Pomai Brown

Levi Gemmell · Post by **Levi Gemmell** » 13 Nov 2023 8:42 pm

A question probably for those who get to the various steel guitar festivals in Hawai'i.

Anybody know what kind of steel Pomai Brown plays? Great touch and tone! I understand he studied with Jerry Byrd when he was young.

I've seen him with what looks to be a Sho~Bud with his name on the front. I think I've also seen him with a Canopus?

Nic Neufeld · Post by **Nic Neufeld** » 14 Nov 2023 11:36 am

I've been to, well, one, and he didn't play then. But just googling videos and images, it looks like a very common one is that branded one you mentioned maybe being a ShoBud. Definitely a pedal-style console S10, maybe made custom? Or at least, customized. Canopus are pretty common with players in the islands too (especially in the 90s, 00s it seems like).

Levi Gemmell · Post by **Levi Gemmell** » 14 Nov 2023 12:25 pm

Thanks Nick. Alternatively, if not a Sho~Bud then perhaps an Excel without pedals? If you told me it was a custom based on the Jerry Byrd model, I'd believe it. Obviously that particular axe is not a Canopus...

The reason I mention Canopus is because I used to follow a hula dancer on Facebook who regularly posted her performances at the Halekulani, and I'm sure it was Pomai, and I'm sure it was a Canopus - but I just can't quite remember!

Tony Oresteen · Post by **Tony Oresteen** » 14 Nov 2023 5:38 pm

Looking at his videos, it is not a Sho-Bud. I think he has a custom built cabinet using a pair of PSG end pieces to hold the legs. Since it has 5 tuners on the treble side I assume it is a 10 string but it could be a 6, 7, or 8 - I've seen sacred steel players using a PSG ten string head strung with six strings.

To me it appears to be a shorter scale than the 24" standard PSG - I assume it is a 22.5" scale.

I could see no sign of pedals so it is a console steel guitar.

He sounds good to me!