1946 Fender Princeton Lap Steel – Mahogany
Description
This 1946 Princeton Lap Steel is a cool first-year example! In the early 40s, Fender humbly began as K&F Manufacturing, a budding musical instrument company created by radio repairman Leo Fender and Rickenbacker alumnus Doc Kauffman. Following their patent for a new type of lap steel pickup, Kauffman and Fender manufactured small batches of lap steels and amplifiers. When Kauffman left the company in 1946, Leo continued, founding Fender Musical Instruments. To throw in a cliche: the rest is history. This lap steel would have been made in the first year that Fender stood alone, as evidenced by the early, lightning bolt-style logo on the headplate. This early steel model features a hardwired cord and a single volume control knob. All of the components are metal, including this fretboard, which sports Roman numeral markers. Inside this original case, you will find some older metal slides and fingerpicks, giving you everything you need to play this historic Fender instrument.
Overall Condition: 6.5
Specifications
- finish_details Mahogany, Original, Fair Condition, general playwear, marks to finish, "R.M." carved into back of body
- body_material Ash
- neck_material
- fretboard_material Aluminum
- neck_profile
- weight 4 lbs 15 oz
- scale_length 22-1/2"
- pickup_readings 5.49K
- tubes
- speakers
- electronics Rewound Pickup, otherwise original
- nut_width 2-1/8"
- hardware Original, Fair Condition, patina and general wear to metal components
- includes Original Case, two metal slides, three metal fingerpicks, original pickup pieces removed during repair
- year 1946