{"product_id":"national-grand-console-doubleneck-8-string-lap-steel-1940","title":"National 1940 Grand Console Doubleneck 8-String Lap Steel Excellent","description":"\u003cp\u003eNo sales tax for US customers outside California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 1940 National doubleneck steel is rare, and it is a beautiful example!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eValco was founded in 1940 by three former owners of the National company — the same people who had built National's reputation for quality electric lap steel instruments through the 1930s, now operating independently under the Valco name and continuing to produce instruments sold as National, Supro, Airline, and Oahu. The Grand Console is among the most visually striking instruments Valco ever produced — an Art Deco aesthetic with two eight-string necks, chrome-covered pickups with great punch, glassy twang, and transparent lucite playing surfaces with Art Deco multi-colored geometric patterns marking the fret positions. This 1940 example is one of the earliest production years for the Grand Console model, manufactured in the first year of Valco's independent operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe doubleneck configuration gives the player two complete 8-string necks on a single instrument — each typically tuned to a different chord voicing, most commonly C6 and E9 or variations thereof, allowing the player to switch between complementary tunings mid-song. The clean and sweet tone, with a nice round crisp attack when desired, is characteristic of these instruments — Nationals can do Hawaiian and classic country sounds but also flit easily into jazz and other styles. The two original Valco string-through pickups deliver the balanced, even-tempered response across all eight strings that makes these instruments practical for professional playing rather than merely collectible. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gibson.com\/products\/gibson-custom-1964-es-345-reissue-with-bigsby-sapphire-mist\" class=\"group\/tag relative h-[18px] rounded-full inline-flex items-center overflow-hidden -translate-y-px cursor-pointer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative transition-colors h-full max-w-[180px] overflow-hidden px-1.5 inline-flex items-center font-small rounded-full border-0.5 border-border-300 bg-bg-200 group-hover\/tag:bg-accent-900 group-hover\/tag:border-accent-100\/60\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-nowrap text-text-300 break-all truncate font-normal group-hover\/tag:text-text-200\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe National-stamped nickel coverplates are present on both sets of tuners, adding an elegant visual detail overlooked by other lap steel manufacturers — beneath the covers, the original Kluson tuning machines are protected and clean, showing little wear. All four knobs are original. The tone control on the upper neck is non-functional — we tried a different pot and tone caps but could not restore operation. The remaining three controls — volume and tone on the lower neck, volume on the upper neck — work correctly. The output jack is the original stock threaded male phono\/Amphenol connector; one adaptor is included. Original Geib hardshell case in very good condition. At 14 lbs 15 oz this is a substantial instrument. 23\" scale on both necks, 2-3\/8\" nut width, lucite fingerboards in excellent condition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 14lbs 15oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColor: black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Material: hardwood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Condition: excellent\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Repairs: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Binding: none\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Finish Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Finish Condition: very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLower Bout: 10\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpper Bout: 8-3\/4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Depth\/Thickness: 1-11\/16\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOverall Length: 32-3\/4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale Length: 23\", both necks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Repairs: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Finish Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Markings: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFretboard Material: lucite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFretboard Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFretboard Repairs: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut Material: bone, both necks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut Repairs: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut Width: 2-3\/8\", each neck\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge Brand: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eString Spacing At Bridge: 2.7735\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuner Brand And Model: 4-on-a-side Kluson tuners covered by decorative oblong metal plates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuners Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChanges To Headstock For Tuners?: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuner Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuner Markings: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuner Screws Original?: yes\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDocumentation: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Brand: Geib\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Condition: very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Smells?: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Brand: Two original Valco \"string-through\" \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Count: 2\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Screws Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Cover Color: black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Cavity Condition: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnob Color: black and white\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnob Count: 4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnobs Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnob Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControl Cavity Cover Material: metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControl Cavity Cover Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControl Cavity Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotentiometer Count: 4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotentiometers Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotentiometer Condition: 3 in good, working condition. Tone on upper neck does not work.  We tried a different pot and tone caps but couldn't get it working.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolders Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWiring Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput Jack Original?: Stock threaded male \"phono\" or Amphenol connector, 1 adaptor included\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmells?: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccessories Included: output jack adaptor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipping policy:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"National","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56538304184486,"sku":"G-2293","price":1349.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0455\/7527\/4662\/files\/20260527_134706.jpg?v=1779917277","url":"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/products\/national-grand-console-doubleneck-8-string-lap-steel-1940","provider":"Mahar's Vintage Guitars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}