The British Steelies Society

Has anyone had any experience of the National Grand Console twin 8 and idea of price. Also how does it stand against the Fender.

A friend of mine has one and I also brought one back from America a few years back for someone else and they both love them. They are nice guitars and very pretty. Not in love with vintage tuners with plastic buttons (my Gibson came with those and I had to replace them as they were way too fragile).
The pickups are good and full sounding.
The only downside is that some of them use a weird screw connector for the cable, but you can get adapters or even change it for a regular jack so not too much of a problem.

There's one up on Ebay right now for £1050 but for that price you could buy a double 8 Fender which would be my preference, but if you prefer the look of the National, you won't be disappointed. I think the Fenders are more solidly built if you're thinking of doing a lot of gigging with it.

To me the Fender models (or Gibson Console Grande) are the classic double 8 guitars but the Nationals and Rickenbackers are really cool too. Never met a vintage steel I didn't like

The one on Ebay is the one I was looking at unless of course someone has a twin fender. JD are you listening.

Hi Mick,

I've got an early 50s Grand Console coming in to me in around a months time. Last one I had was in a fairly well used condition and was sold for £600. This one would be more but still sub £1000.

If you don't go for the one on eBay send me a private message and I'll make sure you get first refusal on this one when it comes in.

Best,
Joe.

PM sent

Always triple check the tuning machines on those old steels. Replacement tuning machines aren't readily available especially here in the UK.

And I find older single and double neck console steels are pretty darn heavy.

I have one that I paid £250 for a few years ago which I thought was a bit of a bargain. I like mine its the 1051 model with legs, the tuner buttons need replacing and it has burn marks where people have left cigarettes to burn away! Quite a mellow sound even on the bright setting and the back neck is hotter than the front neck so you have to mess with the volume a bit. I have A6th on the front E9th on the back which I occasionaly retune to C6th and E13th.
I think a grand is a bit much for one of these but they are only going to go up in value I think. £600-700 I'd say was a more realistic price but what do I know

Having a dull sound on one neck was quite common with double neck vintage lap steels but you nailed it. Traditionally a higher tuning was placed on the dull neck to brighten it up a bit. Eg E9th and the C6 was placed on the brighter neck.