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Difference between "Oahu Tonemaster" and "Tonemaster" only
Posted: 26 Jul 2017 9:15 pm
by Mark Helm
Hey, gang!
I recently purchased a 25" scale "Tonemaster" lap with checkerboard binding, treble clef bridge cover and P-90 esque pick-up. How is that different from the nearly identical guitar that has "Oahu" above the same treble-clef logo? Mine is pictured....
Thanks!!!
Oahu Tonemaster
Posted: 27 Jul 2017 2:42 am
by Jude Reinhardt
I believe Valco made the Tonemaster. The ones marked Oahu Tonemaster were made for the Oahu Publishing Co. in Cleveland Ohio. I had two acoustic Oahu lap steel guitars but don't who made them for Oahu Publishing. Oahu also sold lap steel instruction material door to door to go along with the guitars.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Jude
Posted: 27 Jul 2017 3:21 am
by Guy Cundell
The exact same guitar with the logo moved down to accommodate the Oahu brand
Posted: 27 Jul 2017 3:49 am
by Noah Miller
Valco made the later Tonemasters, but both of these pics show earlier Kay-built ones. I don't know which of these logos came first, though.
Posted: 27 Jul 2017 4:00 am
by Frank James Pracher
I have one of each.. same guitar just a different logo.
Built by Kay company
Posted: 29 Jul 2017 8:40 am
by Andy DePaule
They were built by Kay company.
That company also produced them under their own name.
Both Kay and Harmony made many instruments under other names for other companies for many years.
Hope that helps?
Andy
great resource!
Posted: 29 Jul 2017 2:40 pm
by Allen Hutchison
Check out Michael Lee Allen's very valuable archive thread, page 18, for vintage Tonemaster ads.
Lots of great info to be found throughout.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=315982