Fender Champion Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1952)
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Item # 8874
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Fender Champion Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1952), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 3681, yellow pearloid finish, hardwood body, original aligator grain chipboard case.
This 1952 Champion is a nice example of Fender's "bread and butter" lap steel guitar from the first half of the 1950s. Although designed as a student instrument, the Champion Steel was -- and remains -- a great-sounding guitar fully suited to professional use then or now. The flashy plastic-covered symmetrical two-bout body has a chrome bridge and cover plate with dome-top knurled knobs. The serial number "3681" is stamped on the bridgeplate where the strings anchor through the body, the pots are original with the date code indicating manufacture during the 21st week of 1952.
The metal fingerboard plate pinned to the body has black paint screening to outline fret positions. The headstock has metal facing with integral nut stamped with lighting bolt logo and "Fender Electric Instrument Co. Fullerton, California". Over the years many Champs have sacrificed their pickups to provide the engine for vintage Telecaster recreations -- this one has avoided that fate. A very cool steel guitar, a fine-sounding player, and a genuine 1950s Fender instrument at a relatively reasonable price!
Overall length is 29 3/4 in. (75.6 cm.), 7 1/2 in. (19 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.).
Overall a nice example with some general wear but no major damage. The knobs are repros but the all-important pickup, pots, and wiring have survived intact. The original Kluson tuners have new buttons. This one sounds great, as they all do if the original Fender pickup is undisturbed. The original alligator grain chipboard case has seen better days but is functional for storage, at least. Excellent - Condition.
This 1952 Champion is a nice example of Fender's "bread and butter" lap steel guitar from the first half of the 1950s. Although designed as a student instrument, the Champion Steel was -- and remains -- a great-sounding guitar fully suited to professional use then or now. The flashy plastic-covered symmetrical two-bout body has a chrome bridge and cover plate with dome-top knurled knobs. The serial number "3681" is stamped on the bridgeplate where the strings anchor through the body, the pots are original with the date code indicating manufacture during the 21st week of 1952.
The metal fingerboard plate pinned to the body has black paint screening to outline fret positions. The headstock has metal facing with integral nut stamped with lighting bolt logo and "Fender Electric Instrument Co. Fullerton, California". Over the years many Champs have sacrificed their pickups to provide the engine for vintage Telecaster recreations -- this one has avoided that fate. A very cool steel guitar, a fine-sounding player, and a genuine 1950s Fender instrument at a relatively reasonable price!
Overall length is 29 3/4 in. (75.6 cm.), 7 1/2 in. (19 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.).
Overall a nice example with some general wear but no major damage. The knobs are repros but the all-important pickup, pots, and wiring have survived intact. The original Kluson tuners have new buttons. This one sounds great, as they all do if the original Fender pickup is undisturbed. The original alligator grain chipboard case has seen better days but is functional for storage, at least. Excellent - Condition.