Buying Guitars in HI?

[Tim Smith]

Hi Folks,

I'm relatively new to SGF and I think this is the first time I've posted.

I'm making my second trip to Hawaii in about six weeks (the first trip is when I got hooked on Hawaiian music, Hawaiian guitar and uke). I'm wondering if there's any bargains or especially good values to discover by shopping for guitars (and ukes, for that matter) in Hawaii.

I'm still a (struggling) fledging steel player, if that, but I'd love to find a cool, cheapish guitar to continue learning with -- acoustic, electic, resonator, or whatever. Are there stores that specialize in such things on Oahu, Maui, or Kauai?

Even if I don't purchase anything, I'd love to check out a place where I can see and, hopefully, play some guitars. I live in Boston, MA USA and we rarely see steel guitars of any kind in guitar stores around here. Just seeing some old vintage steels hanging on a wall would be a treat.

During my first trip to HI, two years ago, I went into a guitar shop in Hilo and had a nice chat about ukes and guitars with the owner of the store, a very amiable Scot, who's name I can't recall. He had tons of ukes and said he couldn't keep them in stock, they sold so quick. I asked about steels -- there were none in sight -- and he said there's virtually no market for them. Was that an abberation or reflective of a trend?

Thanks,
Tim in Boston

Currently I'm playing a Carter Starter pedal steel with the top 2 strings and pedals removed, strung for 8 string C6 and a 6 string Morrel lap steel that seems to want to tune itself into something unfit for most human ears (my cat likes it, though).

[Rick Alexander]

Hi Tim, welcome to the forum. I know what you mean about seeing all the vintage steels in a store - it would be great. But I don't know of a store like that anywhere.
However, if you're ever in South Florida you're welcome to stop by the studio and check out my steels. Pics of them can be seen here.


RA

[Michael Lee Allen]

REMOVED

[ebb]

i got my 1920s kona from island guitars 25 years ago for $450. i refused not to carry it on the plane back so i waited with vernon reid from living color who also insisted on bringing his guitar onboard.

[Jeff Au Hoy]

I live on O'ahu and I only shop at GoodGuys Music in Kapahulu (1 minute from Waikiki).

Island Guitars is a neat place to try lots of flattop stuff. It's even nicer if you're loaded and can pay the prices in there. I've never bought anything from there.

[AJ Azure]

http://www.wailua-instruments.com/

for a luthier in HI

[Jay Yuskaitis]

Hi Tim,
I'm just down the road from you in Brockton.
Jay Y.

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[Denny Turner]

Welcome Aboard, Tim,

I have a small teaching studio and guitar shop at my home on the Northshore of Oahu. The studio/shop has been in a state of low-key business activity for awhile but should be back up to speed by the time you visit Hawaii; Certainly enough to line up a smorgasborg of Steels for you to play to your heart's content.

I think I have the largest inventory of non-pedal Steel Guitars in Hawaii.

I would be delighted for you to come and park yer buns and soul and play as many Steels, and as long, as you desire. My backyard is on a mighty fine beach should you and your guests desire. If you come on a weekend, we'd likely be able to provide you an Ohana guide for Northshore sites and activities you might want to visit; Advance commo / planning prerequisite.

Satellite image and road map available here. Type this address into the search window: 67293 Kahaone Waialua Hi. Use the map's zoom in/out "throttle" to orient larger scales (broader views) of the island and state. You can slew the map in it's window by placing your cursor on it and holding down the left mouse button while you slew the cursor thus map in any direction.

Please commo via email:
My contacts.

Aloha,
Denny T~
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 05 January 2006 at 09:50 AM.]</p></FONT>

[AJ Azure]

Hey Tim and Jay I'm down the road from both of you in Mansfield