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Topic: Any thoughts on the Gibson Lap Steel |
Bill Ferguson
From:
Milton, FL USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2019 10:26 am |
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I am trying to find out anything I can about this lap steel.
It belonged to the late Doc Stewart.
Before I delve into cleaning it up and restringing, I'm trying to find out if it's worth it.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Bill
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AUTHORIZED George L's, Goodrich, Telonics and Peavey Dealer: I have 2 steels and several amps. My current rig of choice is 1993 Emmons LeGrande w/ 108 pups (Jack Strayhorn built for me), Goodrich OMNI Volume Pedal, George L's cables, Goodrich Baby Bloomer and Peavey Nashville 112. Can't get much sweeter. |
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Nelson Checkoway
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2019 6:13 pm
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Looks like a late 40s BR-4. Like the BR-3 — Gibson’s first post war release, but with binding. The modern Gibson logo dates it as one on the later/last examples. The bridge cover should have a pinstripe design so it looks pretty worn. Same for the body and fingerboard. The bracket that the strings attach to is odd. Not original. It looks like some sort of tuning changer. Old aftermarket unit or maybe homemade??
About 10 sold on Reverb over the past few years: half at were asking $700-900 (though they probably settled for less) and half between $300-550 (which seem about right). $400-500 is probably the number for all original in very good+ condition. This one looks tired and has some issues. But it’s likely a pretty good playing steel under all that grime. The weird tailpiece is what’s most concerning. Probably best to remove it and determine if the strings can be installed the normal way and hold tune.
If so it’s probsbly worth putting back into service. I just wouldn’t count on it being a good long term investment. Hope this helps. |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 8 Jun 2019 6:34 pm
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| It's a 1947-1959 BR-6 with a very faded burst and who-knows-what kind of tuning changer added. |
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Nelson Checkoway
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2019 6:56 pm
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| You’re right Noah-it’s a BR-6, not a BR-4. Both controls on the treble side confirm it. I stand corrected. And as such it wouldn’t have had the pinstripe graphic element. But we both agree it’s way worn with an odd changer! |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 8 Jun 2019 8:37 pm to do or not to do
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I think you have a lot to work with if your plan is to make it live again as a players guitar.
Obviously dump el stupido and get to the clean up.
Seriously - it looks like it is all there. The binding looks tight, all of the plastic covers and knobs are there;
chances are high the pickup and all of that are original.
Those nuts are the really good ones too.
_________________
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Maker of One of a Kind Works of Art that play music too.
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2019 12:52 pm
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| I like the way those old mahogany Gibsons sound. I've made instruments that were in far worse shape than that one into serviceable instruments. I would say "go for it, Bill." You probably couldn't make it much worse. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2019 7:01 am
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That model Gibson was my 1st electric guitar.
I played it for quite a while until I started to play the different tunings. Then I traded up to a T-8 Stringmaster. 
Erv |
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