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UncleJack - Posted - 01/21/2015: 19:15:28
Hi folks,
I played this wonderful, rich and woody Oahu square neck at a consignment shop and had to buy it. Took to Open D like a champ. Can anyone provide any insights on this particular model? It's larger than the "student" models I've seen around. Hopefully the photos made it through.
Cheers!
Uncle Jack
Alan Rausch - Posted - 01/21/2015: 19:22:02
It looks like the one I have which is a 1935, I have the original case, thumb pick, and bar. I also tuned it to D, could be iffy tuning it too much higher. I know they were offered as a package, monthly lessons and these guitars. I am not an expert on these, but the ones I have seen that go for money are the deluxe versions, fancier. There are fewer of these. They were a bargain instrument during the depression, not really valuable but they have their use.
UncleJack - Posted - 01/21/2015: 20:27:19
Thanks Alan. I think it might be a model 65M based on some internet searching, mid 30's. Wonderful rich, sweet mahogany tone! If anyone can validate from photos, I'd appreciate.
Cheers,
Uncle Jack
Jimmie - Posted - 01/21/2015: 20:41:02
Yes, mid-30s, built by Kay. These mostly mahogany jumbos range from fairly plain to the much-adorned Jumbo Deluxe; all I've played have been excellent instruments. Deep, resonant, fine sustain. I regularly play one of the "Indian head" square necks.
otdobro - Posted - 01/22/2015: 04:22:50
I had one like that. it was hanging on the wall, and I bumped into it, and the whole thing exploded. The sides split all the way around. I think it just had gotten too dried out over the years oldtimedobro.com/images/IM003706.JPG
Slideman1939 - Posted - 01/22/2015: 13:08:23
Sometimes the "Oahu" type non-resonator squareneck guitars can be hard to identify if the peghead decal is missing. Cleveland publishing (Oahu brand) was a publishing company ---not a manufacturer---selling huge amounts of sheet music in Hawaiaan tunings and songs. While most of their manufacturing contracts for "their" private label were placed with KAY manufacturing Co., the Oahu brand ALSO appeared on guitars and amps sub-contracted to HARMONY Co., RICKENBACHER Co. and VALCO Co. (the new name for the old National-Dobro Co. but still headed up by Louis Dopyera)..If the peghead decal is missing sometimes the identification of an "Oahu" would be by body shape and dimension---since there is an "Oahu" by Kay and an Oahu by Harmony which are non-reso squarenecks that look similar but differ slightly in body shapes---but almost all have the oversize soundhole and thin top which tends to "cup' (cave in) just in front of the bridge. For a brand name that did not manufacture their own brand it is amazing the brand name survived from the 1930's until the mid- 1980's..I have a Harmony version where the inside of the body is branded/ hot stamped--Harmony -August 1946 in small letters not quite within sight of the soundhole.. The black colored bridge looks like wood but is actually an aluminum casting with threaded screws underneath.........so that the bridge is actually bolted to the top. The 2 nuts are accessible for underneath by reaching thru the soundhole. I guess this was Harmony Co. solution of the earlier glued bridges seperating from the top. The nut is tall and white fret markers are painted on a painted black fretboard.Sweet sound but poor volume..
kitkat - Posted - 01/24/2015: 01:54:45
Oahu was a company that sold guitars often made by different suppliers. The brand was sold all over the USA cashing in on the steel guitar popularity that was hot in the 40s and beyond. The guitars were for the most part very good. Their non pedal steels often had the National style pickups in them. Oahu was a budget brand that made many guitars.
UncleJack - Posted - 01/24/2015: 20:23:10
Great info on Oahu guitars folks, thanks for that! I really love the mellow, woody tone of this instrument. I actually restrung it with D'addario EJ16 PB lights (.012-.053), in Open D. There is some "give" to the strings, but it just adds to the mellow tone. I'm playing this guitar much like my Weissenborn before I sold that a couple years ago...lots of minor key stuff, solo arrangements, celtic, folk and old timey tunes. Very happy with this find!
Cheers,
Uncle Jack
cobalt - Posted - 01/30/2015: 18:59:28
I have one of these for sale if anybody is interested. I got it from the original owner here in Cleveland
'That's Earl' 1 day
'Bourbon Street Triolian' 12 days
