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FENDER DELUXE (PRINCETON) Vintage 1947 LAP STEEL ~ very old, very clean !!!

Estimated price for orientation: 949 $

Category: Lap and Steel Guitars
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Description

marko2market  I didn't know when I bought this, sight unseen, but in 'perfect working order', that I'd end up replacing nearly all the electrical components, or that the pickup could be re-wound only by Tom Brantley himself, but that's the story. Pot and other wiring replaced by my good friend and master luthier Dean Murphy, the king of the 8 string. (check him out on youtube). Pickup rewound and repaired by Tom Brantley - It's bright, clear, and powerful; if his rewinds are good enough for Geddy Lee, they're good enough for me !  I had doubts, but it turned out to be a effin fantastic steel, guaranteed !! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Beautiful condition This is the first electric guitar made by Leo Fender after the end of K+F. The first instrument to be labeled "Fender Electric Instrument Co." Serial # B915. Own a piece of Fender history, this instrument could have been assembled by Leo Fender himself. Original pickup hand wound to vintage specs by Tom Brantley himself, pots are CTS 250K.
Fender Princeton Deluxe Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, c. 1947, made in Fullerton, California, serial # B915, brown wood finish, mahogany body, metal fretboard. One of the earliest Fender instruments we have ever seen, this Deluxe steel dates to the very first period of the Fender Electric Instrument Company, soon after the departure of "Doc" Kauffman and the changeover from the K&F partnership. These early steels are the genesis of the entire Fender operation, which was a very small struggling local concern in 1947-8 with very limited production making all of these first instruments extremely rare.

The Princeton was the least expensive of a three-model line, but the differences in the instruments were relatively minor. The lack of a tone control and a hard-wired cord are all that separate this model from its slightly more upscale brother the Deluxe, while the top of the line "Organ Button" model had a slightly more expensive pickup and a subtly different body. All of these early steels were made of whatever woods Leo had in stock…this one appears to be mahogany with the typical very thin "waxy" finish typical of the first Fenders. The pickup is the famous Fender "Direct String" unit, which is still considered one of the best sounding steel pickups ever designed. The aluminium fingerboard carries roman numerals designating the positions and headplate has the inscribed "Fender Electric instruments, Fullerton California" lightning bolt logo. Original tuners are simple non-descript openbacks probably made by Waverly. Despite its primitive appearance, this is a great-sounding well-designed steel. Certain elements of the design are still carried over from the earliest K&F instruments, while others will persist into the 1950's with the plastic-covered Champion steel. This Princeton carries a very early serial number (#B915) and is a fascinating historical piece, playable evidence of the Birth of Fender!Overall length is 28 3/4 in. (73 cm.), 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Well preserved overall, substantially original with some play wear and restoration. The pickup has been re-wound to original spec by Tom Brantley…these pickups have a plastic sleeve inside the coil surrounding the strings and are notoriously prone to failing as this collapses. This one has been expertly restored to full functionality preserving the original tone.The very thin finish has some honest playwear, and the chrome pickup/control plate is in good condition.A true relic, brought back to life, ready to swing for another 70 years !! Here's one I'm going to regret selling, and you don't see these too often. Ships in original case, handle & latches intact.   Low start price, no reserve !!
  !!   PLAY IT LOUD   !!
low cost, secure shipping to the lower 48 !  check my feedback & bid with confidence !! international bidders, write for shipping quote !!!(stock pic is Princeton, not Deluxe)   Still not sure ?? Check my recent feedback !! (OK, it's not recent, cuz ebay truly sucks now !!)
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