Late 30's (?) Epiphone Electar steel's worth?

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

I was at a gig last night, and the host for the swing dance we played knew I played lapsteel, and brought along a friend's sunburst Epiphone Electar 6-string lapsteel. I didn't have the chance to really play it (it only had the four lower strings on it), and I didn't have my round bar. It did have a couple old flat slide in the case though, and I got to slide on it for only a couple minutes.

It has one scratchy volume pot (with missing knob), and no tone knob on this model. The back of the headstock lists all the patent numbers. The Grover tuners were in fine shape. The body reminded me of an EH150 or similar, with a fabric "anti-slip" cover plate on the bottom side, which is how one gets to the electronics, I assume.

The pickup was a single coil eliptical shape with a single metal strip in the center of it, mounted from the back of the guitar. The bridge was a solid aluminum piece and is exposted, and appears that there wasn't ever any kind of cover to hide bridge or pickup, that I could tell.

The neck didn't have frets, but instead had what appeared to be inlayed stips instead. I notieced that the binding was starting to scallop (slightly pulling away from the neck) towards the 14th fret upwards, and the body had a few scratches here and there, but nothing too bad. It felt solid an in general good shape. The case was in good condition, too.

I don't have pics, but anyone have an approximate range of what this would sell for? He wants $350 for it, which seems high to me, but then again, I don't know this instrument or its history.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!
TJW

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Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Regal resonator (C6)

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Hi Todd,

In my opinion, your assessment seems about right. The EPi is probably worth less, maybe considerably less, than $350. The Epiphones aren't especially valued for collectability or playability/tone.

If you are looking for a steel that is more easily portable than those beautiful double and triple Stringmasters, there are plenty out there. Supro sixes are plentiful, cheap, and good players. A Fender DeLuxe 8 (there are a few 6-stringers too), although more pricey, has the appeal of having the same neck as your Stringmaster, albeit 22.5" scale. You can play it on legs, or throw it in a gig bag and play it on your lap. I wish I hadn't sold mine.

Say, are you going to the Orlando Guitar Show Saturday by any chance? I saw Dick Sanft there last year.

Keep up the great music.

Bob

Mike Neer · From: NJ

I think the Epiphone Model M (it's a hybrid--aluminum top secured to a wood body) is worth that much and even more and they sound real nice, but I don't feel the same about the lower models. I put a Rickenbacker horseshoe pickup (some even came stock with a horseshoe pup)in my Model M and it sounds fantastic.

basilh · From: United Kingdom

If it looks like this then it's about 1936, and is a model "C". and has a pickup very similar to the Gibson "CC" and is worth much more than the $350 asking price.. I should know, that picture is of mine serial number 608 .

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George Manno · From: chicago

I'd give $350 in a heartbeat. If he has a case I'd go $400.
These guitars sound GREAT!!!!!

G

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

Basil - that's almost exactly what it looks like. Same pickguard, color, all of it! The only thing is that it didn't have the second tone knob for some reason(?). Maybe they made a volume only version, too?

Hmmmmm... thank you for those beautiful pictures, too!

Hey Bob -- no, not going to that show, but... Dick and I have a gig on Monday at the Don CeSar Hotel down on Clearwater Beach. He's still in great (amazing, I should say) shape, and Ruth is doing fantastically, too.

We're playing a duo using his bass/rhythm guitar and uke tracks, as well as a bunch of mine. My trio, Haole Kats!!! is trying to put together a way to do a CD, backing up Dick on steel. We're not sure how we're going to finance it yet, but we feel a very strong need to do this project. Dick is going on 77, and he has told us he really likes playing with us.

Thanks again, everone, for your help! I think I may have to call that guy, and offer to buy it from him, even though I really don't have the kernal right now. Sometimes an opportunity comes along, and you either grab it or you don't.

TJW

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Make him an offer of $300 and start moving away from him. His heart will sink and he will say OK? I shouldn't do it but I will.

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Hi Todd,

Looks like I misjudged the Epiphone. I was unfamiliar with that model. Looking at Baz's photo, it seems like a guitar with great potential.

Good news about the possible project with Dick Sanft. I sure hope you can do it. He's a great musician and hasn't made a recording in years, to my knowledge. Yes, he does look amazingly well, but he is 77. Time's a-wasting. Go for it!

All the best,

Bob

Randy Reeves · From: LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA

I am a big fan of Epiphone lap steels. I have two . a19 39 Zephyr and a 1940 Century.
I had Lindy fralin rebuild the pickup on the Zephyr. it is my main ax now. what tone, what output. it has a sweet spot on the seventeenth fet. when played there it has a warm round tone. back towards the pup it roars when overdriven.

offer 300$. I paid 350 for each of mine. that seems to be the fair price. also seen that price in Vintage Guitar.here is a pic. the Zephyr is on the left.

Edited by Brad Bechtel to shrink the picture.

[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 27 January 2006 at 08:39 AM.]

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

The 2006 VG priceguide puts it at $350-$450.

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

Thanks, Donny. Yeah, I just talked to him. He's firm on $350, so I said I'LL TAKE IT! I'm going to go get it Monday, put fresh strings on it, clean it up, and give a good workout. The pickup seemed fine, but that volume pot is pretty scratchy.

Anyone know what to use to clean those up? Or, once they go scratchy, is it best to just replace?

Thanks again to all for the help!

TJW

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Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Regal resonator (C6)

basilh · From: United Kingdom

Congrats, you've bought a guitar with a "Classic" tone... just wait and see..

Todd, I've found that a little WD 40 or AP 75 usually frees and cleans up bad pots. FWIW.

If the Pick-up is a little weak, I think that Rick Aiello can do a "Job" on the magnet (It is detatchable) Magnets loose their power with age, but you'll find that the system on the model "C" is oh so similar to the Gibson 'CC" pick-up that Im surprised that there wasn't litigation from one or the other.

Keith Cordell · From: San Diego

Depending on whether it is a sealed pot, you can sometimes clean them with a product called De-Oxit or something like that; I can't find my can to confirm it. I have used it on a couple of old pots and it spiffs 'em right up!

Randy Reeves · From: LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA

Brad. thanks for resizing the pic.

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

If I can inside the pot, I use a product called Lube~Job for cleaning all types of electronic components! (Spray~Can)

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“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
’05 D–10 Derby
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