Magnatone Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1951)
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Item # 10743
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Magnatone Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1951), made in Los Angeles, serial # 38114, grey pearloid finish, hardwood body, original brown alligator chipboard case.
This instrument is the typical early 1950s student-grade Magnatone, often also encountered labeled with the earlier Dickerson brand. It is a simple but stylish piece with mottled grey pearloid covering the entire body. The fingerboard is a gold and white transfer directly on the top. Volume and tone controls with white plastic knobs are provided on lower treble bout. The instrument strings through body, with an aluminum nut and bridge. The pickup mounted sunken into the wood body covered by a chrome handrest.
The enclosed Kluson Deluxe tuners are the same Safe-T-Slot models used at the time on the Fender Champion, with white plastic buttons. A serial number plate is pinned to the back of the headstock; the visible pot date is to the 22nd week of 1951. The body is sculpted with an unusual multi-level top contour featuring a wide ridge on the bass bout of the body and a "dish" under the strings. While basic in the extreme this is a very attractive and flashy '50s steel, complete with original alligator grain chipboard case.
Overall length is 29.5 in. (74.9 cm.), 7.75 in. (19.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1.75 in. (4.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 28.5 in. (724 mm.).
This steel remains all original in fine condition overall, showing some minor wear overall and some light tarnish to metal parts. The tone control shaft is bent slightly inwards but works as intended. The tuner buttons have been replaced but all else remains original. This is a good sounding pickup, not the hottest single-coil but bright and even. These steels were definitely built to a budget and shielding/grounding is a bit spotty, so some buzz is germane. The chipboard case is more-or-less functional with average minor wear and repairs to the hinges. Excellent Condition.
This instrument is the typical early 1950s student-grade Magnatone, often also encountered labeled with the earlier Dickerson brand. It is a simple but stylish piece with mottled grey pearloid covering the entire body. The fingerboard is a gold and white transfer directly on the top. Volume and tone controls with white plastic knobs are provided on lower treble bout. The instrument strings through body, with an aluminum nut and bridge. The pickup mounted sunken into the wood body covered by a chrome handrest.
The enclosed Kluson Deluxe tuners are the same Safe-T-Slot models used at the time on the Fender Champion, with white plastic buttons. A serial number plate is pinned to the back of the headstock; the visible pot date is to the 22nd week of 1951. The body is sculpted with an unusual multi-level top contour featuring a wide ridge on the bass bout of the body and a "dish" under the strings. While basic in the extreme this is a very attractive and flashy '50s steel, complete with original alligator grain chipboard case.
Overall length is 29.5 in. (74.9 cm.), 7.75 in. (19.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1.75 in. (4.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 28.5 in. (724 mm.).
This steel remains all original in fine condition overall, showing some minor wear overall and some light tarnish to metal parts. The tone control shaft is bent slightly inwards but works as intended. The tuner buttons have been replaced but all else remains original. This is a good sounding pickup, not the hottest single-coil but bright and even. These steels were definitely built to a budget and shielding/grounding is a bit spotty, so some buzz is germane. The chipboard case is more-or-less functional with average minor wear and repairs to the hinges. Excellent Condition.