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1962 National Valco Val-Pro 88 in Black Res-o-glas Map Guitar
Estimated price for orientation: 2 250 $
Category: Electric Guitars
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: National Body Material: Fiberglass Resin Body Color: Black Features: Silver Sound Bridge Pickup Body Type: Res-O-Glas Model Year: 1962 Model: Val-Pro 88 Size: Full Size String Configuration: 6 String Items Included: Magic Valco Sauce Dexterity: Right-Handed Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
This is my treasured 1961 National Val-Pro 88, but it could be yours.These guitars didn't appear in the National catalogs until '62, but according to my Gruhn Guide, the serial number places the manufacture firmly in '61. This incredible guitar is made with the latest manufacturing miracle -- Res-o-glas, which for the uninitiated, is actually just molded fiberglass. This 88 was the top of National's Val-Pro line, with its two beefy single coil pickups, and the way cool Silver Sound pickup in the base of the bridge. In addition to the large master volume, each pickup has a separate volume control and bass cut pot for remarkable tonal possibilites. I can't emphasize enough how great these pickups all sound, so I've attached a link to a video of Phil X demonstrating a Glenwood 98 from the same era. The Glenwood he's playing has more fancy appointments, but the pickups and wiring, and thus the sound, are exactly the same. The Kluson tuners with "Butterfly" knobs work well and don't slip.
The engraved pick guard is still in great shape, but the headstock logo is broken. However, my good friend Gary of Banana Guitars sells great repros on ebay for thirty bucks. Search for him under "badbanana". Tell him Ray in LA sent you.The only real issue with this guitar is the binding. As you can see, the cracking is present througout the neck because off the chemical off gassing of the aged plastic. It was that way when I bought it in on 48th St. in New York in the mid-90s, and it's remained stable since. Since these early '60s Valcos have notoriously wonky necks, I've added a pic to try to sight the neck. After thirty tries with my camera, this is the best I could get. If there's any issue at all, it's that the neck heel drops away-- you know, like on most Gibsons, only a little more so. This is caused by people in the last 50 years cranking the neck adjustment screw without loosening the other two bolts. I can say that the guitar plays as well as any of my Res-O-Glas guitars from the cowboy chord area up to the 14th fret or so. However, any "issue" further up the neck could easily be rectified by a skilled luthier should you ever decide to refret or rebind the guitar. But honestly, if you think you're going to do a lot of shredding up there on a guitar like this, please don't buy this guitar. Truth is, the scary looking (but stable) binding is the only reason this guitar isn't the normal $3K and up.This sale does not include a case. They're rare and expensive!Payment Terms:
Payment due within 3 days of sale. Contact me beforehand to work out any other arrangements.Buyer pays shipping, which based on my last three guitar sales, will probably be in the area of fifty bucks.Local pickup is welcome.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | National |
| Body Material: | Fiberglass Resin | Body Color: | Black |
| Features: | Silver Sound Bridge Pickup | Body Type: | Res-O-Glas |
| Model Year: | 1962 | Model: | Val-Pro 88 |
| Size: | Full Size | String Configuration: | 6 String |
| Items Included: | Magic Valco Sauce | Dexterity: | Right-Handed |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
This is my treasured 1961 National Val-Pro 88, but it could be yours.These guitars didn't appear in the National catalogs until '62, but according to my Gruhn Guide, the serial number places the manufacture firmly in '61. This incredible guitar is made with the latest manufacturing miracle -- Res-o-glas, which for the uninitiated, is actually just molded fiberglass. This 88 was the top of National's Val-Pro line, with its two beefy single coil pickups, and the way cool Silver Sound pickup in the base of the bridge. In addition to the large master volume, each pickup has a separate volume control and bass cut pot for remarkable tonal possibilites. I can't emphasize enough how great these pickups all sound, so I've attached a link to a video of Phil X demonstrating a Glenwood 98 from the same era. The Glenwood he's playing has more fancy appointments, but the pickups and wiring, and thus the sound, are exactly the same. The Kluson tuners with "Butterfly" knobs work well and don't slip.
The engraved pick guard is still in great shape, but the headstock logo is broken. However, my good friend Gary of Banana Guitars sells great repros on ebay for thirty bucks. Search for him under "badbanana". Tell him Ray in LA sent you.The only real issue with this guitar is the binding. As you can see, the cracking is present througout the neck because off the chemical off gassing of the aged plastic. It was that way when I bought it in on 48th St. in New York in the mid-90s, and it's remained stable since. Since these early '60s Valcos have notoriously wonky necks, I've added a pic to try to sight the neck. After thirty tries with my camera, this is the best I could get. If there's any issue at all, it's that the neck heel drops away-- you know, like on most Gibsons, only a little more so. This is caused by people in the last 50 years cranking the neck adjustment screw without loosening the other two bolts. I can say that the guitar plays as well as any of my Res-O-Glas guitars from the cowboy chord area up to the 14th fret or so. However, any "issue" further up the neck could easily be rectified by a skilled luthier should you ever decide to refret or rebind the guitar. But honestly, if you think you're going to do a lot of shredding up there on a guitar like this, please don't buy this guitar. Truth is, the scary looking (but stable) binding is the only reason this guitar isn't the normal $3K and up.This sale does not include a case. They're rare and expensive!Payment Terms:
Payment due within 3 days of sale. Contact me beforehand to work out any other arrangements.Buyer pays shipping, which based on my last three guitar sales, will probably be in the area of fifty bucks.Local pickup is welcome.
The engraved pick guard is still in great shape, but the headstock logo is broken. However, my good friend Gary of Banana Guitars sells great repros on ebay for thirty bucks. Search for him under "badbanana". Tell him Ray in LA sent you.The only real issue with this guitar is the binding. As you can see, the cracking is present througout the neck because off the chemical off gassing of the aged plastic. It was that way when I bought it in on 48th St. in New York in the mid-90s, and it's remained stable since. Since these early '60s Valcos have notoriously wonky necks, I've added a pic to try to sight the neck. After thirty tries with my camera, this is the best I could get. If there's any issue at all, it's that the neck heel drops away-- you know, like on most Gibsons, only a little more so. This is caused by people in the last 50 years cranking the neck adjustment screw without loosening the other two bolts. I can say that the guitar plays as well as any of my Res-O-Glas guitars from the cowboy chord area up to the 14th fret or so. However, any "issue" further up the neck could easily be rectified by a skilled luthier should you ever decide to refret or rebind the guitar. But honestly, if you think you're going to do a lot of shredding up there on a guitar like this, please don't buy this guitar. Truth is, the scary looking (but stable) binding is the only reason this guitar isn't the normal $3K and up.This sale does not include a case. They're rare and expensive!Payment Terms:
Payment due within 3 days of sale. Contact me beforehand to work out any other arrangements.Buyer pays shipping, which based on my last three guitar sales, will probably be in the area of fifty bucks.Local pickup is welcome.