Fender Champion Previously Owned by Steely Dan's Walter Becker Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1952)
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 9084
Prices subject to change without notice.
Fender Champion Previously Owned by Steely Dan's Walter Becker Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1952), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 2698, yellow pearloid finish, hardwood body, original brown alligator chipboard case.
This 1952 Champion is a clean and fairly early example of Fender's "bread and butter" lap steel guitar from 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 fairly low serial number "2698" is stamped on the bridgeplate where the strings anchor through the body; the pots are original with the visible 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. This particular Champion was part of Steely Dan's Walter Becker's collection, giving it a nice provenance. Even besides that it is just a very cool fine-sounding steel guitar, a genuine early 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.).
This is a very clean and original Champ, the only repair is new buttons on the original Kluson strip tuners, all else remains as it left Fullerton in 1952 The original chipboard case has Walter's studio storage markings attached on pieces of tape, and the estate auction tags are included. Excellent Condition.
This 1952 Champion is a clean and fairly early example of Fender's "bread and butter" lap steel guitar from 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 fairly low serial number "2698" is stamped on the bridgeplate where the strings anchor through the body; the pots are original with the visible 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. This particular Champion was part of Steely Dan's Walter Becker's collection, giving it a nice provenance. Even besides that it is just a very cool fine-sounding steel guitar, a genuine early 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.).
This is a very clean and original Champ, the only repair is new buttons on the original Kluson strip tuners, all else remains as it left Fullerton in 1952 The original chipboard case has Walter's studio storage markings attached on pieces of tape, and the estate auction tags are included. Excellent Condition.