The Steel Guitar Forum

Aloha Jack,

You're correct. The Fender she's using is from Japan; that's what she told me when I asked her.

I was backstage with her at the Queen Kapiolani and the Ala Wai Clubhouse before she went on stage and had a good look at her steel. I recall it being a 6 stringer tuned to a basic C6th.

She was a bit nervous playing amongst the heavyweight steel players at the clubhouse (shown in the youtube video), but she really put on a show at the Queen K ballroom the day before.

It's great to see a female so young playing at this caliber. Just imagine what she'll be doing with the steel 20 years from now.

I suspect she will be even better in only a few years. Young people pick things up much quicker than us geezers

That was great, thanks for the link Gerald!
Yumiko has a beautiful voice, both from her lips and through her steel.

Bill Creller wrote:I suspect she will be even better in only a few years.

Bill, if you say that from just viewing these few vids, or even the recent Honolulu shows, forget it, she's WAY better now and may have no end to her accomplishments.

Ron Whitfield wrote:Les, it's most probably a Canopus. They are made in Japan and the owner is an aggressive promoter.

Reminds me of a funny story......about 7 or 8 years ago I bought a Canopus D8 that was on ebay (nobody seemed interested in it and I picked it up for $650.00).....and soon after I sent it to Jody to play & evaluate....Jody loved it and was very impressed......so much so, that he thought he would like to buy one and he contacted the builder in Japan...Yasu.....

At that time I didn't recall any prices on his website...so when Jody inquired as to the price.....Yasu's response was....."It will cost you more than you think".....we were hysterical laughing at that......not quite the sales pitch we practice here....

Perhaps something was mucked up in the translation or it wasn't meant as it read.....but it was too funny......to us, anyhow......

My only take on it is from those in Hawaii that he uses to promote his steels, which they get for free, but are expected to play them any time they are in public.
He's probably used to getting the shocked expressions when a buyer inquires. But that was certainly an honest answer he gave.

Some, like Keoki Lake, really like them.

...unfortunately only in Japan, it seems....

Fear not, I started when I was 17. I'm 19 now.


-Chase

Chase Swan wrote:

...unfortunately only in Japan, it seems....

Fear not, I started when I was 17. I'm 19 now.


-Chase

Chase,

Keep going, young man, I like your style

Then there's 12-yo William, my budding protege-
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=176645

Josh

When Yaz said,....."It will cost you more than you think"..... He wasn't kidding was he.

He must not have told you the price, because if he had you would not be laughing, you would be dying of a heart attack.

Yumiko was a delight to meet. She has loads of personality and charm as well as having a tremendous talent.

She also wowed us at the Thursday night Marriott Hawaiian show, with Alan Akaka, etc.

Aloha,
Don