Year/value for Supro

[eddie mack]

Hi everybody. This is the new guy here. Need some help. I've had for 30 yrs a WMP Supro lap steel, serial # x40311. It's in good+ condition, original case & handle, binding around case lid started coming apart a few years ago. Have original bar & thumb/fingerpicks, but have so many instuments around house not sure where they might be. I've sometimes in past stored loose items seperately so they wouldn't bang around in case, because all my axes get gigged/recorded or jammed with out of the house, some regularly. Some, like this, not often.

"Fretboard" appears to be appliqued on rather than painted, acsending up neck from nut -circle/triangle/square/diamond/oval-pattern, flanked by "T-Bird" wings, with pearloid showing through, repeated 3 times. String-through PU, control plate and 4 screw PU cover painted wrinkle-brown. Small white knobs with brown position markers held on by set-screw, both control pots away from player (or owner/operator for all you string slingin' truckers) 1/4" jack opposite side of PU towards player (or, see above comment), 2 screws hold down jack/control plate either side of bridge. All 6 screws phillips head. Brass Supro lightning bolt patpend headstock nameplate, most turquoise enamel inside lettering intact. No name on tuners, appear to be Klusens or copys. Knobs starting to deteriorate. Tuners attached by 4 phillips each side. Pearl wrap cracked on both "shoulders". Brown "sandpaper" backing on bottom is seam-cracked at curve of neck/head "join". Works & sounds just like it should. I'm willing to bet money this guitar is 100% original and has never been taken apart in any way. Sorry, no pictures.

Did best to describe it, can anyone help me with a date of manufacture and ballpark value? Any info greatly appreciated! Thanks, Eddie Mack.

[VintAxe]

Hi Eddie. Your description is good but a picture is just so much easier. Send some pixs to steve@vintaxe.com and I'll add them to your post.

[eddie mack]

Thanks for reply, Steve. I'm not a computer guy, my roomie is, so he'll send some pics in next few days. He found on this site today that it's a 1954 ( vintageguitarpro.com ). He's also never heard it so I cranked it up through his 130 watt Music Man head and my 4x12 Marshall cab. Had to tune it & tuning key knobs actually held, which I wasn't sure they would. Man oh man, that bad boy still screams when he's cranked, & still gets mellow & smooth with the treble down and amp volume down.

Haven't played this thing in at least ten yrs and forgot how good it sounds! Well, maybe after I send pics someone can give me a little bit more history and other info. Thanks a bunch, Eddie.