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musical instrument details
1936 Gibson EH-100 Electric Hawaiian Lap Steel & Tube Amp Set Charlie Christian
Estimated price for orientation: 1 599 $
Category: Lap and Pedal Steel Guitars
Class:
Description Brand: Gibson Exact Year: 1936 Type: Electric Country/Region of Manufacture: United States MPN: Does Not Apply UPC: Does not apply
Up for sale, a 1936 Gibson EH100 Lap Steel and matching tube amp in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. Aside from recent professional recap of the amp's power supply, this lap steel and amp set is 100% original, right down to the stock tubes. This first-year example is particularly clean and well kept, with an early version of the bar magnet pickup more affectionately known as the Charlie Christian design. The EH-100 was Gibson's "student model" version of the EH-150, and these two models were the first widely available Gibson electric instruments ever produced. Very few of the 840 steels shipped in '36 have remained in the impeccable condition of the example seen here!Tonally, the Charlie Christian blade pickup delivers a clear, raw, bell-like tone, with top end that has a full-bodied chimey character through the matching amp. While the amp isn't particularly loud and has no controls of its own, the EH-100 pushes the circuit just enough to get some overdrive and richness out of the amp when you dig in. Roll off the tone control (a new and pioneering feature implemented in late Summer '36) and the tone thickens up and smooths out for a slinky, glassy sound that one can only eek out of a true Charlie Christian design.The girthy, rounded maple neck features a Brazilian rosewood fretboard with pearl dot inlay, and the board is clean as can be. The stock metal nut is intact, and on the headstock the original open-back Grovers turns smoothly and hold pitch as they should with original white buttons. The white "Gibson" silkscreen is also virtually mint. Under the hood, the original Centralab pots are intact, with untouched solder joints and original wiring. The original hardware is all present as well, with stock knobs and bridge. Cosmetically, it'd be hard to find a cleaner or more well cared for first-year example of an EH-100, and this 80 year old Electric Hawaiian steel has weathered the decades well, with the original black nitro lacquer finish. The finish shows only two minor scuffs, one being on the back and the other adjacent to the input jack on the bass side of the body. Common with the maple used on the lower bout sides and inherent to the screw-on back design, there is slight separation of the wood where the sides meet behind the bridge of the steel, but this poses no issue structural or otherwise. The original factory order number is also cleanly stamped on the neck heel.The amp has been freshly serviced and retains its original tubes, with one 6N7, two No. 42 tubes, and one No. 80 tube (yes, these tubes are so early that the numbering system is still in the double digits). The stock alnico Jensen field coil C10R 10" speaker is present, with the output transformer for the amp mounted to the speaker frame, and a minty red "Jensen" foil label on the magnet. The cabinet is as clean as the matching steel, with no notable wear outside of a missing slender back panel. Even the Gibson paper label is present and clean on unfaded paper, and the silkscreen white logo on the amp's exterior is clean as can be. The stock handle is present as well, and early Gibson amps like this simply don't come much nicer.The original red line Geib & Schaffer hardshell case is included. The case retains the original working latches, a clean handle, and minty purple felt interior. A set of original unopened Gibson Mona-Steel "Electric Hawaiian" strings are included as well.Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.Shipping in the continental USA will be $80, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground (amp and steel packed and shipped separately). Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Description
| Brand: | Gibson | Exact Year: | 1936 |
| Type: | Electric | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| MPN: | Does Not Apply | UPC: | Does not apply |
Up for sale, a 1936 Gibson EH100 Lap Steel and matching tube amp in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. Aside from recent professional recap of the amp's power supply, this lap steel and amp set is 100% original, right down to the stock tubes. This first-year example is particularly clean and well kept, with an early version of the bar magnet pickup more affectionately known as the Charlie Christian design. The EH-100 was Gibson's "student model" version of the EH-150, and these two models were the first widely available Gibson electric instruments ever produced. Very few of the 840 steels shipped in '36 have remained in the impeccable condition of the example seen here!Tonally, the Charlie Christian blade pickup delivers a clear, raw, bell-like tone, with top end that has a full-bodied chimey character through the matching amp. While the amp isn't particularly loud and has no controls of its own, the EH-100 pushes the circuit just enough to get some overdrive and richness out of the amp when you dig in. Roll off the tone control (a new and pioneering feature implemented in late Summer '36) and the tone thickens up and smooths out for a slinky, glassy sound that one can only eek out of a true Charlie Christian design.The girthy, rounded maple neck features a Brazilian rosewood fretboard with pearl dot inlay, and the board is clean as can be. The stock metal nut is intact, and on the headstock the original open-back Grovers turns smoothly and hold pitch as they should with original white buttons. The white "Gibson" silkscreen is also virtually mint. Under the hood, the original Centralab pots are intact, with untouched solder joints and original wiring. The original hardware is all present as well, with stock knobs and bridge. Cosmetically, it'd be hard to find a cleaner or more well cared for first-year example of an EH-100, and this 80 year old Electric Hawaiian steel has weathered the decades well, with the original black nitro lacquer finish. The finish shows only two minor scuffs, one being on the back and the other adjacent to the input jack on the bass side of the body. Common with the maple used on the lower bout sides and inherent to the screw-on back design, there is slight separation of the wood where the sides meet behind the bridge of the steel, but this poses no issue structural or otherwise. The original factory order number is also cleanly stamped on the neck heel.The amp has been freshly serviced and retains its original tubes, with one 6N7, two No. 42 tubes, and one No. 80 tube (yes, these tubes are so early that the numbering system is still in the double digits). The stock alnico Jensen field coil C10R 10" speaker is present, with the output transformer for the amp mounted to the speaker frame, and a minty red "Jensen" foil label on the magnet. The cabinet is as clean as the matching steel, with no notable wear outside of a missing slender back panel. Even the Gibson paper label is present and clean on unfaded paper, and the silkscreen white logo on the amp's exterior is clean as can be. The stock handle is present as well, and early Gibson amps like this simply don't come much nicer.The original red line Geib & Schaffer hardshell case is included. The case retains the original working latches, a clean handle, and minty purple felt interior. A set of original unopened Gibson Mona-Steel "Electric Hawaiian" strings are included as well.
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.Shipping in the continental USA will be $80, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground (amp and steel packed and shipped separately). Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!