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Topic: My New Toy |
Richard Sevigny
From:
Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 3:35 pm |
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Just received this off eBay today. It's a McKinney, serial # dates it to 1949.
It complete except for electronics (does have the original jack, and two mismatched bakelite knobs found under the plate, a round and a chicken-head) and nut. I'm tempted to stuff a P-13 pickup in it though that will entail some routing and I'm concerned it may affect the value of the instrument.
Any comments?
Richard[This message was edited by Richard Sevigny on 11 October 2005 at 04:37 PM.] |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 6:01 pm
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Richard, welcome the coolest forum on the planet.
The string-through pickup is the best thing about these great guitars. Changing out the pickup would be a huge mistake.
Those pickups have 2 coils underneath and 2 magnets one on each side. The 2 coils keep it nice and quiet and the 2 magnets give it a kick like a mule. Pretty remarkable when you consider the fact that these pickups predate humbuckers by several years. If the magnets have degaussed over the years you can get them remag-ed.
Removing the pickup would not only lower the value, it would be a sacrilege. You won't find a better pickup for this guitar. I collect, restore and play these guitars and I've replaced tuners, pots, magnets when neccesary - but the pickups are all original.
more pics here
RA |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 6:05 pm
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Ooooops - wait a minute! No pickup, eh? duh . .
That's a shame. 
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 6:54 pm
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Too bad about the missing pickup. Some Ry Cooder wannabe probably has it installed in his Fender Squire.
The knobs are almost certainly original and will fit back on whatever tone and volume controls you put in there. I believe the round knob goes on the treble side.
This looks just like the Supro Supreme of that era. The serial number should be between V15000 and V25000.
I agree that if possible you should avoid routing the body for a new pickup. Somebody out there has to have a replacement pickup that will fit it.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 11 October 2005 at 07:55 PM.] |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 7:04 pm
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I have a no-good Supro guitar that I'll probably never restore (some idiot took a chainsaw to it at some point and cut away 1/3 of the body.....).
The pickup is very weak, probably because one of the magnets has been replaced by a piece of wood, but I'm sure Rick Aiello can make you a new magnet and get the pickup hot and juicy again.
You can have it if you pay for the shipping,- you'll find my email address on my website.
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 7:15 pm
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That's a beautiful thing.
Rick Aiello's NIB replacements kick butt. I have them in one of my McKinneys and in my National New Yorker 8 string. |
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Richard Sevigny
From:
Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 7:41 pm
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Thanks for the replies, guys
Rick, you have a couple of dead ringers for the one I have. Gotta love the MOTS 
Brad, the SN is V22*** which is how I came to the conclusion.
Steinar, there should be an email heading your way.
Cheers, Richard |
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Marvin Erickson
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 8:27 pm
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| Richard, A shame about the pickup. Just baught a National from Ebay w/same style pickup. Valco made a lot of these under various brand names. That pickup would be worth replacing if you can find one. Good luck....Marv |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 9:18 pm
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Richard, all you need now is new Kluson tuners and you'll have a mighty fine little guitar.
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Richard Sevigny
From:
Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
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Posted 11 Oct 2005 9:43 pm
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| Rick, the Klusons that are on it seem to work OK. I cleaned 'em up, put new tuner buttons on, and put a drop of light oil on the gears and they seem to turn freely. I'll see if they stay in tune once I cut a nut I string 'er up. |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 2:51 pm
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That's cool!  You're going to love this guitar once you get it all put together. |
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