ID unusual lap steel

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 6 Jun 2023 1:31 pm

Ran across this in a junk shop.... any ideas?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 6 Jun 2023 1:36 pm

It has a Japanese look, possibly a Teisco. And I doubt that it’s 1930s. Probably 1950s or 60s.

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 6 Jun 2023 1:45 pm

No way it's from the 30's. I'm thinking Guyatone, perhaps?

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 6 Jun 2023 1:52 pm

Looks like a cheesy Japanese knockoff of the National that Valco never built. Previous owner had a unique method of stringing it up. Agree with Doug that it's postwar. Some of those sound pretty good. And some don't. Were you able to plug it in?

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 6 Jun 2023 5:15 pm

I have to say I like the position of the tone control instead of right under the player's hand, as in a lot of early electric Hawaiians.

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 6 Jun 2023 5:17 pm

It does resemble this Guyatone HG-56. I was not able to plug-in but that booth did have a few other odd-ball instruments.... mostly acoustic.