The Steel Guitar Forum

Just bit on this Vintage OAHU off of auction site. I think it is from the late 30's but not sure. Still shopping for a 8 string . Maybe this will work to get started. Anybody got any info on these and the amps. I'm thinking this one is pre-war. Thanks
Larry Campbell

You're probably in the 50s with that Oahu. I've got a 50s National that is pretty well identical except for the fingerboard.

Larry--Valco-built instruments like your Oahu can be accurately dated from the little metal tab on the back of the neck:
http://home.provide.net/~cfh/national.html#valco

Chris

Thanks Chris and Peter. I just missed it about 16 years. Its a 1955 according to the serial number. Does anyone know how they sound ? I didn't give too much for it. Thanks

You need one of these! Butcha can't have mine!
Oahu, "Chicago 51"

You will have fun with that one Larry. Those string through Valco pickups can really make an amp scream when they are in good shape.
Here is a link to StewMac for the replacement tuner buttons you will need. That is very common on those to have the buttons crumble from age. There are instructions on the page as to how to install them.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Tune ... 3&xsr=1840

Tom,
You're sure right about those pickups! Whenever I got a studio call, whether for steel or 6-string, I always took my old Rocket along. Just the looks of it made artists and engineers want to hear it. And when they heard it plugged in? I used it a lot!

Thanks for that page, Chris. Had it bookmarked somewhere a while back...My National is a 59 and looks like my Gretsch is a 53. Due to low output on both guitars, didn't really appreciate the Valco tone until I graduated from a 10 watt Fender amp to a 30 watt Roland. Being a newbie with electric guitars and amps, funny now to think of how disappointed I felt by the tone without enough wattage behind it. First time I had it cranked up for a slightly distorted version of Tumblin' Tumbleweed, couldn't stop grinning.

You should enjoy that Oahu, Larry. I find the string spacing a bit close compared to the lap steel I keep in C6 tuning and play the most. Tune my Gretsch and National in open D and open G. The Valcos make for great little guitars.

Larry--I got a Supro Supreme about a year ago, a lot like yours and just a few years older. I thought the pickup was weak-sounding until I got a set of new magnets from Jason Lollar for about $35. These (and having him rewind one of the coils) made a world of difference and the guitar is now a monster. I use it for blues in Open E and it has a ferocious growl that I really like.
http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/merchant.mvc

Chris

Larry Campbell wrote:Does anyone know how they sound ?

David Lindley performing "Your Old Lady" on a Supro with identical pickup to yours:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlothFZzYg

Steinar Gregertsen wrote:

Larry Campbell wrote:Does anyone know how they sound ?

David Lindley performing "Your Old Lady" on a Supro with identical pickup to yours:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlothFZzYg

That's superb - great, great, tone. I love the other guitars on show as well - especially that Dano Longhorn...

That Supro amp in the pic is also built by Valco. Great little amps in my opinion.

Hi,

These Supro/Valcos with the strings-through pickup are hard to beat. They also sound great played "clean."

Best,

Bob

Bill C,
You are correct! Those Valco-made amps have gotten the nickname "Chicago 51" which I believe was part of Valco's address in Chicago.

Thanks for all the replies. Im in steel guitar heaven for now. Just took delivery of GEORGEBOARD STEALTH Lucky # 7, and have the Oahu enroute. There are so many models to choose from a novice like me can get confused. . I am using my Mesa Boogie Bass amplifier for now. It has been suggested I need a reverb unit . I enjoy this forum !

That looks like it's in beautiful shape, Larry -- congrats on getting a terrific steel. I love my Supro with the string-through pickup -- there is nothing else that sounds like that, and it's great for clean and overdriven tones.

The GeorgeBoards Stealth is on my wishlist, too, Larry. What a beauty. Happy playin'.