| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic National New Yorker
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  National New Yorker
Tom Mack

 

From:
Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2017 9:12 am    
Reply with quote

I'm the happy new owner of a National New Yorker. The serial number, 3175G, dates it to 1940-1942 and it's in pretty good shape for it's age. The nut is chipped on the ends and the wooden hand rest is missing the top cross piece. I've attached a number of pictures including some of the internals for the famous "Hawaiian, Chimes, Harp tone switch. As some have figured out, the tone switch has the center lug grounded and each outer leg goes to a different capacitor. The capacitors are labeled "inside and outside" perhaps referring to the leg of the pot they are attached to. The value on the inside pot is .02 mf - 200 volts. I couldn't see what the other one was.
It sounds really good, especially after I adjusted the pickup pole pieces so that the volume on each string was equal. Some of the pole pieces had not been turned in about 50 years and were difficult to get going. I hope this adds to the knowledge base about these great guitars.
The tuners are exposed to show that they are Kluson






View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Tom Mack

 

From:
Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2017 9:14 am     National New Yorker
Reply with quote

The last picture isn't my steel but shows what the wooden hand rest looks like when it is all there. I'm wondering what kind of wood it is made of since I'd like to repair mine which is missing the cross piece on top.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
C. E. Jackson


Post  Posted 15 Oct 2017 11:14 am    
Reply with quote

A great find, Tom. Those 6 string National New Yorker Steels sound really great. I can't help you regarding the type wood for the hand rest
shown in the last photo.

I have a 1936 7 string model with a metal hand rest, and a 1947 6 string model with a clear plastic hand rest. Both are shown below. I suggest
that you contact one of the Forum National vintage steel experts or dealers regarding the type wood for the hand rest shown in the last photo.







C. E. Smile
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Tom Mack

 

From:
Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 4:43 am     National New Yorker
Reply with quote

Great examples of different vintage New Yorkers C.E.! I guess your 1930's model has the extra pickups under the bridge? Which pickup sound do you prefer between your 2 New Yorkers?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
C. E. Jackson


Post  Posted 16 Oct 2017 5:57 am    
Reply with quote

Tom Mack wrote:
Great examples of different vintage New Yorkers C.E.! I guess your 1930's model has the extra pickups under the bridge? Which pickup sound do you prefer between your 2 New Yorkers?


Thanks,Tom. The extra pickups are concealed on the 1936 7 string model. The pickup
sounds are different. However, I prefer the sound of the 1947 6 string model.

C. E. Smile
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
James Hartman

 

From:
Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2017 9:42 am    
Reply with quote

C. E. Jackson wrote:
Tom Mack wrote:
Great examples of different vintage New Yorkers C.E.! I guess your 1930's model has the extra pickups under the bridge? Which pickup sound do you prefer between your 2 New Yorkers?


Thanks,Tom. The extra pickups are concealed on the 1936 7 string model. The pickup
sounds are different. However, I prefer the sound of the 1947 6 string model.

C. E. Smile


I have one very similar to your 1947 6 string, but with the larger pickup ('48/'49?). These are fine sounding instruments.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
James Hartman

 

From:
Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 24 Oct 2017 7:34 am    
Reply with quote

FYI - just noticed a 7 string New Yorker for sale on Reverb (listed as 1937 or '3Cool for $695+.

Not me selling it, and I don't know the seller. If I didn't already have a New Yorker I'd be tempted.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron