1962 Supro Bermuda Model #1540
by Dan Rowland
(Kentucky USA)
This guitar has the original case...I have been using it
as a slide guitar exclusively...Now, with new strings on it
I've been playing it more.
The pickups are great!!! Grungy and loud!!!
I also have the Supro catalog from 1962..this model
is pictured.
ANSWER
Hi, Dan--
The Blue Book does not mention this model specifically. I did some research and found some interesting information.
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This is from a 1999 sale of Eric Clapton's guitars--(note the pre-sale estimate).
"Lot #53 - Valco-Supro Model 1540 Bermuda (1963) $8,365
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000)
Donated by Hubert Sumlin"
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Here is YOUR guitar for sale--$1,200
Musurgia Guitars
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Here is the Blue Book general information:
"The Supro trademark was the budget brand of the National Dobro company (See National or Valco), who also supplied Montgomery Wards with Supro models under the Airline trademark. National offered budget versions of their designs under the Supro brand name beginning in 1935.
When National moved to Chicago in 1936, the Supro name was on wood-bodied lap steels, amplifiers, and electric Spanish arch top guitars. The first solid body Supro electrics were introduced in 1952, and the fiberglass models began in 1962 (there´s almost thirty years of conventionally built guitars in the Supro history).
In 1962, Valco Manufacturing Company name was changed to Valco Guitars, Inc. (the same year that fiberglass models debuted). Kay purchased Valco in 1967, so there are some Kay-built guitars under the Supro brand name. Kay went bankrupt in 1968, and both the Supro and National trademarks were acquired by Chicago´s own Strum ´N Drum company. The National name was used on a number of Japanese-built imports, but not the Supro name.
Archer´s Music of Fresno, California bought the rights to the Supro name in the early 1980s. They marketed a number of Supro guitars constructed from new old stock (N.O.S.) parts for a limited period of time (source: Michael Wright, Vintage Guitar Magazine).
Some of these Valco-built models were constructed of molded fiberglass bodies and bolt-on wood/metal necks. While Supro pickups may sound somewhat funky to the modern ear, there is no denying the '50s cool appeal. Play 'em or display 'em. Either way, you can´t go wrong."
Cool Guitar!
Lynne
