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072504
1953 National / Valco / Supro 'El Grande'

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PREVIOUS OWNER REPORTS:  EL GRANDE LAP STEEL six-string (steel) guitar. This is an old piece and I believe it was made by the same company (Chicago Publishing Company) that made the OAHU that I sold last year because it looks exactly the same except the other one was black. There is paint missing and the chrome has some pitting. Tuners are replacements but it stays in tune and does play well. The pickup is a bit weak in the bass side but it works. Both control knobs (1 volume, 1 tone) work.

DENNY'S NOTE:  The previous owner is mistaken;  This Steel was made by Supro / Valco and not CPC.  The tuners are aslo original and in Very Good to Excellent condition, needing some rather easy surface corrosion clean-up.  I did not find a "weak bass side" signal upon testing this Steel.

The tone of National / Valco pickups on this Steel are legendary. ~~~~~~~  The tone of painted wood Steels is noticeably (but not exceptionally) more resonant than Steels with the MOTS finishes, ....imho.  Paint finished wood Valco's are much more rare than their more common MOTS finishes. ~~~~~~~  Notice the National "totem wing" fretboard markers. ~~~~~~~  The heavily "patinaed" finish on this Steel makes it a good candidate for a refinish, custom or WELL "patinaed" opportunity, ...or other mods that might be desired;  An opportunity that would be a "sin" with an instrument that had a good vintage finish.  If this Steel is still around when I get the time, I will surely do a refin to make this a truely remarkable Steel.  :~)
072504
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