Supro Lap steel

[JustABluesGuy]

I saw an interesting 50’s or 60’s Supro lap steel, in apparently good condition (with case) at a pawn shop today. I’ve looked online, but can’t find the exact same model.

I’m wondering what kind of price would be fair. I’m not a lap steel player, but wouldn’t mind giving it a try.

 

[Papa Joe]

Depends on condition..Check the tuning keys out..Make sure they turn properly and the shafts aren't bent..and the buttons are solid..
Make sure the pickup works..
All good ?? I'd offer $100 and go to maybe $200..
That's my personal take on it..

 

[JustABluesGuy]

Depends on condition..Check the tuning keys out..Make sure they turn properly and the shafts aren't bent..and the buttons are solid..
Make sure the pickup works..
All good ?? I'd offer $100 and go to maybe $200..
That's my personal take on it..

Thanks for the feedback @Papa Joe! It didn’t have any strings on it and I didn’t look reall closely at the tuners, but they “looked” ok at a glance.

They are asking $200 and said that it just came out, so they are firm in the price.

 

[ScribbleSomething]

If it’s the coodercaster style pickup supro you’re lucky to see them for under $300 (in my experience)

$500-$600 is often the asking price that I’ve seen. Of course that is asking price and those guitars tend to stay for sale for a long time.

IMO $200 is a good to fair price if all the electronics work properly. The Lollar reissue of that pickup costs more than $250 the last I checked.

Yes I have an incomplete cooderish thing in my pile of projects.

 

[JustABluesGuy]

If it’s the coodercaster style pickup supro you’re lucky to see them for under $300 (in my experience)

$500-$600 is often the asking price that I’ve seen. Of course that is asking price and those guitars tend to stay for sale for a long time.

IMO $200 is a good to fair price if all the electronics work properly. The Lollar reissue of that pickup costs more than $250 the last I checked.

Yes I have an incomplete cooderish thing in my pile of projects.

Thanks for the feedback, but I don’t know a coodercaster from a hole in the ground. The PUP (if any) was under a metal plate.

Got an image of one of these PUPs?

 

[ScribbleSomething]

Thanks for the feedback, but I don’t know a coodercaster from a hole in the ground. The PUP (if any) was under a metal plate.

Got an image of one of these PUPs?

No affiliation
https://reverb.com/item/13915630-supro-student-deluxe-lap-steel-1953-natural

They also made them whet the holes on the top plate switch on each string instead of groups of 3. I assume the groups of 3 is a newer design. It is the more popular version also.

 

[Bob Womack]

Here's another pic of the pickup:

Bob

Oh, and I usually see the '40s version starting at $300.

 

[Flaneur]

If it looks anything like this.....go buy it.

-you can thank us later.......

If it has The Pickup.....everything else can be resolved.

 

[Flaneur]

 

[JustABluesGuy]

If it looks anything like this.....go buy it.

View attachment 535551

-you can thank us later.......

If it has The Pickup.....everything else can be resolved.

It’s body is narrower, and there is a cover concealing the pickup and no strings on it to test it. I’ll try to get back over there after work and take a closer look, and get some pics.

Thanks!

 

[JustABluesGuy]

If it looks anything like this.....go buy it.

View attachment 535551

-you can thank us later.......

If it has The Pickup.....everything else can be resolved.

IIRC it looked more like this, but not exactly.

https://goo.gl/images/WAoBhi

Actually this is closer. The PUP cover looks the same and the control layout look much like I remember.

https://goo.gl/images/UpRA3F

 

[JustABluesGuy]

If it looks anything like this.....go buy it.

View attachment 535551

-you can thank us later.......

If it has The Pickup.....everything else can be resolved.

And if it doesn’t have “The Pickup”?

 

[Flaneur]

And if it doesn’t have “The Pickup”?

If it's one of the older steels.....it probably will An obviously modern replacement would be grounds for some serious lowballing.......

 

[Flaneur]

The Airline ones often came with legs. The first time I ever changed a string on one of those- I'd never even looked at the bridge before- was on a busy dance floor, with strobe lighting!

 

[JustABluesGuy]

The Airline ones often came with legs. The first time I ever changed a string on one of those- I'd never even looked at the bridge before- was on a busy dance floor, with strobe lighting!

This had the legs in the case with it. One rubber tip was missing.

 

[JustABluesGuy]

If it's one of the older steels.....it probably will An obviously modern replacement would be grounds for some serious lowballing.......

How low?

 

[JustABluesGuy]

I’m going to stop by on my way home and, check it out better (including if it has a “coodercaster”). If it does have one, and seems to be in good condition otherwise, I will grab it for $200.

If it doesn’t have the right PUP, or any other problems I suppose I will pass on it. Thanks for all the help so far!

Any more things to watch out for?

 

[JustABluesGuy]

Thanks for all the help everyone, but I just called and it sold yesterday. Oh well!

 

[bottlenecker]

And if it doesn’t have “The Pickup”?

Any functional supro lap steel is worth at least 200 bucks.