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Topic: First post, I need some identification help… |
keith wideman
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 1:16 pm |
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Hello fellas,
greetings from a very warm Ontario, Canada…
My dad has owned this for many years and I’m trying to do is figure out what it is, you don’t need to tell me what it’s worth because I know too many people probably ask that question, I’m just trying to figure out what model it is? If anyone has any insight, I would greatly appreciate it,
I’m a guitar player so this is a little bit out of my league, have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Keith
 [/img]
Last edited by keith wideman on 14 Apr 2021 5:06 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 1:33 pm
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This is the second version of the Royaltone, built late '55 to early '56. You don't see them very often since only 67 were built.
Last edited by Noah Miller on 13 Jul 2018 1:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 1:36 pm
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| FYI, the tuner buttons are a common and easy fix. |
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keith wideman
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 1:47 pm
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Thank you very much fellas, for your help…
Only 67 were built? That’s incredible…
It must’ve been a real bad one if they stopped after 67, then, he he.
Keith
Is there a website where I could get some new tuning pegs, these are extremely brittle and they break off in your fingers, basically I did that to one before I stopped. At least I stopped after one, I’m a pretty smart guy…  |
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Jim Dulfer
From:
Southeastern USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 2:14 pm
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Now that's a beautiful and rare lap steel! If you are interested in a set of original Kluson Deluxe tuners WITH original intact tuner buttons, PM me!
You can also find after-market reproduction Kluson tuners but, in my opinion, they don't do justice to a vintage guitar as nice as your dad's and they just don't have the aged patina of an original set!
The tuner buttons on these 50+ year old Kluson tuners typically deteriorated with age and a HUGE percentage of them for sale on line now sport replaced repro buttons. That's also an option to consider. But if you want a clean original set, let me know.
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keith wideman
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 3:03 pm
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Thank you Jim, I sent you a message…
Keith |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 3:58 pm
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I, for one, would at least pick up the cheapest tuners that fit the original attachment points, put them on. And THEN work on refurbishing the originals. I have had tragic, dark & bitter experiences when I had a pedal steel or amplifier half-demolished - I can follow literal instructions even if I don't UNDERSTAND them - and when the frustration of my ignorance got to be too much, I could always sit down and play the blues away on my... half-demolished pile of stuff, formerly known as a steel guitar?!? WAAH!
http://www.danerlewine.com/ - this guy is associated with the Stewert/McDonald parts-n-tools company -
https://www.stewmac.com/ - but in between trying to sell you stuff there's a mountain of instructions.
And this guy - Frank Ford at:
http://www.frets.com/ - and; there's all sorts of builder forums too, more about tuner buttons than anyone would ever need. |
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keith wideman
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 4:27 pm
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Thank you, David,
I appreciate it,
Keith |
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keith wideman
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 5:00 pm
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| double post/ |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2018 8:00 pm
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Unless you have experience replacing tuner buttons I would not recommend doing it yourself. Find a qualified guitar tech - it's not an expensive job and they won't be damaged. But the suggestion regarding replacing them with a new set that fits is a far better idea IMO. It's what I recommend to most of my tech clients on instruments that do not have high collectable value. (and this one does not).
And to answer your unasked question, "Book" value (The Vintage Guitar Price Guide) is $625-775 in excellent condition. This one would fall just below that - but those are dealer selling prices, not necessarily private party prices - and certainly not what dealers would pay.
the Royaltone isn't a bad steel. Gibson wasn't a huge player in that market, a market that was not huge to begin with. If the pickup works, controls are OK and tuners operate it's a good, serviceable instrument.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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keith wideman
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 14 Jul 2018 10:52 am
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| Thank you Jim, great information, I appreciate it, |
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keith wideman
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Jim Dulfer
From:
Southeastern USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2018 1:43 pm
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Yes that's may be true but if you look closely at the celluloid tuning buttons on the Kluson plank tuners, they are newer after-market repros! Original Kluson tuner buttons have much more of a "scooped" face. Repros like those are fatter (and whiter)!
So the same deterioration that happened to the Kluson tuners on your dad's lap steel, happened to that lap steel...and countless others! It's difficult but rewarding to find an 60 year old Gibson with original intact celluloid Kluson tuner buttons. |
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keith wideman
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 16 Jul 2018 4:40 am
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Wow, Jim, you don’t miss a thing…
I sent you a message, via your email…  |
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