Kaiser Bill Posted May 18, 2013 Share Posted May 18, 2013 Greetings... I received my old Supro on Friday via UPS. It got busted up pretty good on the way from California. All new tuners are now required. It also hums like a Norelco. Can't find out why... so far. Someone said maybe the capacitor (original) had given up the ghost. I'm still trying to sort it all out. I was told this was a '38 model. Don't know...don't care...I just want it to sing again. I doubt a serial # search would yield any results. I was surprised to find the key for the locks still inside the case. I know the case is for an old 50s era Fender console. I've already turned down a lot just for the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 twanging good fun when you get it sorted out !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Nice one. I had a 50s era Supro. Bought it at a flea market for $25. The pickup didn't work right - seems it hummed too. However, I disassembled it and cleaned it up. Upon reassembly it worked perfectly. The steel bar on top of the pup goes over the strings, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 Thanks Guys. Surfpup...this was MY guitar some 25 years ago. It just doesn't work anymore. I've got some feelers out on a couple slide guitar sites, and calls into some local electronics guys. I'll get 'er runnin' again come hell or high water. Just a matter of time. I stopped the hum by grounding what I believe to be the tone pot. Problem is...I have no signal at all now. LOL...its getting frustrating to say the least. I've also ordered new Kluson tuning pegs from StewMac. They should just bolt right on. Their spacing is identical to the Klusons they were on it. Sooner or later it will sing again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 Just found out that this is NOT... repeat NOT a '38...it is a '49 according to the serial #. The luthier in California was totally wrong!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 I found photos of a '49 being restored, and wired it EXACTLY like the photos. I plugged it in with one string attached...its dead quiet, and it barks loudly when the string is played. Yessssss!! I am a happy man right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 I plugged it in with one string attached...its dead quiet, and it barks loudly when the string is played. Yessssss!! I am a happy man right now. Won't be long now. C6 tuning and a Stevens bar and you're all set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 Thanks surfpup...I've got all the doo-dads needed to play it...finger picks, a BJS bar and a collection of several original Oahu bars. I believe I'll go with either the A6 or an E6 tuning. I'll mostly be using it for classic country. I appreciate your input. I guess I better add it to my list of gear now that its almost working. Tuners should be here no later than Wednesday. StewMac is next door in Ohio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted May 22, 2013 Author Share Posted May 22, 2013 The new Kluson Deluxe (made in Japan) tuners arrived and five minutes later...they were installed. I just have to pick a tuning and then get the proper gauge strings for that particular tuning...and I'll be good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 I cobbled together a set of strings last night just for a test run. Talking with a good friend in the big time... he suggested using an E tuning which he uses on most of his recordings. He added using a 6th would make it more flexible...so E6 is my tuning and I'm chomping at the bit to get started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 ...so E6 is my tuning and I'm chomping at the bit to get started. Slide on, bro! I like E too because as a guitar player it makes it easy to jam with others. You aren't having to transpose in your head the whole time. If you really wanna rock out try E5 like Ben Harper does. All Es and As - no major third. Sounds great with distortion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVIL Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I've never seen one of these before, other than on You Tube. They look like they could be a lot of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted May 24, 2013 Author Share Posted May 24, 2013 I'll be changing a few strings around to accomodate a different slant on an E6 tuning, and getting private tutoring from a good friend and great player. I hope to be able to take it to a gig on Labor Day and play it without being embarrassed. It sure sounds good right now...I hope to make it sound better after the changes. Thanks for looking. There have got to be thousands of these instruments laying around attics and basements just going to waste. What a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share Posted June 1, 2013 I remembered some vintage slides I had tonight. I found them and thought I'd share. Two Oahu bars probably from the 40s, an Elton with a thumb and finger groove, and genuine Stevens. No real difference in the tonal quality of any of them. The Stevens seems to work best although I still prefer the BJS slide from my pedal steel guitar. Much more "beefy" and it has a nice rounded nose for single notes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretplay Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I got one of these last year. Mine is a Studio Deluxe with the controls both on the bottom right and finished in green 'rock n roll' plastic. I guess it's mid 50s Plays fine, I use it on backing tracks to slide in chords. Anyone got a case for it let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share Posted June 1, 2013 I have a sneaky hunch that the cases for most of these were pressed paper...or cardboard if you will. The case for my Gibson ES125T was alligator print embossed paper. I can only imagine these lap steel (aka Hawaiian) instruments were just plain thick paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretplay Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 I have a sneaky hunch that the cases for most of these were pressed paper...or cardboard if you will. The case for my Gibson ES125T was alligator print embossed paper. I can only imagine these lap steel (aka Hawaiian) instruments were just plain thick paper. Kaiser I would guess you are right. Perhaps a Fender case would do the trice. I'll keep looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 The old tweed case (see first post) was with the guitar when I bought it back in the 80s. It is for a Fender Console steel...probably the type with three legs. There is a compartment inside the case for leg storage. I have to "stuff" the case with an old drapery panel so it doesn't flop around inside the case. The guitar is much smaller than the interior space. I don't want to alter the inside of the case to accommodate the guitar. Maybe I should see about a gig bag or build a case just for the Supro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Maybe I should see about a gig bag or build a case just for the Supro. Just throw it in the back of the truck. You cannot hurt those things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Hey Surf pup...I did with that with wives #2 & # 3...trust me it doesn't work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Hey Surf pup...I did with that with wives #2 & # 3...trust me it doesn't work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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