Used Vintage 1947 National Model 75 New Yorker Lap Steel – Empire State Building

Sonic Evaluation

Wildwoodians, I had to have my coworker play this National New Yorker for this evaluation (laps steels are more like crap steels in my hands), and I expected it to sound good, but I didn't expect it to sound so amazing it gave me chills! The three settings (harp, Hawaiian, and chimes) are all iconic--pretty much the three tones you imagine in your head when someone says "lap steel." The Chimes setting is full-bodied, lively, and robust, with tons of sweet overtones and powerful resonance across the board in the lows, mids, and highs. The Harp setting is warm and throaty, with a broad midrange response, deep low-end, and righteously smooth highs. The Hawaiian setting is pretty much the exact midpoint between those tones--Goldilocks Mode engaged!

However, descriptions of frequency response profiles don't really do this instrument justice. It has the power to evoke place, time, and feeling in an almost cinematic way, and it sings like a blues singer of yore. Guitar players have been ripping the pickups out of old National lap steels for decades, and after roughly 2.5 seconds of hearing this serial, you'll understand why! If you're already a lap steel player, this guitar will be a formidable tool, but it's also an exceptional value, so it would make an incredible instrument to learn the trade with, too. Either way, I have no doubt this New Yorker will inspire you endlessly!

Condition Report

This is a super-clean example of a National Lap Steel! It has some war wound (some bumps and scratches, a few chips and some spots that have been touched up), and it appears to be 99.9% original. The only non-original part is the nut, which has been somewhat inexpertly glued-in. It comes with its original hardshell case, some awesome old picks and slides, and a screw-in cable, too!

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