| Author |
Topic: Help me identify this lap steel |
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 20 Jan 2019 9:53 am |
|
I've search on the web but couldn't find anything with the same shape and crackle finish. It says Regal on the headstock and the headstock shape seems right. It feels like it's made from cheap wood like a danelectro guitar. It's probably some kind of student model.
I know the pickup and metal plate aren't original. And the bridge looks like someone added a metal rod to raise the action. Even if it was in pristine shape, I'm sure it wouldn't be worth much. I'd just like to figure out what it is.
Last edited by Carey Jolliffe on 20 Jan 2019 10:42 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
 |
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 20 Jan 2019 9:55 am
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 20 Jan 2019 9:56 am
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 20 Jan 2019 9:57 am
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 20 Jan 2019 9:58 am
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 20 Jan 2019 9:59 am
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 20 Jan 2019 10:00 am
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 20 Jan 2019 10:03 am
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Bryan Martin
From:
Quebec, Canada
|
Posted 21 Jan 2019 4:27 pm
|
|
I would bet the pickup and guard were added by a previous owner. It has the shape of a Chicagoan, but is likely a modified Vega.
Cheers, Bryan |
|
|
|
Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
|
Posted 21 Jan 2019 5:23 pm
|
|
| No part of this steel came from Vega. |
|
|
|
Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
|
Posted 21 Jan 2019 6:33 pm
|
|
"It says Regal on the headstock and the headstock shape seems right."
I think you answered your own question. The decal looks original over what must be the original finish. Headstock and decal look the same as my MOTS Regal model. I don't think there's much motive to forge a Regal decal. Mods are as you noted. I think the tuners are replacements also. The body shape is somewhat similar to a National Chicagoan, as Bryan noted, but without the little "nibs" on the shoulders that a Chicagoan would have. The numbers on the fretboard would indicate that you are correct about it being a student model. |
|
|
|
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
|
Posted 21 Jan 2019 6:38 pm
|
|
| I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and suggest it's a Regal that through the years acquired a bunch of aftermarket and/or homemade parts. Similar bridges (sans the chunk of rod) were installed on postwar Kay lap steels. The tuners look like generic Japanese imports circa 1970s. |
|
|
|
Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
|
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 23 Jan 2019 10:20 am
|
|
Thanks. Yeah, same finish and fret markers. Do you think mine is also from the 40s? Not that I think it's worth anything (because of all the mods), I'd just like to figure out what it is. |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 23 Jan 2019 10:30 am
|
|
| Bill Sinclair wrote: |
| The body shape is somewhat similar to a National Chicagoan, as Bryan noted, but without the little "nibs" on the shoulders that a Chicagoan would have. |
Thanks. Yeah, I haven't found a picture of anything with the same shape. I'd just like to find out what the heck it is. Or at least, what time period it's from.
I don't mind the mods. That means I can make my own mods and not feel guilty. |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 23 Jan 2019 10:34 am
|
|
| Jack Hanson wrote: |
| I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and suggest it's a Regal that through the years acquired a bunch of aftermarket and/or homemade parts. Similar bridges (sans the chunk of rod) were installed on postwar Kay lap steels. The tuners look like generic Japanese imports circa 1970s. |
That's about what I figured. Thanks. I'll probably upgrade the tuners and pickguard. Maybe add some kind of bridge cover. |
|
|
|
Carey Jolliffe
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 23 Jan 2019 10:34 am
|
|
Thanks for all the replies, guys!  |
|
|
|
Bryan Martin
From:
Quebec, Canada
|
Posted 23 Jan 2019 8:00 pm
|
|
Sorry, I meant to say Regal, I had been reading about Vega instruments and had all those old brand names on the brain.
Cheers, Bryan |
|
|
|
