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Post new topic Anybody know what this is?
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Author Topic:  Anybody know what this is?
Lynn Wheelwright


From:
Clearfield, Utah, USA
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2024 2:59 pm    
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I have had this one for a while and decided to try and figure out how it works. Looks to have been made for the National EH it is attached to but seems far too well engineered and built to be one-off. The larger disc moves up while the smaller one moves down. The way it is strung only the larger disc produces any pitch change. If yu have any ideas or know about this please chime in. Thanks





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Tony Oresteen


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2024 3:14 pm    
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Perhaps it needs to be traveling at 88 MPH before the dials work.... Smile
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Newnan, GA

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Jack Hanson


From:
San Luis Valley, USA
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2024 4:28 pm    
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1930s steam punk?
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Eric Dahlhoff


From:
Point Arena, California
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2024 10:36 pm     National Hawiian
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Fascinating! Whoa!
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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 10 Aug 2024 4:17 am    
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Wow.
I'm trying to make out whether it has a locking device to be a tuning changer a la the Dobro Hipshot that toggles between two presets or if it is a playing device.

As much as you, Lynn, are a walking encyclopedia, it strikes me that if you have never seen one of these before, the odds that there might be yet another one in the world seem slim.
IOW I lean toward it being a very elaborate one-off.
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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 10 Aug 2024 6:42 am    
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I'm thinking possible palm pedals. Certain strings are attached and it has springs.
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Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 10 Aug 2024 8:47 am    
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Appears to be a device to change complete tunings, say from open D to Hi G, etc. Since you say the discs move in opposite directions. I'm trying to determine how the big knob enters the equation.

Also the lettering reads Chord Production which also leads me to believe it's purpose is to change entire chord tunings.

Whatever it is, it's a good way to mess up an otherwise nice old guitar.

Still trying to figure it out.
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Paul Strojan

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 10 Aug 2024 8:59 pm    
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It looks a lot like the Edge string bender that Jackson's make. As designed, the levers rotate set screws onto the strings to raise the pitches of the strings. It looks like big circle was designed to raise strings 2, 3, 5, and 6 consistent with a E major to A major change (E, B, G#, E, B, G#) to (E, C#, A, E, C#, A). The small circle I am not so sure of. It only acts on strings three and six. Also there is a spring underneath the lever that looks like it is working to keep the strings up. Too me, it looks like it is a lower perhaps to E minor (E, B, G, E, B, G).
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Bud Angelotti


From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
Post  Posted 11 Aug 2024 1:02 pm    
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Looks pretty elaborate for a one off.
From Upper Darby Pa.too.
You know who's from Upper Darby?
W.C. Fields.
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Bill Groner


From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
Post  Posted 11 Aug 2024 1:19 pm    
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Quote:
You know who's from Upper Darby?
W.C. Fields.


AND...Tina Fey, singer songwriter Jim Croce, instrumentalist Todd Rungren
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Anthony Maurer

 

From:
Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 11 Aug 2024 3:02 pm    
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Is there a patent number anywhere on it?
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Dan Kelly


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 12 Aug 2024 2:06 am    
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At any rate, nice clear photography. Good pics!
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 12 Aug 2024 3:17 am    
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I have never seen anything like this. Good mystery!
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Steven Wilson

 

From:
Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 12 Aug 2024 4:20 pm    
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Who made the guitar? The hardware looks like an early version of palm benders, but with the placement I can't imagine they were easy to use....
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Steven Wilson

 

From:
Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 12 Aug 2024 4:25 pm    
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Actually, when I zoom-in I see it is a National; maybe from the mid 30's. It's a cool instrument, but only you can judge functionality if those are benders....
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