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Author	Topic: NATIONAL DYNAMIC
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 23 August 2006 04:49 PM profile send email edit I just got this National Dynamic from fellow forum member Bill Willingham, who is a real gentleman and a fine person to do business with. Except for the broken pickup cover, it's in excellent condition. I love it when I get a guitar shipped to me and it's in tune - E Maj tuning in this case. It sounds real good, it's a screamer . . I love the look of these guitars - in the 50s it was futuristic, now it's retro! More pics here. Does anyone else feel like posting pics of their Dynamic? Here's your chance! If you don't have a server handy, you could send me the pic and I'll host it and post it for you. RA BIG STEEL
Bill Creller Member From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA	posted 23 August 2006 07:47 PM profile send email edit I have never heard one of those guitars. That one looks pristine, and really cool.
Russ Young Member From: Seattle, Washington, USA	posted 23 August 2006 09:21 PM profile send email edit I've never owned a Dynamic, although I've come close a couple of times on eBay. So I'll have to offer up a couple of others': David Lindley's: Greg Leisz's: And Freddie Roulette's 8-string: [This message was edited by Russ Young on 23 August 2006 at 09:30 PM.]
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 23 August 2006 10:31 PM profile send email edit Bill, they don't seem to be as plentiful as some other National laps. This one is a pretty clean specimen. The SN is missing so I can't date it accurately, I think they were made in the 50s . . Very cool pics - thanks Russ! These are pics of Terry VunCannon and his Dynamics:
Steinar Gregertsen Member From: Arendal, Norway	posted 24 August 2006 03:48 AM profile edit Here are the two I've owned (sob sob... banging head against the wall....). The blonde one was actually labeled "Royal Aire" but it was definitely a National Dynamic. I have to get one of these again someday.... Steinar ------------------ "Play to express, not to impress" www.gregertsen.com Southern Moon Northern Lights
-Øystein Røysi Member From: Trondheim, Norway	posted 24 August 2006 03:48 AM profile send email edit Hi Rick, Congrats on your Dynamic! We're in the same boat. I took delivery of my Dynamic yesterday. I'm VERY new to lap steel, and to the forum, but I hope to learn. And from what I've read here so far, I'll be able to get lots of good help from the kind people here... I haven't got any pictures of my guitar, but I might get some later. I've decided to tune mine, L-H: A C# E F# A C# I really like the way the Dynamic sounds through my Koch Twintone II combo! Regards, Øystein ------------------ Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn (D), National Dynamic (A6)
Terry VunCannon Member From: Randleman, North Carolina, USA	posted 24 August 2006 07:36 AM profile edit Hey Rick...Thanks for posting my pictures...Sounds like you will love your Dynamic...The bottom picture is my Green & Off-white one that I had David Lindley autograph. He said it could be the twin to his & that I should never let it go...he said that the really good ones were hard to find. I have been through 5 National Dynamics to settle on two players, one is a 1949, & one 1951. I think that the ones with sticker SN's were 1964-1968.
Bill Blacklock Member From: Powell River, British Columbia, Canada	posted 24 August 2006 07:51 AM profile send email edit I have a red National Dynamic with a dagger logo, out of all my fine instruments its my favorite, also the cheapest. If I could have only one steel it would be the dynamic. It just feels right At Steinars advice I rewired and replaced the old cap's with a single cap and a more modern wiring set up. This really increased the tone with out adding to much sizzle. There a keeper.
-Øystein Røysi Member From: Trondheim, Norway	posted 24 August 2006 12:34 PM profile send email edit Rick, you have mail! ------------------ Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn (D), National Dynamic (A6)
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 24 August 2006 02:45 PM profile send email edit Øystein Røysi sent this pic of his Dynamic. Thanks Øystein! [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 24 August 2006 at 02:52 PM.]
Steinar Gregertsen Member From: Arendal, Norway	posted 24 August 2006 03:28 PM profile edit Øystein, could that be my old Dynamic???? I recognize that red grounding wire plus the extra heavy screws I put in the bridge,- who did you buy it from? Steinar ------------------ "Play to express, not to impress" www.gregertsen.com Southern Moon Northern Lights
Jon den Boer Member From: Vancouver, BC, Canada	posted 24 August 2006 05:18 PM profile send email edit That's a beauty Rick... I bought a '55 off ebay a little over a year ago, and had to change the pots and tuner buttons right away... I love this thing, it sounds so good under distortion as well as clean... definitely a keeper. No pics though, sorry. Jon
-Øystein Røysi Member From: Trondheim, Norway	posted 25 August 2006 12:55 AM profile send email edit Steinar, Fra ein Per i Oslo. Thanks for the compliments, guys! I think the guitar is wonderful! It sounds very warm and "fat". And no Steinar, I'm not selling...:-) ------------------ Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn (D), National Dynamic (A6)
Steinar Gregertsen Member From: Arendal, Norway	posted 25 August 2006 03:49 AM profile edit Yup, that's my old one. That's too funny.... Small world, isn't it? That's the one that my guitar tech replaced the old caps on, as Bill mentioned, it really came alive after that. Steinar ------------------ "Play to express, not to impress" www.gregertsen.com Southern Moon Northern Lights
-Øystein Røysi Member From: Trondheim, Norway	posted 25 August 2006 03:56 AM profile send email edit Steinar, Sprøtt! That's really funny! I'm really glad I got hold of it! It certainly sings out now... Your tech did a good job! Why'd you sell it? ------------------ Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn (D), National Dynamic (A6), SRV Strat, Koch Twintone II, Ayers Acoustic.
Steinar Gregertsen Member From: Arendal, Norway	posted 25 August 2006 04:04 AM profile edit Same as always,- a temporary solution to a permanent problem: money, so something had to go........ Steinar ------------------ "Play to express, not to impress" www.gregertsen.com Southern Moon Northern Lights
-Øystein Røysi Member From: Trondheim, Norway	posted 25 August 2006 04:42 AM profile send email edit I know the feeling! The guitar isn't nearly in as capable hands now as when it was in yours, but hopefully I'll improve... Wish we lived closer! Perhaps you couldteach me some of your tricks... ------------------ Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn (D), National Dynamic (A6), SRV Strat, Koch Twintone II, Ayers Acoustic. [This message was edited by -Øystein Røysi on 25 August 2006 at 04:44 AM.]
George Rout Member From: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada	posted 25 August 2006 06:36 PM profile send email edit Hi Rick, I have one same colours as yours but my bridge cover is not cracked!!! If you wish a pic, I dig one out. Thought I had one on the "peuter", but don't see it. George
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 26 August 2006 08:11 AM profile send email edit Our friend Kevin Brown sent these Dynamic pics: [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 26 August 2006 at 08:12 AM.]
Kevin Brown Member From: England	posted 26 August 2006 09:33 AM profile send email edit Thanks for posting that Rick, pics were taken at our local lap steel club. Thats my buddies dagger logo Im playing, whats interesting about all these pics is the 'variety' of dynamics, the symetrical white contol models are the earlier 50's model with the larger area pickup, we ab'd mine with the dagger logo (my buddy Robin's) very little diffeence in sound, like most other posters mines a keeper, BUT, its the oahi ala Rick Alexander that still takes the biscuit for creamy sound, prefer the look of the dynamic though, I have mine tuned to a G6th (c6th down a few tones) plus the high string ala Dobro, then another on top of that which floats between a 6th, 7th, major 7th and then 8th (like top 4 of an an open D, Im settled with this now, I lose my bottom root note but to have that flexibility up top is a real treat, plus its a great way to explore the greats just by tweaking one string, also meanss I can finally tackle the Howard White lap steel stuf (to my mind one of the unsung all time greats) By the way the one Im playing is for sale, please take note Rick Batey !! [This message was edited by Kevin Brown on 26 August 2006 at 10:38 AM.]
Steinar Gregertsen Member From: Arendal, Norway	posted 26 August 2006 10:00 AM profile edit quote: By the way the one Im playing is for sale, BrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrphhhtHRMPF!!!! (translated: why, oh why, don't I have the money when I need them......) Steinar ------------------ "Play to express, not to impress" www.gregertsen.com Southern Moon Northern Lights
Roy Thomson Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada	posted 26 August 2006 10:37 AM profile edit A student of mine has this National 8. Notice the PU cover is missing. I am sure he would like to have one if the part is available anywhere? [img][/img]
Kevin Brown Member From: England	posted 26 August 2006 10:53 AM profile send email edit Roy I thought my gas attacks were in the past, I should have known better, tell your student its just a heap o fancy junk,he'll never find the pickup cover and he may as well let it come my way, seriously that is what I have been posting up in the want ads for the last 6 months, suppose your student found it lying around a yard sale !! I jest, that is the mothership of all valco laps, let the hurting begin ! ! [This message was edited by Kevin Brown on 26 August 2006 at 12:59 PM.]
Colin Brooks Member From: Sunny South East England	posted 26 August 2006 12:41 PM profile send email edit I have a National D8 in bronze and cream. Absolutely my favourite steel for looks, and no slouch as a player. This guitar and the Dynamics have styling that always makes me think of my favourite car from that era, the stepdown Hudson.
George Keoki Lake Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada	posted 26 August 2006 01:18 PM profile edit I notice that Terry VunCannon doesn't use thumb or finger picks....interesting.
Keith Cordell Member From: Atlanta	posted 26 August 2006 01:51 PM profile send email edit Send me an email Roy. I have one.
Andy Sandoval Member From: Bakersfield, California, USA	posted 26 August 2006 03:50 PM profile send email edit Roy, I notice there aren't too many 8 string models shown here, so do you think they're a little harder to find? Rick, are those legs original or did someone adapt them to the guitar? [This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 26 August 2006 at 03:52 PM.]
Roy Thomson Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada	posted 26 August 2006 03:57 PM profile edit Andy, I suspect so. This is the first one I have ever come across. It is very nice but somewhat heavy and longer on the lap compared to the six string. If it was mine I would probably try to get three legs under it. My student bought it in Ca. before he moved to my part of the world. Cost him around $700. ------------------ http://www.clictab.com/RoyT/Roy_Thomson_Steel_Courses.htm
Terry VunCannon Member From: Randleman, North Carolina, USA	posted 26 August 2006 04:34 PM profile edit Hey George...Back when those pictures were taken I did not use finger picks...I now can not play with out them...I started the finger pick thing when I got my Lazy River weiss...& soon was playing electric with the picks also...I can still do a few tune without picks...but I find the picks help with my speed & tone.
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 27 August 2006 03:21 PM profile send email edit Roy, that's one sweet 8 string. Andy, this one came with the original legs & sockets . .
Rick Alexander Member From: Florida, USA	posted 04 September 2006 09:20 PM profile send email edit Terry VunCannon just sent these cool pics of his Green & Off White Dynamic. Thanks Big Guy!