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Topic: Found 1950's McKinney Bakelite Steel with minor issue |
David Innerebner
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2011 9:33 pm |
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Hi I am new to this forum and new to slide guitar. I found a 1950's McKinney Steel but the bakelite on the tuners have disintegrated and I would like to replace them. The tuners may be kluson deluxe?
Any idea where to find replacements or something that would be keeping with the original look of the guitar?
One more off the subject Q
I have been playing guitar over 30 years recently started learning open G tune and slide. Do you recommend using this tuning pattern with the lap steelor learning a specific tuning to the lap steel?
thanks
dave
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Brian Herder
From:
Philadelphia, Pa. USA
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Roy McKinney
From:
Ontario, OR
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 6:22 am
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| How about a pioture of the "McKinney" guitar? Never heard of one before. |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 6:27 am
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Personally, I'd prefer fresh, fully functional tuners to original, rusty and worn-out ones with new knobs (which also take a lot of work to fit). A bit of ageing can be simulated if necessary - bury the new ones in the garden for a month or two. |
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Brian Herder
From:
Philadelphia, Pa. USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 7:28 am
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| IMHO- Replacing the whole tuner assembly is a fine way to go assuming that the original tuners are worn out and useless, but that's an expensive route to go for a lap steel, both in actual cost and devaluation of the guitar by removing the original parts. Replacing the buttons is cheap, arguably less work and a more desireable alternative to anyone who appreciates vintage gear. 9 times out of 10 Klusons aren't worn out, it's just the rotted buttons, especially on a lap steal where the strings have probably not been changed much. |
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David Innerebner
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 8:02 am
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Thanks for the info, I think I will try the knobs first. I can't turn the knobs they have fallen apart the more I try. A couple of the machines seemed to work easily. Do the knobs just press on or do they need an adherent?
heres a pic of the McKinney guitar
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Brian Herder
From:
Philadelphia, Pa. USA
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 8:29 am
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I doubt if that guitar is bakelite.
It looks like MOTS (mother of toilet seat) to me. 
It closely resembles an Oahu from that period of time.
This is what an Oahu looks like:
Last edited by Erv Niehaus on 7 Dec 2011 9:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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David Innerebner
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 9:17 am maker
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my understanding is this was made by National. There seems to be many made with different names but the same body and same or similar hardware.
MOTS it is. Learned another new thing today. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 9:33 am
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Moved to Steel Without Pedals from Pedal Steel.
Your lap steel was made by Valco of Chicago, who also made National and Supro lap steels. Use this serial number listing to determine the year it was made.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 11:35 am
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I have an Oahu just like it. (see avatar). Killer steel.
I have found that when you replace the tuners on these (with modern Klusons) the headstock is a bit thicker and the hole in the string post sits slightly below the bushing. Still works ok.
With a cleaning,rebutton,and lubrication those Klusons will probably be fine. With all my steels
(and most have Klusons) I have only ever had to replace one set.
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"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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