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Author	Topic: Super Supro
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 02 June 2005 07:39 PM profile send email edit This just came today: It's in real nice condition, and everything works. I plugged it in to 2 Music Man HD130 212s, and what a sound! It just screams and cries like a baby . . More pics here. So when I heard what it could do, I couldn't resist - I went on eBay and "won" this D6 that had been taunting me for the last couple of days. It's missing the original knobs and the 1/4" jack "upgrade" is kind of right in the way, but hey - it has those pickups.
George Manno Member From: chicago	posted 02 June 2005 08:20 PM profile send email edit Looks cool. Treat it nice. GM
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 02 June 2005 08:42 PM profile send email edit Absolutely. Have you noticed how Supros have a robot face? How could anybody not be nice to a guitar with a face like that . . Siamese Supro-bots
Jeff Au Hoy Member From: Honolulu, Hawai'i	posted 02 June 2005 08:57 PM profile send email edit Coneheads! Nice condition. I bet you wont find a crack on them.....
Rick Aiello Member From: Berryville, VA USA	posted 03 June 2005 07:10 AM profile send email edit A guy emailed me ... sayin' one of his Supro magnets had been broken. I told him to send me it's sibling ... and I'll make a set of neodymium replacements. The mold is almost finished ... Those little magnets are very weak (when fully charged) ... compared to Fender trap magnets ... I'm gonna make him a set that match the original (300 gauss) ... and also make him a set about 800 gauss ... like a Fender's. Should be interesting ------------------ Aiello's House of Gauss My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
Michael Aspinwall Member From: Arizona, USA	posted 03 June 2005 10:01 AM profile send email edit Question for Rick Alexander--Do you have any idea what year that doubleneck was made? It's pritnear the same as mine 'cept for the finish (mines' white), the logo (mine's plastic), and the pickup covers (mine's got black plastic covers).....I've had mine about 20 years now but have never gotten a definitive fix on its approximate age. Thanks--
Richard Shatz Member From: Quincy, IL, United States	posted 03 June 2005 10:26 AM profile send email edit You can date Supros of this era by the serial number on the metal plate on the back of the instrument.
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 03 June 2005 11:04 AM profile send email edit quote: Coneheads! That's it! Beldar and whatsername . . quote: I'm gonna make him a set that match the original (300 gauss) ... and also make him a set about 800 gauss ... like a Fender's. That I'd like to hear! quote: Do you have any idea what year that doubleneck was made? The doubleneck was made in 1950 and the singleneck in 1948. quote: You can date Supros . . Here is the page. RA [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 03 June 2005 at 12:17 PM.]
Bill Leff Member From: Santa Cruz, CA, USA	posted 03 June 2005 01:03 PM profile send email edit The Coneheads were Beldar and Primat, and their daughter was Connie.
Dwayne Martineau Member From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	posted 03 June 2005 02:04 PM profile send email edit quote: Have you noticed how Supros have a robot face? Holy cow... that's exactly what I was about to write. You bought my guitar! I have the same model... its name is "Supro Brownbot." Mine's a 1954. I'm surprised how well the MOTS finish holds up on these things. Notice how it changes colour in different light? Seems to go from grey to milk-chocolate, with every shade of peach and purple in between. BTW, do you know the model name... is it a Clipper?
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 03 June 2005 03:43 PM profile send email edit Primat & Connie - yes, how could I forget? Thanks Bill! Dwayne, so you noticed it too. We are not alone - there are others . . Yes it sure does change color in different lights. I don't know the model name, it could be a Clipper. Good name for it, that's exactly what it does if you're not careful! I bet Brad knows . .
Tom Baylis Member From: Portland, Oregon	posted 03 June 2005 04:03 PM profile send email edit Those ARE screaming pickups. I love my '57. Rick - replacement magnets should be popular. Many of these old Supro pups seem to have missing or broken magnets, some replaced with wood...apparently some are not aware of how integral the magnets are to the output of these gems. Tom
Rick Aiello Member From: Berryville, VA USA	posted 03 June 2005 04:18 PM profile send email edit Yep ... I've remagnetized a ton of these little rascals for folks. I always like to get my remags back to the owners within' a day or two ... so I've never had one here long enough to make a mold ... till now. Because of their "set-up" ... basically identical to Fender Traps/Boxcars (magnet wise anyway) ... they are prone to rapid degaussing. I like tryin' to get neodymium to "behave itself" ... and in such a tiny unit ... it's gonna be fun (I'm easily amused). ------------------ Aiello's House of Gauss My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 04 June 2005 07:33 PM profile send email edit [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 07 September 2005 at 07:33 AM.]
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 07 September 2005 06:38 AM profile send email edit The white ones are both McKinneys and the brown ones are Supros (same thing). The one on the left has Rick's NIBs in it, and it kicks like a wild stallion. The Dual 6 has Rick's remags in it and it sounds beautiful now - nice and strong. Soon they'll all have either remags or NIBs. Tunings from left to right: low bass G - high C6 - C6/A7 - E The D6 is tuned to high bass G and E7.
John Billings Member From: Northfield Center, Ohio, USA	posted 07 September 2005 08:09 AM profile send email edit "May you snarfle the Garthok!" I had one of these in white. It had a little plate that said Diana as the model. I have never understood this, as everthing I've seen indicates that it was not a Diana. I sold it when I bought my Airline Rocket.
Craig Prior Member From: National City, California, USA	posted 07 September 2005 08:14 AM profile send email edit Supro-cali-frajalistic-expi-alla-docious!!
HowardR Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.	posted 07 September 2005 08:54 AM profile send email edit Hmmmm, mother of toilet seat in brown...
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 07 September 2005 08:57 AM profile send email edit quote: I have never understood this, as everthing I've seen indicates that it was not a Diana. Valco made their identical guitars for different companies - Oahu, Gretsch, Alkire, Sears, Airline, McKinney and others. They also had several brand names of their own that they used for the same guitars - National, Supro, Valco, Regal etc. quote: mother of toilet seat in brown... Yes, a choice of brown or yellow. I just had to get both . . [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 07 September 2005 at 09:04 AM.]
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 07 September 2005 09:28 AM profile send email edit Okay, what do you think about this: The D6 came knobless, and I couldn't find exact replacements - the local hardware store was fresh out of bakelite knobs. So we put tele knobs on it just to get it happening. Well, the tele knobs work way better for FX - swells, boowahs and so on. So the thought occurs to replace all the knobs with tele knobs for the functionality they provide and put the bakelites in a safe place. So the question is: Would that be out and out heresy or mere political incorrectness?
HowardR Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.	posted 07 September 2005 09:34 AM profile send email edit "Do that which makes you happy"....
Al Marcus Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA	posted 07 September 2005 10:42 AM profile send email edit I had a Supro 6 string as my very first electric guitar in about 1936. Good little guitar. I played in many neighborhood bars in Cleveland, Ohio in those early days. Made money with it too. It served me very well for a about 1 year, then I upgraded to a National New Yorker 6 string. Then I traded up for a D8 Vega(that is on my website)......al ------------------ My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 07 September 2005 11:15 AM profile send email edit Yeah, I guess a few of the all time greats started with Supros. Jody Carver's first steel was a Supro, and Herb Remington had an Oahu that was probably made by Valco. I saw a 30s price list somewhere and they cost about $29 back then . . New Yorkers are real nice, they seem to have a smoother sound and feel. I have a '47 6 string and a 30s 8 string. The 8 string only had 1 magnet when I got it and it didn't sound so great until I put a set of NIBs in it. Now it sounds unbelievably sweet - I put high C6 tuning on it. That Vega looks pretty cool! [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 07 September 2005 at 01:39 PM.]
Paul Arntson Member From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)	posted 07 September 2005 01:14 PM profile send email edit I love my 49 Clipper. Wouldn't be without it.
Bill Creller Member From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA	posted 07 September 2005 05:59 PM profile send email edit Political correctness sucks, but as long as you save the original parts, why not!! The National New Yorkers are beautiful guitars. I have a 1950 I bought new. [This message was edited by Bill Creller on 07 September 2005 at 06:03 PM.]
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 07 September 2005 07:18 PM profile send email edit Well I sure would keep those bakelite knobs in a safe place. Howard & Bill - thanks for the input on that subject. So can you fellers post some pics of your Supros, Nationals etc? If not, you can send them to me and I'd be happy to post them. It could be a real [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 07 September 2005 at 07:19 PM.]
George Keoki Lake Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada	posted 07 September 2005 07:55 PM profile edit Perhaps many of you are too young to recall that the SUPRO, while being an excellent guitar, was always considered to be just a student model in its day. I sold a pile of these guitars back in the early fifties mostly to students while the pro's of the day went for the Gibson or Nationals.
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 08 September 2005 05:45 AM profile send email edit Keoki, I bet George Beauchamp never dreamed that those student guitars they were making in the 30s. 40s & 50s would become sought after by rock and blues type players because of their less then squeaky clean sound. Come to think of it, I bet he never dreamed of rock music period. It's fortunate for us that these guitars were considered student models - that's probably why they are as plentiful and affordable as they are. So when you were selling them in the early 50s, what was the going price then?
George Keoki Lake Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada	posted 08 September 2005 07:45 AM profile edit That's over 50 years ago...I seem to recall they were around $85.00 which was a fair sum of money back in those days. Many student guitars being made today are built so very cheaply, ie: one control, painted frets, plank of wood, cheap p/u, etc. 50 years ago, the word "quality" seemed ever present even in so-called "student" guitars which, when compared with todays "student" guitars, in reality deserve to be rated closer to "professional". Yes, I agree, those old SUPRO'S which we once considered cheap have gained new fans today! There's lots of SUPROS out there, many probably long gone forgotten by former students and gathering dust in attics or closets. I found one 8 years ago at a garage sale, full of dust, no strings and got it for $15.00
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 08 September 2005 08:47 AM profile send email edit
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 08 September 2005 09:49 AM profile send email edit Here's a pic of John Billings' Airline Rocket and Dynacord Cora - Thanks John!
Jody Carver Member From: The Knight Of Fender Tweed. Dodger Blue Forever	posted 09 September 2005 06:06 PM profile edit Wow My very first steel guitar, the same guitar I spoke about in the story of "The Frets Of My Life" a great little guitar and a lot of memories for me. This was long before my Fender days, sure would like to have those memories back and my Supro. Thanks for the memories Rick
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 09 September 2005 07:00 PM profile send email edit They really are great Jody, and I'd sure like to hear you cut loose on one. I'll share - you know where I live.
Gary Boyett Member From: Colorado	posted 09 September 2005 07:04 PM profile send email edit Wow! Souped-up Supro's. What will Rick come up with next? Fabulous Fenders? Rockin' Remmington's? Streakin' Stringmasters? I think you could put one of Rick Aielo's pup's on the kitchen sink and it would rock! You just never know what Rockin Rick will find hiden in dark closets throughout this earth and beyond. One sad note: How many Supro's and other great (and not so great) steels got wiped-out in the Gulf Hurricane?
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 09 September 2005 11:13 PM profile send email edit hundreds
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 11 September 2005 12:06 PM profile send email edit The 8 string has Rick's NIBs in it. It sure sounds different than the McKinney with the NIBs - the NYer is super sweet and clean and the McKinney . . isn't. The best of both worlds with the same magnets!
Al Marcus Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA	posted 11 September 2005 07:41 PM profile send email edit Rick-that looks just like the National New Yorker I had in a single neck. I traded my my Supro for it.. I got my Supro by taking lessons for $1.50 one a week for 60 weeks and the guitar was mine. George Keoki was right about the Supro, It was about the lowest price entry level guitar in 1936. But it got me going. Then I traded the New Yorker for the Vega D8 console.(on my website) That was great having two necks and 8 strings.Those were the days...al ------------------ My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 17 September 2005 07:16 PM profile send email edit Suprobots [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 17 September 2005 at 09:45 PM.]