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Milwaukeean lapsteel? What is?

Posted: 23 Nov 2003 11:38 am
by Tim Taylor
A friend has this at a local music store, Rockhaus. Does anyone know this manufacturer, or any historical info? The headstock is silk-screened, not a decal. Rockhaus said they had seen the logo once before, on an acoustic box, and believed the manufacturer may be local. The sound is a bit thin. Jason Lollar stated he thought the pick-up appears similar to a Kay. Please check the four pictures.
http://home.wi.rr.com/theremaniacs/steel2.JPG
http://home.wi.rr.com/theremaniacs/steel3.JPG
http://home.wi.rr.com/theremaniacs/steel4.JPG
http://home.wi.rr.com/theremaniacs/steel5.JPG

Thanks, Tim.

Posted: 23 Nov 2003 3:21 pm
by Mark van Allen
I could swear I'd seen that same old "Milwaukeean" logo on a can someplace...

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Posted: 25 Nov 2003 9:41 pm
by Tim Taylor
bump

Posted: 26 Nov 2003 8:49 am
by Rick Collins
Sure__that's the lap steel that "made Milwaukee famous". Image

It's meant to be played at "happy hour" in every bar in the city. Image

Rick

Posted: 26 Nov 2003 12:49 pm
by Brad Bechtel
If I had to guess, I'd guess it was made by Kay of Chicago sometime in the 1950s. The body style is similar to that of the early Magnatones of that period, but the pickup and hardware are similar to other Kay lap steels I've seen.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars


Posted: 26 Nov 2003 3:37 pm
by Zayit
That blade-type pickup is identical to a Regal/Dobro steel I have. Its an integral part of the cast face plate.

Posted: 26 Nov 2003 8:08 pm
by Jason Lollar
The pickup more than resembles a Kay, its identical.

Posted: 26 Nov 2003 9:51 pm
by George Keoki Lake
I have a student who has a guitar almost identical to that one...hers has a KAY logo...perhaps this guitar came out of the KAY factory ?

Posted: 28 Nov 2003 8:03 am
by Tim Taylor
Thanks everybody. Jason, I did not mean to misquote you -- sorry. Since my friend owns the store I would like to offer a fair price. (However, I need another guitar like a hole in the head). Any idea what something similar to this is worth? Thanks, Tim.