True... I have a 50's Framus lap steel, another next-to-nothing deal. Once I cleaned the pots/controls and changed strings it sounded just fine... Funny, in the 60's, instruments from the 50's weren't that old or rare... I guess we all get that way..., the ones that aren't too smashed up!! and Mister Lester Paul aka Rhubarb Red is still going !...