1940 Oahu lap guitar: (exc) When the Hawaiian craze hit the mainland in the early part of the last century, manufacturers, music stores and music teachers couldn't wait to jump on the outrigger and present an eager public with all things Hawaiian. In "mainland Hawaii" AKA California, several businesses, including the Oahu Publishing Company, had mid-west makers such as Regal produce instruments. These instruments were packaged with a cotton strap, music books, steel bar and fingerpicks so that the aspiring musician was ready to go. The Oahu series came in many sizes and quality of decoration. The student series, of which this is one example, came in three sizes, the very small model, similar to the 3/4 size Harmony guitars, the medium, almost the same dimensions as a Martin 00, and the 'jumbo' as evidenced here. A great instrument for someone who would like to be a part of the 21st century Hawaiian popularity. With chipboard case $500. Stock#UGB25935 photo
1946 Regal lap guitar: (exc) Regal was a major manufacturer in Chicago for many years. They also built instruments under the names Oahu, Washburn and many others. This Hawaiian lap guitar features a deep body with a decorative glod leaf decal on the lower bout. Upscale, folks! With chipboard case $850 Stock#UGB28656
JUST IN!! 1952 Fender Dual 8 Professional Blond: This is easily one of THEE CLEANEST Fender Dual 8 Professional models we've ever seen. Double 8-string setup, ash body with blond translucent finish, string-through trapezoidal pickups with horseshoe style magnetic surrounds, short scale. These babies have a nice bite for western swing and the shorter scale is friendly for Hawaiian-style slants. Includes original tweed hard shell case and legs. Buffalo Bros price: $1650 Stock #ULB30913. photo
Early-'60s Harmony Lap Steel Copper Finish: How cool is this?!?! Dig that crazy moderne design, kinda like a skyscraper...or maybe a shark tooth! Killer deco style stenciled fretboard. Most likely a pine body, this single pickup baby is like the lapsteel version of the Stratotone. With gig bag. Buffalo Bros price: $200! Stock #ULB30934. photo
JUST IN!! ca. 1938 Rickenbacker B-6 Lap Steel: Don't look now ~ but we just snagged this kick butt little lapsteel with the original hardcase too! Get down to the shop fast before she's gone! $1,000. Stock #ULB30883 photo
ca. 1935/'36 Rickenbacker Electro Spanish Black Bakelite ~~~ RARE RARE RARE ~~~: (EXC) In an historical sense, the Rickenbacker Electro Spanish is certainly one of the most interesting models as it was the first commercially produced, American-made electric guitars as a standard or rounded neck. The guitar was introduced in 1935 at the same time as it's more famous sibling, the Model B bakelite Electro Hawaiian. Although the company did produce some wood bodied electrics around the same time, the Electro Spanish was the only standard style instrument being made with a completely solid bakelite body. Unfortunately they were just too far ahead of their time and the model only lasted a few short years. During that short time the model offered an even more radical motorized vibrato system designed by Clayton Orr "Doc" Kauffman, who would a few years later team up with Leo Fender. Oddly enough, Fender's Broadcaster shared some of the design elements that were found on the Electro Spanish, namely the bolt-on neck design, string-through body and bridge postion pickup. In a sense the Electro Spanish could be viewed as the impetus for the made in California solidbody electric guitars to be produced in later years. This incarnation features the classic bakelite body with chrome covers, the legendary horseshoe pickup with pre-war 1-1/2" wide magnets "Pat. Pend." stamped on the mounting bracket, single volume control (although it appears that the tone control option was available as there is a plug in the plate where the control could be mounted), rounded neck with integrated frets molded into the fingerboard. Although this has seen a little bit of use a standard electric guitar and there is a tiny bit of wear to some of the frets, there are signs of a nut extender so that the instrument could be used as a lap steel. The Rickenbacker (or Rickebacher as is the original spelling on the headstock) Electro Spanish is a very seldom seen model and could be considered a museum piece. Well, eccentric as it is, this truly unique instrument has an incredible sound. Also included is the original rectangular hard shell case with red plus lining. Buffalo Brothers price: $4500 Stock #UGB29396. PHOTO
ca. 1950s Supro Lap Steel / Amp Set White/Gold Crackle Finish: (EXC) This is just about the coolest little lap steel set that we've seen in years! Although the set bears no name plates, it's pretty safe to say that this was made in the same factory as the Supro models. The lap steel is a graceful "Spanish" shape with single pickup with volume and tone controls placed on either side of the pickup. The matching amp continues the less-is-more approach with single volume control, 1x6" field coil speaker. Ultra hip and seldom seen! Original faux alligator chipboard case for lap steel included. $850 for the set! Stock #UAB28918 and ULB28917. PHOTO
The Bros. have yielded to their heritage. After years of listening to the sound of these unique instruments on the recordings of the great Fado singer, Amalia Rodrigues that we heard in Grandma's house in our younger years, we have taken the plunge and are seriously carrying a selection of "Portuguese Guitars". We are also interested in obtaining any old Guitarras Portuguesas you may have lurking in your attic, closet or basement. Watch this space, we are going to fill it up with instruments very soon.
New! Severa model: Made in Portugal. The Severa model is a Lisboa style guitarra, it is named after the first famous fado singer. Maria da Severa who lived and loved in Lisboa (1820-1846). This guitarra has a solid spruce soundboard, ebony fingerboard, solid maple back and sides, two piece bridge, mother of pearl design rosette inlay, carved back of head. With hard case $1600 Stock#NGP0002
~~~Don't forget to check out our selection of effects!~~~
Looking for something special? We can't possibly list all we have ~ so please ask!