Difference between "Oahu Tonemaster" and "Tonemaster" only

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Mark Helm
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Difference between "Oahu Tonemaster" and "Tonemaster" only

Post by Mark Helm »

Hey, gang!

I recently purchased a 25" scale "Tonemaster" lap with checkerboard binding, treble clef bridge cover and P-90 esque pick-up. How is that different from the nearly identical guitar that has "Oahu" above the same treble-clef logo? Mine is pictured....

Thanks!!!
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Remington Steelmaster S8 w/ custom Steeltronics pickup. Vox MV-50 amplifier + an 1940's Oahu cab w/ 8" American Vintage speaker. J. Mascis Fender Squire Jazzmaster, Hofner Club bass, Ibanez AVN4-VMS Artwood Vintage Series Concert Size Acoustic Guitar. 1920s/30s Supertone Hawaiian-themed parlor guitar. Silvertone parlor guitar.
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Jude Reinhardt
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Oahu Tonemaster

Post by Jude Reinhardt »

I believe Valco made the Tonemaster. The ones marked Oahu Tonemaster were made for the Oahu Publishing Co. in Cleveland Ohio. I had two acoustic Oahu lap steel guitars but don't who made them for Oahu Publishing. Oahu also sold lap steel instruction material door to door to go along with the guitars.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Jude
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Guy Cundell
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Post by Guy Cundell »

The exact same guitar with the logo moved down to accommodate the Oahu brand

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Noah Miller
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Post by Noah Miller »

Valco made the later Tonemasters, but both of these pics show earlier Kay-built ones. I don't know which of these logos came first, though.
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Frank James Pracher
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Post by Frank James Pracher »

I have one of each.. same guitar just a different logo.
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one"
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Andy DePaule
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Built by Kay company

Post by Andy DePaule »

They were built by Kay company.
That company also produced them under their own name.

Both Kay and Harmony made many instruments under other names for other companies for many years.

Hope that helps?
Andy
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
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Allen Hutchison
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great resource!

Post by Allen Hutchison »

Check out Michael Lee Allen's very valuable archive thread, page 18, for vintage Tonemaster ads.
Lots of great info to be found throughout.
8)

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=315982
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