Fender Champion Lap steel, early '50s

[Jimbilly]

I should probably let you guys know about this, I put it on Craigs for trade, -and you can imagine some of the crap I've been offered, but I expected that.

If you're a lurker I don't really want to hear from you (sorry), HFCrs with actual posting history only pls.

I'll get actual pic links posted soon.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/msg/884202040.html

[Ted]

I should probably let you guys know about this, I put it on Craigs for trade, -and you can imagine some of the crap I've been offered, but I expected that.

If you're a lurker I don't really want to hear from you (sorry), HFCrs with actual posting history only pls.

I'll get actual pic links posted soon.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/msg/884202040.html

JimBilly,

If I had the extra cash I'd probably try to pick it up.

What do you like better, Lap Steel or Pedal Steel? And rationale for both please.

[Jimbilly]

This is the only one I've had, -Ok I also have a '49 just like it but it needs some work. I never really figured out how to play it, I decided I'd better spend more time on the basics of guitar and bass before moving onto something else. I figure it's worth about $700, -you won't find many '50s Fenders in good shape for less than $1,000. It STRONGLY appears to be all original, including the case.

Oh, it is a 4 digit serial number as well, so I you can't afford a 4 digit Hamer, here's your chance.

[bizzwriter]

Do these guys use an old tele bridge pickup, or is the pickup unique to their lap steels?

[Jimbilly]

Unfortunately it is not a Tele pickup, there's just two mounting screw holes, both on the wire side. I imagine these would be more valuable if they used a real Tele pup.

[burningyen]

Are there stands made for these, or is that only for pedal steels? Also, how does it sound relative to a Fender 1000 pedal steel? I'm thinking of adding a steel for my Floyd band but have no idea how the different models sound.

[Jimbilly]

Good questions, -I don't know. I was just watching Delicate Sound of Thunder yesterday, this looks a bit like whatever David Gilmore is playing (similar 'fret' markers), also a 6 string. This one reads about 8.1 ohms through a short cable in the output jack, if that means anything to you about how 'hot' it might be.

[Michael]

The pickup in that lap steel is a Broadcaster pickup without the base plate, a modification that can be fairly easily done by someone with skills. I put together a homebrew Telecaster using USACG wood and most of the hardware from a MIM `50's Telecaster. For the bridge pickup, I used the one from my Champion steel, modded to fit. I figured the pickup would get used more in a guitar, and the pickup I had put in the steel was a stock Tele pickup with the plate removed. I wouldn't mess with an original steel in the kind of shape yours is in, but mine was in less than stellar shape to begin with. Besides, there are so many good "vintage" style Tele pickups you don't need to cannibalize a vintage instrument for that tone. I must admit though, mine sounds just as I'd hoped, crisp at lower volume, and snarly as you crank it up.