Supro Done! - Help ID This Lap Steel - Supro?

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

I just bought this MOTS lap steel. I *THINK* it is a Supro. Models Comet & Irene are close but not an exact match:

Controls:

I put a string on it and the pickup works fine, vol works, and tone works but sweep is reversed.

The fretboard is raised wood and matches this Supro 1935-36 fry pan:

All the 50's/60's Comets & Irenes have different fretboards.

I think that the output jack is a replacement. It might have been a microphone connector at one time.

The vol & tone plates are attached with small brad nails so I have not looked at the pots.

Or maybe it is a National model?

Thanks!

It's missing the badge & nut. Nut width is 1 15/16", 1-6 string spread at the bridge is 2 3/16". Scale is 23.0". The 3 on a plate tuners work but a couple are sloppy. If Klusons or Grovers fit I most likely will replace them.

Plan is to set it up with a G6 tuning (H2L):

1_B3_3_0.019P_29.4
2_G3_R_0.024P_29.5
3_E3_6_0.030W_26.9
4_D3_5_0.036W_29.4
5_B2_3_0.042W_28.9
6_G2_R_0.054W_29.3

Total pull 173.4 lbs
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Noah Miller · From: Rocky Hill, CT

I can't find an exact match for it. It's certainly a late National-Dobro or early Valco creation; the first-generation string-through pickup dates it to 1940-2. It seems to combine features from several models, including the National Princess and Waikiki, and the Supro Avalon.

One of the many "mystery instruments" to come out of that factory.

The jack might have been a screw-on microphone connector, or it might have been a hard-wired cord originally.

Will Houston · From: Tempe, Az

No matter what it is, its pretty cool lookin. Nice score.

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

Thanks! I am definitely going to repair it and get it working again. When I pull the tone pot I will check the numbers.

I will have to find a badge/decal for the headstock.

I might make a stand for it,
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Christian Boeger · From: Wisconsin, USA

That’s a Valco made steel-probably early 40s. Before they started doing the large baseplate for the pickup that also held the controls. I just saw a 1941 New Yorker with that exact pickup /bridge. It could have been sold under one of many brand names like Supro, Bronson, Mckinney… the knobs are found on many Supro models. Those pickups are just so great. Does it have nail holes on the rear of the headstock?

Christian Boeger · From: Wisconsin, USA

The location and spacing of the nail holes on the headstock makes it look like it would have had a Supro badge

Daniel Flanigan · From: Oregon, USA

It's most definitely a Valco-made guitar, and the design influence would suggest that it was Supro branded, but it could also be a Silvertone. It's a real looker, and those Valco guitars sound incredibly good. Is there a serial number remaining on the back of the headstock?

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

Christian, no nail holes on the back.

Daniel, no serial numbers anywhere on it.

I am going with Supro. Now to find a badge for it.

I have speced out a brassnut for it. Waiting to hear back from Kluson on replacement Deluxe tunners.

Sorry for the delay but I just got back from 3 weeks in Africa where internet speeds are bad, worse, and horrible.
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Daniel Flanigan · From: Oregon, USA

Be sure and show us a picture once you get it all gussied up. What were you doing in Africa, if you don't mind my asking?

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

UPDATE:

The tuners are Kluson Deluxe 3 on a plate, Kluson makes replacements with a wide number of options:

https://www.kluson.com/kluson-3-on-a-plate-deluxe-series-tuning-machines-details.html

I decided on new Kluson KD-3P-NBBM ($68 on eBay) with butterfly metal buttons rather than plastic:

Specifications:

Center to center distance of all 3 posts= 2 3/4 in.
Center to center distance between posts - 1 3/8 in.
Length of baseplate- 4 1/4 in., post height= 1 in.
15:1 Ratio
Also comes complete with bushings and mounting screws.

Note that I did not install the tuner top bushings. The headstock is too thick to allow the use of the bushings. If installed, the bushings would block the string hole. Since this lap steel never had bushings, I left then out.

The Klusons are an EXACT fit! The screw holes lined up perfectly. No drilling needed.

I am stilling looking for the metal Supro badge. In the meantime, I have ordered a Supro sticker for it. Anyone know of a Supro badge that looks like these that is for sale?

or

I have ordered a custom brass nut for it from Rukavina Guitars.

https://www.rukavinaguitars.com/

https://www.rukavinaguitars.com/lapsteel_nuts.html

Ryan has made a number of bridges & nuts for me and his workmanship is fantastic! Highly recommended.

Once the nut arrives, this lap steel will be back in business.
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

Daniel Flanigan · From: Oregon, USA

I'd keep my eye on Reverb for a Supro badge. I looked around for one, and while I didn't find any currently in stock anywhere, I did see a couple of sold Reverb listings for the correct badge. If you have a Supro that still has it's badge, I would measure the space between the nails to make sure it'll line up with the nail holes on this guitar. If you don't, let me know and I'll measure the badge on my '60 Supro.

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

Update: Done

The brass nut arrived from Rukavina Guitars. Ryan knocked it out of the park!

https://www.rukavinaguitars.com/

And overall:

It is setup G6 tuning:

L to H:
1-3-5-6-1-3

G6 H to L:

1_B3_3_0.019P
2_G3_R_0.024P
3_E3_6_0.030W
4_D3_5_0.036W
5_B2_3_0.042W
6_G2_R_0.054W

I will also try Open G Dobro on it:

L to H:

G B D G B D

I did not open up the tone pot. I will just live with the reverse sweep. Still looking for a Supro badge.
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Daniel Flanigan · From: Oregon, USA

Boy, she's lookin' good. These old guitars are fantastic.

Mark Makin · From: Nottingham, UK

This is a Supro version of the National guitar that was referred to as the "woodbody" and painted with a wood grain stain. The fingerboard markers, pickup and control knob plates are the same. They were built by Valco in 1941.

Michael Miller · From: Virginia

The asymmetrical poles in the pickup indicate an early supro/valco/national ('38-40). The tone pot on them is bass-ackwards.

The original tuner buttons would likely have been small ovals. Tulips came late 50's in Supro Supreme models.

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

Thanks all!

Well I guess I will call her a '39 now. Good info!

I intentionally did not get buttons on the replacement tuners as I prefer the keystone types. I still have the originals.
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Michael Miller · From: Virginia

Enjoy
Those early pickups are sweet. I have a similar guitar and put new magnets in the pickup. It is easy and provides a real boost.

Noah Miller · From: Rocky Hill, CT

Daniel Flanigan · From: Oregon, USA

Tony, did that Supro headstock badge end up working out for this guitar?
_________________
I'm waitin' for the pardon that'll set me free,
But this ain't the movies, so forget about me.

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

I ordered it and it has never arrived. I called the seller yesterday and he said that "they took all his badges" and he thought he notified me. I am waiting on a refund (:
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

Daniel Flanigan · From: Oregon, USA

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

For completeness here's the tuning spec. I forgot to post it.

_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

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