Double lap steel guitar and Peavey Vegas 400

[CANEX]

Hi, I aquired a Cliffor Essex double lap steel guitar last year and would like to know if anyone knows what it's worth - or is interested.
I don't know anything about it really, I emailed Clifford Essex who recognised it as a 'Twin 6 HSG' but they can't find any literature on it as to date of manufacture etc.
It is a one piece base (although it looks like two from the top) and has a carry case.
I also have an excellent condition Peavey Vegas 400 which I think go for about £200?



any coments gratefully received or you can call me on 01543570990 during the day.

cheers
Chris

[bazzrd9th]

Hi Chris
Regarding your lap steel.
It's certainly a quality instrument. The two black knobs aren't original. If you take the covers off the peghead and look at the machine pegs, the kidney shaped buttons look like 30's grovers to me. So that would suggest a late thirties or early forties guitar. Is there a makers plaque anywhere underneath or on the guitar anywhere ?. If it says Clifford Essex on it there should also be an address. You can date the guitar by the address: ie

1900 - 1919 CLIFFORD ESSEX & CO 15a Grafton Street
1919 - 1936 CLIFFORD ESSEX & SON 15a Grafton Street
1936 - 1942 CLIFFORD ESSEX & SON LTD 90 Shaftsbury Ave.,
1942 - 1957 CLIFFORD ESSEX MUSIC CO. LTD 8 New Compton St.,
1957 - 1975 CLIFFORD ESSEX MUSIC CO. LTD 20 Earlham Street.

A lot of banjo and guitar companys produced other instruments in small numbers based on demand and one off requests and weren't specifically recorded.
Does everything function OK ? Also check the two pots and if they're CTS pots, they'll have a date code and any resistors will as well, though there's always a chance they're replacements, though type of resister and wire and solder joints will be a giveaway there. Are there any legs with it, if so it's probably post war unless they were added later. What sort og output socket has it, that will tell you a lot.

As long as it functions I would put the value at £300-£500.
It's a piece of English lap steel history and possibly an early one as pre-war there weren't many double necks made, which of course might suggest it's post war. It's a case of weighing up the style, fittings and maker and trying to fit it all together. You wont go far wrong doing that.
Beat of luck with it
Cheers
Barry

[CANEX]

Hi Barry,
thanks for your reply.
here is a picture of the rather worn Clifford Essex plaque:

and the output socket:

and the underneath with the larger cover removed:


Everything works fine - the pickups & volume controls. No legs - here is a picture of the underneath:


I am hoping to get around £400 for it??

many thanks
Chris

[CANEX]

sorry - seem to have lost the original photo's, here they are again:









cheers
Chris

[CANEX]

Here is the Peavey Vegas 400:



many thanks
Chris
01543 570990

[bazzrd9th]

Hi Chris
Going by the label I think it's a '42-'57. The XLR plug is a modern one, it probably replaced a scew on one, which was used just pre and post war, pre jack socket.
Around £400 would probably about right. I bet you wont see another one like it. It's a lovely piece of wood, probably mahoganny.
Cheers
Barry

[CANEX]

Thanks again Barry - just got to find it a good home now!

[CANEX]

No one interested???
I thought this was a forum for Steel guitar fans
No offers - or all you all skint - or isn't it your cup of tea?
I thought after more than 100 views more than one person would have a comment
No offers on the Vegas either?

I'm in the Midlands if anyone wants to come & have a look: Cannock WS11 4AH

cheers
Chris

[CANEX]

Hi Chris
Going by the label I think it's a '42-'57. The XLR plug is a modern one, it probably replaced a scew on one, which was used just pre and post war, pre jack socket.
Around £400 would probably about right. I bet you wont see another one like it. It's a lovely piece of wood, probably mahoganny.
Cheers
Barry

You're definitly right about the XLR plug Barry - it got phillips screws!!!

[bob adams]

That's a sweet amp for the money Chris, I'm sure it will be snapped up soon.(I use the Session 500)
I saw a Vegas 400 in the south a couple of months back priced at £350 ..