What Is Classic Hawaiian Tone To You?

Bob Snelgrove · From: san jose, ca

Hi Gang,

To me, it's a clear, but not too bright, almost "hollow" sound. My Magnatone has more of it than the Stringmaster, but in all fairness, I only comparing through my sound card with a little delay/reverb. I haven't tried either through a nice (tube) amp and the Stringmaster has some very old (but unused) strings that I had laying around.

Someone described "Clarinet" like tone.

To me, Bud Tutmarc has it over anyone I have heard. Jerry Byrd doesn't. He is obviously an incredible player, but his sound to me sounds more like a pedal steel!

Also, the Magnatone "feels" more Hawaiian. The Stringmaster "feels" more like I'm sitting behind one of my pedal steels.

I realize tone is subjective, but thought I would just stir up some stuff

JUST KIDDING

thx

Bob

Rick Aiello · From: Berryville, VA USA

If you asked JB to play Tomi Tomi as heard on D. McIntire's record -HE COULD DO IT. Andy Iona, Sol Hoopii, Billy Hew Len, etc.... I'm CERTAIN that he could imitate and produce the EXACT tone as any one of these great players.

He chooses to play and sound like JB - and I doubt any of the above - as great as they were (or any livin' steel player for that matter) could sound like JB.

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 12 December 2001 at 10:00 AM.]

mikey · From: New Jersey

the late Barney Issacs on either electric (Fender Stringmaster)that's the sound of Classic Hawaiian Tone to me...or Acoustic Dobro in C6 on Hawaiian Touch w/George Kuo...he was the classic sound of Hawaiian steel to me...so...after saying that, to answer your question, A Fender Stringmaster(and probably a Fender amp)...but the tone was from his HANDS & HEART...not the instrument...I've heard guys play basically planks of cheap wood w/strings that could make you cry....It's the player, not the tools...
Mike

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Ahmen Brother Rick!
BOB...I'm having difficulty with your post inasmuch as I respect your bonafide and undeniable right to express your personal opinion here on the Forum, as in any other situation/location.
However some of your comments do raise musical questions in my mind.
Rather than get into a "I'm right, you're wrong" kinda debate, I'd much prefer to refer you to the old Mercury album "Nani Hawaii" featuring JERRY BYRD with Danny Kuaana & His Islanders.
If you want to talk about tone....I strongly urge you to listen to each and ever record in this one album....then to each and every phrase that Jerry plays....then to each and every note he plays.
This IS WHAT TONE is all about. If one can't determine (after listening to this one album) what HAWAIIAN TONE is.......Oh well.
A number of Jerry Byrd's most loyal admirers.....will agree with you to some extent that his latest recordings....on the double neck guitar has a "similar" tone/sound to many currently manufactured pedal steel guitars. This is not being critical of Jerry Byrd's creativity nor his technical, musical skills.
For those of us who find ourselves hopelessly locked-into this TIME WARP of the 1940-1960's....we believe one of the finest examples of "TONE" can be found in the album listed above. Of course, there are hundreds of other examples, but this being a Hawaiian album, recorded with real Hawaiians, would tend to lend more credibility to my response than would any reference made to Hank Williams..."I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" or
those Ernest Tubb, Red Foley, Jimmy Wakely, Ernie Lee, Rex Allen (Sr.), Lulu Belle & Scotty, Clyde Moody, Cowboy Copas, Patty Page, Bob Eaton, Louis Innis, Zeb Turner, The Harmonicats, The Country All-Stars, The Country Cats, Neil Burris, Hawkshaw Hawkins,
Montana Slim, Slim Whitman, Marty Robbins, Guy Mitchell, George Morgan, Grandpa Jones, Minnie Pearl, Jack Turner, Goldie Hill, Carl Smith, Homer & Jethro, Red Perkins, Tommy Sosebee, Wally Fowler, Lucky Brothers, York Brothers, Johnny Maddox, Sunny James, Bobby Williamson, Roy King, Beaver Valley Sweethearts, Davis Sisters, Judy Perkins, Red Kirk, Kenny Roberts, Hank Snow, Jimmy Osborne, Hank Lochlin, Bob Newman, Anne Jones, Owen Bradley, Mattie O'Neal, Mimi Roman, etc., etc.
Tone is obviously determined in the EAR/MIND of the individual listener and is affected by many, many variable factors. I've merely attempted to provide you with an "audible target" so that you might have some kind of "hard" example of what I believe Hawaiian Tone to be.
Good Luck to you.

Bob Snelgrove · From: san jose, ca

Thanks, Ray,

I will check that album. I should have said that I have only listened to the "Byrd Of Paradise" album. Not hardly fair to judge from one record.

I will reiterate that *FOR ME*, the Bud Tutmarc "To You Sweetheart Aloha" is the sound that moves me

thx

bob

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

Well, I know that for me, the old Dick McIntire stuff gives me the goose flesh when I think of what I would describe as "Hawaiian tone."

On a side note, about playing Hawaiian music in general, I've had the privledge of playing with Mr. Dick Sanft lately, and I agree with what someone said about "it's in the hands and heart, not the gear." As most of you probably know, Dick is a native Hawaiian, and has been playing for probably 50+ years. It's amazing that the top of my head doesn't just fall off from the big, EAR TO EAR, you-know-what-eatin' GRIN on my face when we're playing together! I play my Stringmaster, and it sounds OK. Dick plays the same guitar, and it comes alive!

So much tonal varience, just from his hands!

We have a short gig this Friday night, and dang -- I CAN'T WAIT!
TJW

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (Amaj9, E13, C6) or 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6) through an old Super Reverb or Deluxe; Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G)

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

If Jerry Byrd sounds like he's playing a pedal steel maybe it's because he is (less the pedals). His double neck is maybe an Excel and that is basically a pedal steel without the pedals.
For the real Hawaiian sound you need a recording with the sound of the surf in the background and visions of hula dancers rotating their crops.
To heck with visions of sugar plums give me those hula dancers anytime!
Erv

Bob Snelgrove · From: san jose, ca

Erv

Do you have a specific Byrd album in mind?

I should have known better than to pre-judge Jerry based on only one album. Besides that, my friend and hero Bobby Black idolizes Jerry and that should be enough for me

Bob

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Bob:
Sorry! I'm too busy thinking about the hula dancers!
Erv

Kenny Dail · From: Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.

Ray, Bob and Erv, I will admit that Jerry Byrd was and is my all time favorite player as well as my reason for wanting to learn to play steel. I have listened to many Steelers and for various sounds and effects also are included in my catalog of favorites. One of those musicians is a Hawaiian player that also has now passed on. To my personal taste, he epitomizes the Hawaiian tone as well as the traditional licks and trick phrases that all the Hawaiian players are noted for. I know this is a big buildup for what some of you may say is a 'letdown' but the musician I am speaking of is Billy Hew Lin. There is not a lot of his recorded work around but if you can find any of his stuff either as an instrumentalist or filling behind a vocalist, please take the time to listen to this man. He definately had the "Hawaiian Touch".

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kd...and the beat goes on...

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

TONE is in the ears of the beholder. For me, the nahi-nahi Hawaiian sound came from (the late) Barney Isaacs who, for the last 25 years 'Hawai'i Calls' was aired gave the free world a true Hawaiian experience and sound. I have to correct a few of you on Billy's last name...it is NOT Billy Hew Lin, rather Billy Hew Len. Billy's unique sound came from his (gloved) left hand which had a real jazzy vibrato. Man, that man was so great and I will always cherish the memory of sitting beside him jamming away together. Also, another correction, Dick Sanft is NOT a Hawaiian. He sure plays mighty fine steel! As for Jerry's tone...what more can be said about The Master which has not already been said ? His tone may have originated in Nashville, but over the years he captured the Hawaiian feeling and tone long before he moved to Hawai'i. As for my all-time favorite, Dick McIntire has to top them all.

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

Hey George, and everyone -- my sincere apologies (especially to Mr. Sanft!) about my assuming that he was native Hawaiian. His command of the Hawaiian language made me assume that he was, and well, we ALL know what happens when we ASSUME!

My mistake -- sorry!

In any case, can't wait until 11:00 today, as I get to hang out with Dick for a couple hours, and do some rehearsing for our short 1-hour gig this Friday night over in Tampa. He told me he just purchased an old National double-neck, and I can't wait to hear him play it. I'm also going to see if we can't record our rehearsal, and maybe somehow figure out how to post a clip.

Take care,
TJW

John Tipka · From: Reynoldsburg,OH

George,

You're right about Dick Sanft.. He is from Tonga via New Zealand to Florida...And Billy Hew Len's grandson, Casey Olsen, is picking up where Billy left off. The youngest of all of Jerry Byrd's students shines brilliantly among Hawai`i's steel guitar stars. Remember that he replaced Barney on Hawai`i Calls and Jerry at the Halekulani House Without A Key..He plays marches with eye blinding speed and superb intonation, jazz and improvisational jazz with verve, but can switch in an instant to the sweet nahe-nahe sound we all love about the Hawaiian music. Everybody should keep their ears and eyes open for more from this young virtuoso..

John

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

I'm not a Hawaiian afficianado like many of you, but I grew up in the 50s listening to Jerry Byrd on the Eddie Hill Show before going to school every day for several years. I agree that his tone is more mellow than the stereotyped Hawaiian sound, but ---BOY--- is it ever beautiful!

Within my meager little collection, the one tune that I picked up on was on a Buddy Emmons album where he did a medley of classic steel guitar tunes and used appropriate instruments for the period and style. The Hawaiian song was "That's the Hawaiian in Me" and -- if that ain't great, classic Hawaiian tone I'll eat your hat. The man can do it all.

Just my (uneducated) opinion.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Bill Leff · From: Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Don't forget Benny Rogers and David "Feets" Rogers. The harmonics alone bring tears to my eyes.

Kenny Dail · From: Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.

My apologies the the Billy Hew Len's family. I also agree with Mr. Lake, Mr. Barney Isaacs Sr. was the "Sound of the Hawqaiian Steel Guitar". Thanks for correcting the spelling for me George.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

I kind of got scorched on this one last time it came up but I can't stop myself from jumpin' in. Okay ...

For emotion, sincerity and simple beauty:
Dick McIntire
David "Feets" Rogers (I agree, Bill!)
Barney Issacs
David Keli'i

For jazzy Hawaiian Sounds:
Billy Hew Len
Casey Olsen
Duke Ching
Ralph Kolsiana (who did he have to listen to?)
Sol Ho'oppi'i
Bob Brozman (but only BEFORE he has his morning coffee)

In a realm all his own ... beyond category:
Jerry Byrd

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 12 December 2001 at 11:09 AM.]

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

My personal opinion of a REAL Hawaiian tone was the great sound of (the late) Barney Isaacs. For 25 years he played to the free world on "Hawai'i Calls" and everyone heard "his" sound. Prior to Barney, Dick McIntire has to be the "king" of Hawaiian tone and beauty. I play his music over and over and each time I hear someting "new" in his tone and musicianship. Billy Hew Len, (note the spelling..NOT Lin), had a great Hawaiian jazz sound which I attribute in part to his gloved left hand. This created a very unique vibrato as it came from his arm instead of his wrist. I will always cherish the jam session when Billy and I sat side by side bashing away! Oh, I am positive Dick Sanft is NOT Hawaiian...(possibly Tongan?)...but here is another fine steel guitarist. As for Jerry, no further comment. For what more can be said about this genius amongst us who is the absolute Master of the steel guitar ?
****I must apologize for the duplication of my message. I did not receive a confirmation my first message was accepted, so I tried again.

[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 13 December 2001 at 03:08 PM]
***Just noticed this message is basically a repeat of the above message which didn't show up on my monitor...sorry, folks

[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 13 December 2001 at 11:36 PM.]

Bob Snelgrove · From: san jose, ca

Ray,

I looked high and low for:

"the old Mercury album "Nani Hawaii" featuring JERRY BYRD with Danny Kuaana & His Islanders."

anyone know where I could find it or a copy if it is out of print?

thx

bob

Jack Byrd · From: Kalamazoo, Michigan

I believe I can be of some help. The album Nani Hawaii was recorded around 1950 and first came out in a album with four 78's in it. Jerry recorded the album using his six string Richenbacher that was 12 years old at the time. It was a Mercury recording number A-83 and included these songs.
Maui Chimes/I Regret To Say Aloha #6264
Makalapua/Kaimana Hila # 6266
Be Mine, Sweetheart, Be Mine/Kaulana O Hilo Hanakahi #6266
Hilo March/Little Lani Jo # 6267

The last song was dedicated to his small daughter at the time.

He recorded this album with Danny Kuaana and his Islanders.

The album was also released by Mercury in 10 inch LP format #MG 25077 and EP format EP1-3024.

As you relize they all are out of production and the only way you will ba able to obtain it is in the secondary market. As A kid we wore our album out many years ago but I was forunate to obtain the 78 album this year on ebay for $16. Very lucky for me. I have seen it come up on ebay since so keep an eye out for it there.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

I have this record on a worn out cassette tape. JB's tone on this record is just magnificent.

Dave Mayes · From: Oakland, Ca.

Seven of the "Nani Hawaii" tunes are found on JB's 12" Lp titled "The Shores of Waikiki". This one pops up on eBay from time to time.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

I am also fortunate....I have one of the Mercury "On the Shores of Waikiki".

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