Bronson Singing Electric Lap Steel and Bronson Amplifier, Vintage (1957-1958) w/DeArmond Volume Pedal USED

Bronson Singing Electric Lap Steel and Bronson Amplifier, Vintage (1957-1958) w/DeArmond Volume Pedal USED

Lap Steel Serial #: 73159              

Amp Serial #: 72696

This Vintage Bronson Lap Steel, Bronson Amp and DeArmond Volume Pedal are being sold as a package. Please call Main Street Music if you have interest in individual items. We might be interested.

The Bronson Lap Steel is in greats shape and has been tested for a clean signal. It is in working condition. This is a vintage electric lap-steel guitar built with sleek blue-grey pearloid body covering! Features a gold-plated bridge with clear plastic cover, gold hardware, old-style threaded input, gold sparkled tuners, and volume & tone control with matching pots. This lap steel is perfect for any player or collector!

It is outfitted with an add-on Stringtone Lap Steel Guitar Tuning Changer (keys of E, A, C#m). The tuning changer is functioning and is in original condition. There is one tuning peg which has a slight bend in it but still functions properly. The instrument comes with the rare original hardshell case, finger picks, slide and original guitar cord (repaired but is original). We are leaving the instrument and amplifier in their original condition for historical purposes and allowing the new owner the opportunity to swap out parts as they would like.

The Bronson Amplifier is also all original. This wonderful little amp is an original and not one of the Vintage 47 Amps reissues that was made in the last few years. This amp sounds amazing, looks great and even comes with the amp cover. We would recommend installing a new AC cord as the original 2-pronged cord is frayed at the end. We are keeping this in original condition, as well.

The amp had not been used in many years according to the seller. We used a power conditioner to slowly ramp up the power in order to help restore the capacitors and internal electronics. It charged up wonderfully and is in playing condition.

The Bronson "Singing Electric" was one of the many companies Valco made amps for. It comes with a Valco Supreme 12 watt class AB push pull circuit with a 10-inch Ted Weber signature speaker. The finger jointed Baltic birch cabinet is covered in two tone beaded tolex.

This amp has that amazingly thick & saturating Valco sound and touch sensitivity their amps are famous for. Capable of clean jazz to over-the-top overdrive. An incredible harp amp with great feedback control due to the interactive tone & volume controls.

Blue and cream 

Please see photos for condition and more detail of the descriptions above of this wonderful package!!

DeArmond Volume Pedal Vintage 1950’s USA, by Rowe Industries. Made in the USA and before they designated model numbers. Appears to be all original!

Below is some info from someone who used to install Stringtones on lap steels in the 1950s.

How to tune the Stringtone Changer: low bass version, A, E, C#m

* with the lever in the forward position tune it to an A major chord with the keys.

* Raise the lever to the upright position and use the screws to tune the 2nd and 3rd strings.
Use the key to tune the 5th string.

* Go back to the A tuning and use the screw to tune the 5th string. When A & E are in tune, the C#mi will be in tune.

Unfortunately it does not show the layout of the tuning... what string is tuned to what note. It's an interesting puzzle! The directions indicate that A (low bass) is the starting point. As far as I know, the original A (low bass) tuning looks like this:

A (low bass)
1. E
2. C#
3. A
4. E
5. A
6. E

Here are the notes needed for each of the tunings:
A chord = A, C#, E
E chord = E, G#, B
C#m chord = C#, E, G#

*NOTE: Shipping and Insurance on this item will vary depending on shipping destination. Please call the store for exact shipping cost!! West Coast may be higher, East Coast may be lower than estimated shipping on Reverb.com