RF Generation Message Board

For years now, I've been asking my dad to get his old guitar out of the attic, and for no apparent reason, today was the day he got it down for me. It's not in too bad shape considering it's been in the attic for 20 years.  That's 20 times it's been frozen and 20 times it's been over 100 degrees.  There's just a little bit of corrosion that shouldn't be too hard to scrub off and of course the strings are all shot.  The back piece has some cracks around the screws, but should be fine. 
Anyway, it's a National Val Pro, he thinks it's a 1964, but that may be a year or two off. 

[img width=604 height=800]http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/Mike_2_0_0_6/IM001514.jpg[/img]
[img width=604 height=800]http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/Mike_2_0_0_6/IM001515.jpg[/img]
[img width=604 height=800]http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/Mike_2_0_0_6/IM001516.jpg[/img]
[img width=700 height=528]http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/Mike_2_0_0_6/IM001517.jpg[/img]

Anyway, I'm pretty excited.  I've always wanted to learn how to play and this should be a good one to start on.  I'll probably go pick up some strings tomorrow after school. 

It's also apparently fairly collectible, I saw some similar models going from $500-$1500, but I couldn't find one identical.

If anyone knows something about it (info is scarce online) or any tips on what strings (or other accessories I need) I should buy, please let me know. 

that thing is sweet looking. very unique body shape. I've never seen one.

Very interesting shape there. I like it a lot. Now put a screwdriver under the strings and go all Thurston Moore on it.

Thanks for the comments, I love the colors too.  It's definitely the color scheme I would have chosen if I had  bought it new 40 years ago :laugh: 
I was going to buy some strings today, but while eating my breakfast I happened to glance in a coupon booklet and in there was an ad for the music store I was going to buy strings for.  There was also a "free set of guitar strings" coupon.  I couldn't believe it.  I didn't even have to buy anything, I showed the guy the coupon and he handed me a basket of strings that I could choose from. 


I'm kind of worried that it may not work though, I plugged it into the amp that was with it, but nothing happened. But that may have been because the plugs are all taped together or the amp is just not working.  I then tried plugging it directly into my stereo but again nothing happened, but I don't even know if that would work.  Or it may because the strings were so bad.  Or, because I have no idea what the knobs do.

Gnarly

clean off all the corrosion before you try it again. it may not be getting any juice. I can't imagine it would be too hard to find a place to repair it if it does need some parts replaced. around here there's guitar shops all over the place.

NICE! Isn't that just amazing?

It is amazing, it was like a sign from the rock gods. I couldn't believe it, I read the coupon probably 100 times to make sure it was real. But I'm definitely going to start looking at that booklet more often, who knows what I've been missing. 

Very nice guitar!  Wish I could find a guitar from that time period for under 1 quadrillion dollars  :P.

It looks like there is a bit of corrosion on the pick up.  You may need to replace that if you want to get proper sound out of it.  I don't think that's the reason that you aren't getting anything when you plug it into the amp though.  It probably just needs some wires re-soldered.

What kind of amp was with it? 

I got it working.  The pickup is corroded pretty bad and I was able to get the majority of it off, but it looks like I will have to live with it.  I don't think it's bad enough to affect the sound, just the way it looks. I put the new strings on and it does work fine.  I guess the old corroded strings were what was making it not work.  I'm having trouble getting it tuned though, I guess I'll need to buy an electronic tuner. 

The amp is an old Danelectro Viscount model 143.  It's not the best looking thing in the world, but it gets the job done. 

And you can get one for less than 1 quadrillion, there's a nice '56 Stratocaster on eBay BIN only $49,500. :laugh: 

That looks awesome! I like the shape and color.