Melotone

Paul Alcantara · Post by **Paul Alcantara** » 21 Sep 2010 7:26 am

Is anyone familiar with the Melotone brand name? I have a Melotone lap steel that looks very much like a Rickenbacker model B but with a crinkle painted wooden body, plexiglas fingerboard and horseshoe pickup. It has a luggage linen case that looks identical to cases I have seen with 1930s model Bs.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 21 Sep 2010 9:37 am

Can you post pix, Paul? It sounds like an interesting steel, and nothing comes up on a quick search.

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 23 Sep 2010 3:17 pm

There were some Rickenbacker-made steels that were assembled from USA parts in the UK and carried non-Rickenbacker brand names. There was a thread about this somewhere in the last month or so.

(I've found an early (1923 or earlier) Weissenborn-made acoustic steel "Mello-Tone" with another person's name and address on the label, but I doubt there's a connection.)

Steven Zillmer · Post by **Steven Zillmer** » 14 Jan 2011 9:43 am

FYI I've got a Melotone lap steel for sale on EBay.
A handful of pictures included.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 500wt_1064

Just received an informative email about the Melotone from Jonathan King at Guitar Vintners. I'll add info to the EBay listing after I research his questions about pickup width, etc.

Steven Zillmer · Post by **Steven Zillmer** » 14 Jan 2011 9:47 am

Note to self: review the Forum Rules and Policies before posting.

Apologies for the EBay link in a discussion forum, although the link was intended as much for informative purposes (photos of the Melotone) as for generating buyer interest.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 14 Jan 2011 11:12 am

Steven, regardless, it's an item most of us would have missed otherwise so let 'em bring it up at the Pearly Gates.

What is the body & neck made of, and can you post some sound?

Jon King · Post by **Jon King** » 14 Jan 2011 12:00 pm

Steven, Glad to see you found your way to the SGF. I look forward to learning more about your Melotone. It's an interesting guitar. Very cool.
I asked for comments in another post. I'll try to see that comments are cross referenced or you can check on the other topic at: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 19#1729119
"Ricky connection with Melotone"

Jeff Carn · Post by **Jeff Carn** » 31 Jul 2015 5:37 am

I have a Melotone Troubadour 8 string, walnut & maple body. I was looking for info on it myself. Had it for years, never used it. Since listening to Santo & Johnny Sleep Walk & particularly Tear Drop, I have a strong interest in learning, if I could figure out how to get that haunting sound. Playing Emmons Legrand for 30 years. I think I'm hooked on lap steel now. Any info would be appreciated.Thanks

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Melotone lap steel for sale on EBay

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