Old German lap steel ???

[Eddie Cunningham]

Does any of our German forumites know anything about a "Belltona"- name=?? 8 string lap steel made in Berlin ?? They also made a double 8 . I bought an 8 stringer in Augsburg in 1952 and it was a pretty neat steel !! Looked and played real well. It got caught in a dirty flood right after I got back home and was ruined, I couldn't save anything !! I wondered if anyone remembered or knew anything about the company ?? Thanks !! olde geeze - AKA Eddie "C"

[Dale R Stiles]

Eddie, are you sure it wasn't a Beleton?

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=212389

http://www.8stringguitar.org/for-sale/b ... rare/3958/

Hope this helps.

Happy Trails
Dale

[Eddie Cunningham]

Yes Dale , that is probably the name !! It's been 62 years since I bought her so my memory may not be perfect !! The steel in the picture doesn't look like mine and is different in many ways. But thanks anyway for the info !! olde geeze - AKA Eddie "C"

[Paul Seager]

Hello Eddie, greetings from Augsburg

Beletons do surface every now and again on the German eBay site and generally fetch a lower price in comparison with other old German steels (e.g., Framus). Strange really because I always thought that their 8 string (see the link in Dale's reply) is a nice looking model.

I've never found out much about them other than this site: http://www.euroguitars.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2438

\ paul

[Brad Bechtel]

Thanks for the link, Paul. Beleton steel guitars are extremely rare in the USA - I've never seen one in person.

[Eddie Cunningham]

Thanks Paul from Augsburg !! The site you posted was real interesting !! Some nice looking steels and amps but no steels like the one I had !! Mine was all black & chrome and I felt real bad when it got flooded and ruined !! I had bought her in 1952 so maybe they changed their models later ?? Anyway thanks to all for the info !! olde geeze - AKA Eddie "C"