Electric Hawaiian guitar
ALTERNATE NAME(S)
- Lap steel guitar
Date1938 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America
ModelNational New Yorker
Serial No.None
SignedLocated on pegbox: NATIONAL. This is enclosed in a rectangle that is positioned diagonally across a shield. The shield has three vertical lines underneath it.Located on peg covers on back of peghead: NATIONAL. This is enclosed in a ribbon banner. The text is positioned diagonally across a shield.DescriptionHawaiian-style guitars enabled makers to experiment with eye-catching outlines without concern for ergonomics. The New Yorker draws style inspiration from the Art Deco architecture of the 1930s, with a “stair-step” element for the body and strong, graphic black and white tones.
Characteristic: electric
Maker: National
Date: ca. 1938 (see George Gruhn appraisal).
National New Yorker model lap steel guitar. Wood with "Black Velvet" finish (see photocopy from 1940 National Dobro catalog). Nickel covers over pegs (see 1938 National catalog). Six strings (1938 catalog lists seven and eight string models). square of rubber attached to back, one black plastic knob, one white plastic knob pointing to three sound choices: Hawaiian, chimes, harp. Roman numerals correspond to fret numbers on fingerboard.DimensionsHeight: 32 in (813 mm)
Body width: 7 in (175 mm)
Fingerboard length: 20.25" (515 mm)
Vibrating string length: 20 5/6" (523 mm)ProvenancePreviously a part of the Walter Carter Collection.
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 1999
Object number06758
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