored the same geetar off eBay recently, sounds great. Mine has colored fret markers, assuming that was earlier, but the blue ones have fallen off. Any ideas about repairing this issue which is purely cosmetic?

Matt Berg wrote:I scored the same geetar off eBay recently, sounds great. Mine has colored fret markers, assuming that was earlier, but the blue ones have fallen off. Any ideas about repairing this issue which is purely cosmetic?

Cannot help you there. Working on these old original guitars takes a lot of consideration. I may get a Valco/National Airline: it's a bit of a beater. I might allow myself to modify it to my liking- but the Vega: no. It's too original.

Kip Duff wrote:

Larry Carlson wrote:That is a very pretty guitar.
Nice find.
And be careful, they're addicting.
I used to have just one.
Have no idea where there rest of them came from........

Weird.... in my email inbox, I got a message about this being delivered next Monday via UPS.

Nice, somebody should 3D print cover sets for those as they're always cracked or missing. Mine had them but the bridge one was kinda messed up.