1940 National New Yorker Lap Steel Hawaiian Guitar, Rare Version with Geib Case

(portions of this copy courtesy of my friend Andy Marshall of THD, used with permission)

Up for sale is my super rare National No. 70 New Yorker Model Hawaiian lap steel guitar, most likely built in late 1940, but possibly in early 1941. (The serial number “5xxG” only gets us to that level of accuracy.)

If you are into National steel guitars, then this is the one you want !

National made many variations of this guitar over the years, with different appointments, different tuning machines, different pickups, different tone controls, etc.… All were interesting, but not all of them sounded especially good. I have owned a dozen or so over the years, and have played a hundred or so more, but this is the only one I have ever encountered with this exact pickup and only 6 strings.

The consensus is that this string-through pickup is the best-sounding of the many pickup types used over the years, and I must agree. Most of the pickup types used were very “woofy” and “wooly” sounding, with little in the way of top-end detail. While this may have been desirable at the time, most players these days are looking for a sound with more harmonic content, and a higher-output pickup than most of the New Yorkers had.

The most common version of this string-through pickup has two coils, one for the lower three strings, and one for the upper three strings, and has the adjustable pole pieces grouped in threes up-up-up-down-down-down. The earlier, rarer version, which this guitar has, has six individual coils, one for each string, and the adjustable pole pieces are staggered up-down-up-down-up-down. While I have seen this pickup on other National/Supro/Valco models, this is the only one I am aware of that was used on a New Yorker. Some of the early 1940s 7-string New Yorkers used a 7-string version of this pickup, but I have searched high and low, and cannot find any mention, nor any photographs of another 6-string New Yorker with this version of the pickup. It may have been a special-order, or a prototype, or just something built to fill an order when there was nothing else available. I am not claiming that this is the only one of its kind, only that they are rare to the point that countless hours of internet searching have turned up few other examples.

A few months ago, I found a website with what claimed to be a complete list of the various versions of the National New Yorker model, but it did not list this variant.

Overall, the guitar is in excellent condition, especially considering that it is 77 years old. Even the original tweed-covered Geib case is in great shape. 

The original tuning machines have been cleaned and lubricated, and are very smooth.

The scale length is 23”.

This is, without a doubt, the best-sounding National New Yorker I have ever played.

To hear a sound clip I recorded of this delightful instrument, please click NYDemo.mp3. I am playing through a 1961 Gibson Discoverer amp, with no effects. I used two microphones set about 18” apart, in front of the instrument. There are no effects. To get the best possible idea of the instrument’s sound and “presence”, I recommend listening with headphones or very good speakers. The recording was done at my desk, and does not do justice to the instrument, but it gives you an idea of the ballpark we are talking about. Please also forgive the playing. I seriously haven’t played in almost three years, and it shows.

As stated, it comes with its original Geib hard shell case, and a like new Audio-Technica 20-25 cord, as well as the original.

TERMS, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Buyer pays selling price plus shipping and insurance. I typically ship with USPS or UPS, though other arrangements can be made at the buyers request. No fee is charged for packing or handling. I will gladly ship anywhere in the world,  international shipping charges can be steep, and the buyer is responsible for all duties, taxes, VAT, brokerage and storage fees on their end. Please contact me with any questions.

Low start price, no reserve !!

 

!!   PLAY IT LOUD   !!

low cost, secure shipping to the lower 48 ! 

check my feedback & bid with confidence !!

international bidders, write for shipping quote !!!

 

Still not sure ?? Check my recent feedback !! (OK, some is not recent, cuz ebay truly sucks now !!)

Awesome amp,tone monster as described! Excellent communication...Thanks again!Buyer: beauportbeach ( 274) During past month 1951 NATIONAL/VALCO rare Tube Harp/ Lap/ Guitar amplifier ~ !! REDUCED !! (#122310321320)US $699.00View Item

A+ seller. Item exactly as described. Fast shipper. Would buy from again. ThanksBuyer: derefordy ( 1 ) During past month 80s MIJ FENDER CONTEMPORARY HH STRAT w SYSTEM ONE 1 & TBX ~ VGC !! ~REDUCED !!! (#112120015944)US $689.00Fender Champ Lap Steel Guitar .. great instrument .. rare in europe .. thanksBuyer: hel2001 ( 198) During past month 1960 Fender Champ Lap Steel Guitar w OHSC ~ VGC !! (#111957803003)US $899.00View ItemAwesome - Neighborhood Nightmare - Thx U Marko !!Buyer: carrera911carrera ( 144) During past month NIB Phonic Safari 2000 SYS 1 ~ 200 Watt Mobile PA System w 2-Channel Mixer ~ NEW (#111940465936)US $179.00

love this thing. built a custom table for it, playing it standing up. it rules

Buyer:

Member id zachary.infante2012 ( Feedback Score Of 2 )

Sep-11-12 12:44

 

► FENDER CHAMP lap steel vintage 1960 w OHSC ~ very good condition ! (#110936607558)

Item exactly as described. Thanks!

Buyer:

Member id jupiteraries52 ( Feedback Score Of 77 )

Aug-08-12 06:56

 

♫ FENDER Heartfield TALON 2 ~1991 MIJ SuperFastSuperCool Fujigen shredder~EXC ! (#120937040344)

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Wow - What a gorgeous guitar! Very acurate photos and description - Great***

Buyer:

Member id stomp4christ ( Feedback Score Of 135 )

Mar-23-12 13:55

 

► FENDER Strat 2009 Sienna Burst USA Standard Stratocaster w OHSC ~ MINT ! (#120867949140)

US $1,101.00

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great guitar absolutely mint, highly recommended, + quick postage ++++

Buyer:

Member id threecav30a ( Feedback Score Of 381 )

Feb-21-12 17:05

 

FENDER Strat 1993 MIJ Japan Stratocaster w OHSC ~ MINT ! (#120851395891)

US $657.00

THE TRANSACTION WAS SMOOTH AND PRODUCT WAS IN EXACT CONDITION AS PROMISED.

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Member id markmarkpayton ( Feedback Score Of 23 )

Feb-06-12 16:50

 

FENDER Strat 1987 MIJ E series Contemporary Japan Stratocaster w OHSC ~nr MINT ! (#110799070490)

US $539.00

A++++ quality!!! Packed well arrived promptly. Exceeded expectations!!!

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Member id sppxx ( Feedback Score Of 103 )

Jan-12-12 22:15

 

♫ vintage 1985 FENDER E series MIJ Contemporary Japan TELEcaster ~ Good Cond ! (#110792652193)

US $700.00

Excellent to work with. Will buy from again. Very pleasant experience.

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Member id parakeet682 ( Feedback Score Of 32 )

Jan-05-12 20:05

 

♫ FENDER Strat 1993 40th Anniversary USA Stratocaster ~ a classic player ! (#110789099979)

US $799.00

Everything great as promised!

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Member id 505dee ( Feedback Score Of 21 )

Dec-30-11 18:53

 

♫ PARKER P-42 ~no shi* ! ~ the BEST of the imported PARKERS !! (#110777058089

Amp arrived as described and sounds great! Great packing as well! Thanks! A+A+A+

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bufftele2003 ( 366 ) 

Dec-12-11 16:43

 

♫ GIBSON *rare* GA-20 vintage 1954 guitar/harp tube amp (#110787310976)

US $1,029.00

very nice seller five stars all the way would purchase from anytime thank you!!

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aaliyahv24 ( 87 ) 

Dec-11-11 16:57

 

♫ PARKER Maxx Fly DF422FR ~ USA made Floyd Rose ~ NEW ! ~ REDUCED ! GREAT GIFT ! (#110784391474)

US $719.00

Superb guitar, as promised. A1 seller.

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sidenick ( 55 ) 

Nov-10-11 20:13

 

♫ FENDER AERODYNE TELECASTER Deluxe ~ EXCELLENT !! (#110744992755)

US $709.00

 This guy is Awesome! Better than described A+++++

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rusty_mac1 ( 127 ) 

Oct-14-11 18:32

 

♫ FENDER USA 1993/4 Stratocaster ~ 40th Anniversary Strat ~ Mint !! (#110751142323)

US $779.00

This guy rocks!, beautiful guitar in nearly unused condition, I love it thanks!

Buyer: 

korbie_73 ( 20 ) 

Aug-17-11 23:04