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Author
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Topic: National Chicagoan- what is tone like?
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Zayit
Member From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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posted 06 March 2001 03:13 PM
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I currently play a Leilani (Magnatone Varsity clone) which I like very much for blues & country rock. I have been offered a National Chicagoan at reasonble cost. I have never played a National- is the tone radically different? More like the Fenders, the Gibsons or Ricks? Any thoughts on the Chicagoan? |
Ian McLatchie
Member From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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posted 06 March 2001 05:20 PM
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Along with the Gibson BR-9 and the later National Dynamics, the Chicagoan is the Chevy sedan of lap steels: not particularly exciting, and just like thousands of others, but it'll get you there. There were huge numbers of these things made, and they were a popular student instrument. Unlike higher priced National models, the Chicagoan doesn't have a conventional under-string pickup, but a wrap-around one similar to Supro instruments (both brands were made by the Valco corporation). Compared to the dirtier, thicker sound of Supros, Chicagoans maybe don't have a very special character to them, but they're certainly a decent sounding instrument, and like most Valcos, a very nice player. If the price is reasonable, definitely worth picking up, although if you really want to get into lap steel, you may find it more worthwhile to put the money toward a Fender, Rickenbacker or quality contemporary instrument. |
Zayit
Member From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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posted 07 March 2001 09:53 AM
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Thank you Ian! I greatly appreciate you sharing your wisdom & experience with me. I now have a better understanding of the differences between the National, Supro & Valco lines. My Leilani with the concealed pick-up has a very sweet tone. Would you describe the tone of the Chicagoan string-through as sweeter, or dirtier? Or none of the above? |
Ian McLatchie
Member From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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posted 07 March 2001 02:22 PM
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Zayit:
It's always difficult to describe these differences meaningfully, and in any event, each instrument sounds different depending on the player. Generally, though, I think you'll find the low-end Nationals are a little thicker sounding than the Leilani, and that they'll overdrive (i.e. sound dirtier) much easier when cranked through a tube amp. Your Leilani was made by the Dickerson company; you'll find simlar instruments with a variety of brand names, including Dickerson, Magnatone and Oahu. Along with the National and Gibson models I refered to before, these are probably the most common lap steels. They were intended as student-grade instruments, and are generally not considered great players because of their sweet and rather thin tone. They certainly have their appeal, though, and in the right hands can sound wonderful. As proof of this, check out the amazing "Sacred Steel Live" video, in which the great Willie Eason literally makes a Dickerson talk. | |
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