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Author
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Topic: I think I just found Mozart's lap steel...
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Doug Beaumier
Member From: Northampton, MA
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posted 19 January 2006 04:50 PM
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 Well… maybe not the Mozart… I just picked up this late-1930s National-Dobro Corp. lap steel, serial number either 53 or 153. Complete with 5 rusted stings and some grime. Has anyone ever seen this Mozart brand before? The guitar looks exactly like a National Princess as far as I can tell. I’m trying to determine if National-Dobro made this guitar under the Mozart BRAND or if a former owner of this guitar just stuck the Mozart logo on there? The logo does appear to be factory and original. I never knew that National made “branded” instruments for other companies in the pre-Valco era. This page shows a National-Dobro Princess exactly like this guitar, but it has no logo. Anybody ever seen this Mozart brand before? As far as I’m concerned this lap steel a National because it has the old National-Dobro foil sticker on the end. The guitar sounds surprisingly good! Strong output and a very clean sound. ------------------
My Site | My SteelTab [This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 19 January 2006 at 04:52 PM.]
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Ron Bednar
Member From: Rancho Cordova, California, USA
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posted 19 January 2006 08:00 PM
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That sure does look like a National Princess, my buddy Robert has one with the accompaning amp. I don't much care for the short scale length but the Hawaiian music players probaly love it. That pickup is the one though...love that! |
Colin Brooks
Member From: Lewes, East Sussex. UK.
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posted 20 January 2006 01:44 AM
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Doug, the only guitar I have seen badged as a 'Mozart' was a very fancy acoustic squareneck. Basically the same instrument as the 'Teacher's' grade Oahu jumbo. Those were probably made by Regal. |
Andy Sandoval
Member From: Bakersfield, California, USA
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posted 20 January 2006 03:18 AM
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Very cool guitar Doug. how is that chord attached? It's hard to make out in the picture. |
Mike D
Member From: Phx, Az
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posted 20 January 2006 07:21 AM
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That belonged to the famous Appalachin steeler Elmo Zart who took on the moniker 'Mozart' to impress the locals.I know Howard, leave the comedy to the pros. 
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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
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Russ Young
Member From: Seattle, Washington, USA
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posted 20 January 2006 07:36 AM
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Doug, there's very little reason to doubt that it's a Valco-built guitar, but Gruhn's Guide says Princesses have two knobs instead of one. Here's the one pictured on Brad's Page of Steel:  Like Colin, I've seen a couple of "Mozart" squareneck acoustics, but it's the first time I've seen an electric lap steel. Oh, and Mike -- I suspect you took the words right out of Howard's mouth. But I think you deserve a non-bold, non-italicized rimshot! for effort.  (A follow-up: After looking at Brad's picture on a bigger monitor, I now realize that what I thought was a knob on the treble side is a worn spot on the plate! If so, I'm suspicious of Gruhn's description.) [This message was edited by Russ Young on 20 January 2006 at 02:16 PM.]
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Roman Sonnleitner
Member From: Vienna, Austria
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posted 20 January 2006 02:44 PM
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Oh no! Here in Austria there is some Mozart anniversary, and we have Mozart balls (no, not what you're thinking, it's chocolate-covered marzipan), Mozart liquor, Mozart tea-cups, Mozart place-mats, Mozart liquor, Mozart toilet-paper (OK, I made that one up) - don'T tell me they are making Mozart lap-steels now, too... |
Doug Beaumier
Member From: Northampton, MA
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posted 20 January 2006 09:37 PM
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Below is the “Princess” lap steel pictured on the page linked above. The owner claims that it was made prior to late 1935 because that is when the tone controls were added. I'm not sure where he’s getting his info though. Yes, I guess the Mozart was built by National for some other company, or possibly to sell as student guitars in stores or schools that did not carry Nationals. The cord is hard-wired to the guitar. It goes under the control plate, and there is a small hole for the cord to pass through.  [This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 20 January 2006 at 09:52 PM.] |
Ron Bednar
Member From: Rancho Cordova, California, USA
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posted 20 January 2006 09:55 PM
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That same pickup/single pot/stamped plate/direct wired cord was used on many different makes and models for a number of years. I am playing around with an old Airline now, taking that whole top plate, less the pot, and adapting it to a Chandler RH-2 and it's electronics. It's amazing how hot those pickups are when they get a new set of Rick's magnets. |
Doug Beaumier
Member From: Northampton, MA
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posted 20 January 2006 10:10 PM
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I just ordered a set of Rick's magnets they were shipped today! I can't wait to try them in my National, and maybe in this little Princess, Mozart, or whatever it is! |
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