Supro Electrics?

Royals32

Anybody know anything about the company in general? My sister-in-law is at an estate sale and they have an old Supro electric for $200. It's pink (!?!?).

I know the year, model, condition and construction are all factors in determining the value of a guitar so I'm not asking what anyone thinks it's worth, my question really is...is this even worth pursuing or do they make 100% junk?

ianvomsaal

Royals32 wrote:

Anybody know anything about the company in general? My sister-in-law is at an estate sale and they have an old Supro electric for $200. It's pink (!?!?).

I know the year, model, condition and construction are all factors in determining the value of a guitar so I'm not asking what anyone thinks it's worth, my question really is...is this even worth pursuing or do they make 100% junk?

Yes, make, model, year, and condition are huge factors for Supro's - okay,
lets put it this way, in excellent condition "ALL ORIGINAL" some models are
worth maybe $250 (at most) while other models (like the Silverwood/Val-trol
& Martinique) can be worth as much as $2250, maybe more - UNDERSTAND?
Here's the history:
Supro 1935-1968, and 2004-present. Budget brand of national Dobro Co and
Valco. Some Supro models also sold under the Airline brand for Montgomery
Ward. In '42 Victor Smith, Al Frost, and Louis Dopyera bought National and
changed the name to Valco Manufacturing Company. The Valco Manufacturing
Company name changed to Valso Guitars, Inc., in '62. The Company treasurer
Robert Engelhardt bought Valco in '64. In '67 Valso bought Kay and in '68
Valco/Kay went out of business. In the summer of '69, Valco/Kay brands and
assets were sold at auction and the Supro and National names purchased by
Chicago-area importer and dustributor Strum N' Drum (Norma, Noble). In the
early 80's, ownership of the Supro Name was transferred to Archer's Music,
Fresno, California. Some Supro's assembled from new-old stock parts.
- Amp builders Bruce Zinky revived the Supro name for a line of guitars built in
the U.S. by luthier John Bolin and others. He also offers amps.

I'd suggest you find out what it is, and it's condition - could be a winner or a stinker.
Cheers . . .

- Ian

Piper At The Gates

I really like the old Supro amps, I have this little Airline (Montgomery Wards) 5 watter with an 8 inch speaker, that was made by Supro and I love it. It starts breaking up at less than half way up and from there on in it has a great crunch sound, especially with single coils.
Supro amps have really gone up in value the past few years, especially the Thunderbolt. Jimmy Page used them in the studio so that has upped the value of them.

Royals32

Thanks for your help Ian!

Turns out it's a mini lap-steel type thing. Very strange looking. They wanted $200.

This is what it looked like:

http://www.rickalexander.com/BigSteel/RedSuproSupreme_01.jpg


I passed.