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Topic: Please help ID this heirloom tonemaster |
Michael Seals
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2013 8:06 pm |
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New member, First Post. Based upon some lurking it looks like this is the right place to find some experts who know a thing or two about these older lap steels.
There is a long story that goes with this guitar, but the short version is this: I inherited this guitar from my dad when he passed away in 2008. Nobody in the family knows the exact provenance of the guitar, but it is said that my dad picked it up from a pawn shop in either Okinawa or the Philippines when he was in the Navy from 1961-65.
As the only "musician" (drums) in the family, I was the only one who expressed interest in the guitar when we found it in the attic where it had presumably sat in its case for 30+ years. I recently began learning guitar/bass and am now interested in getting this family heirloom into playable shape.
I have a whole bunch of questions, but here are a few in no particular order:
1) Can you help me ID when this guitar was made? It does not have the Oahu name on it (only tonemaster on the headstock). It has serial #1146 stamped on the headstock. I'll try to upload pictures to help in the process...
2) The tuners are mangled. I don't know if they just rotted away, or if they were damaged in some other way. I *think* they may be sound mechanically, but the knobs (bakelight?) have basically turned to dust. If I took it to a reputable luthier, would they be able to put after-market tuners on it? Would doing so be sacrilege, and if so, what other/better alternatives might I try?
3) Where in the heck do I buy strings for this thing? I will try to upload a picture of the bridge, in case that helps.
4) The volume and tone knobs are in good shape and the pots seem to work smoothly. Is there any danger with just plugging this into an amp and trying it out?
5) Lastly, there is a bunch (about 20) Oahu-branded instructional sheet music folios in the case that are in fairly decent shape. About 1/3 are missing pages. Most of them say Copyright 1949. Would it be of some value (and within forum rules) if I were to scan these into PDF and uploaded them? If so, which forum area would be appropriate?
Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'll gladly supply additional detail if it would help!
MTS
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 5 Dec 2013 8:34 pm
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Oahu Tonemaster, it looks like late 1940s. The exact year is very hard to pinpoint, and the exact year has no effect on the value. I don't think the serial number will tell us what year the guitar was made.
Oahu Co. had most of their lap steels (and guitars and amps) built by Valco Co., and some made by Kay or possibly Harmony. I'm not sure about this one. Tonemasters in Very Good condition sell for about $250 to $325. You can get replacement tuner Buttons. A guitar repair shop can order them for you and install them. Corroded buttons are very common on guitars of this era.
Regular electric guitar strings will work, but you need to buy the right gauge strings for whatever tuning you decide to put on it.
The big issue is the electronics. Does the pickup work? Strong output? Do the volume and tone controls work okay? If not, it will affect the value. Yes, hook it up to an amp and test the controls, the pickup. No, that old sheet music has very little value.
_________________
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2013 9:59 pm
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These are great steels. I have one almost identical to it and I love it. Of all my steels this one gets used the most on gigs.
Not worth a ton of coin (I think I bought mine for $200 two years ago) but a great player.
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 6 Dec 2013 4:14 am
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| This particular Tonemaster was made by Kay, and to the best of my knowledge there is no database of Kay serial numbers. I agree with the estimate of late '40s, though. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 6 Dec 2013 6:05 am
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That graphic is just awesome!
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
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Michael Seals
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2013 10:07 am
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| Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions, it is appreciated. I'll work with a local guitar tech to get this baby playable! |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 6 Dec 2013 5:23 pm
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| i think it's very cool. love the binding! |
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Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2013 9:20 am
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I have one just like it, although not worth as much as some ricks and fenders, the pickup in mine is hotter that a two dollar pistol, with tone for days..
A very sweet sounding chunk of mahogany for sure...
<*)))>{ |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 8 Dec 2013 9:48 am
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If you are into tinkering on your own, you can replace the crumbled tuner buttons yourself. Stewart-MacDonald has a selection of those, the vintage style, and they have instructions for replacing them. They come for various shaft sizes, so you would need to identify which ones, and what color you need...
From your close-up pics, the shafts appear to be for the knobs with the 3/32" holes....
I always buy a couple extra, in case I mess one up !
stewmac.com
or; 1-800-848-2273. |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 26 May 2016 12:44 pm
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Nice! I have a Tonemaster that looks just like this one. Serial number is 3291, so probably early 50's maybe...?
The problem with mine is the pickup is very dark, and it's waaaaay microphonic. The tone is amazing when overdriven, but you can't get it up to stage volume without screeching feedback, and this isn't even at that loud of volume, making it not really useful as is.
Does anyone know of a good replacement for it? will the Lollar Chicago Steel 6-string model fit? Jason isn't taking any rewinds at this time, or I'd do that.
Thnks. |
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Michael Brebes
From:
Northridge CA
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Posted 27 May 2016 6:48 am
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Either rewinding or potting the pickup might get rid of the microphonics that you are experiencing.
_________________
Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso
Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100 |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 27 May 2016 9:48 am Potting
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Thanks. Yes, I have come to the conclusion that re-potting (or, in this case, probably for the first time) this p'up might be a way to go. I have had a number of people tell me that I should not do that with this great vintage p'up, but as it is, it's not usable, so it does me no good to leave it. I'm not a collector, and this guitar has had a few minor repairs anyway, so that 'collector' value is shot in any case.
I've never done this procedure, but Stew-Mac has great instructions for how to do it, and make sure the temps are correct, how long to let it go, etc. I've done a lot of mods on many of my guitars, steels and basses, so I'm not too daunted by trying this myself.
I'll let y'all know how it goes! Thanks.
TJW |
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