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Topic: Gladys Hawaiians |
Matthew Woods
From:
California, USA
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Posted 19 Sep 2017 8:55 pm |
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I have a Martin 0-28K with the name Gladys Hawaiians painted on the side. The case is painted as well. Does anyone know anything about this band (probably from the early 1930s)?
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Peter Garellick
From:
California, USA
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Former Member
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Posted 20 Sep 2017 9:44 am
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Beautiful guitar!!
What is the "order of the eastern star "?
Reading that 'Morning Call' was funnier than hell! |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 20 Sep 2017 11:44 am
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| Ron Ellison wrote: |
Beautiful guitar!!
What is the "order of the eastern star "? |
http://www.easternstar.org
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Matthew Woods
From:
California, USA
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Posted 20 Sep 2017 11:59 am great info
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| Wow! You guys are regular detectives. The Pennsylvania connection seems possible since I bought the guitar several years ago from Vintage Instruments in Philly. At the time, Fred didn't know its history. I have not been able to find any photos or recordings, and I have long assumed it was one of myriad local acts playing Hawaiian music. |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 20 Sep 2017 12:01 pm
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Allentown, Pa is about 10 miles away from Nazareth, Pa where Martin Guitar is located. In their museum they have several 30's Hawaiian guitars on display. I have taken the tour 2x and learned something new each time. Very good tour. If you take the general tour (about an hour long) it's free. If you take the behind the scenes tour I think it's $25?
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Matthew Woods
From:
California, USA
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Posted 20 Sep 2017 3:03 pm Obituary links
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| I noticed on the obituary links above that the lady from Pennsylvania would only have been 7 years old in 1932. It might be cool to have a Hawaiian band with a 7 year old steel player but more than likely we haven't yet found our Gladys. |
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Peter Garellick
From:
California, USA
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Posted 20 Sep 2017 8:13 pm
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I did notice the age thing...though I thought it's possible the father named the band after his daughter, or that she was featured in the band as a novelty, singing a few songs or playing ukulele or steel. That seems plausible for a 1930s era amateur band.
Sweet looking guitar! Is it a squareneck? Hard to see in the picture. |
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Matthew Woods
From:
California, USA
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Posted 21 Sep 2017 8:07 am Gladys
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Yeah I see what you mean. I guess it would be cool to have a kid in the band, and there were probably a lot of family groups performing...or who knows, maybe she was just a killer young player! Anyway, I'm hoping a photo or recording of the group surfaces at some point.
Regards the 0-28K (nicknamed Gladys of course), I am not aware of Martin making a squareneck, but the O28K does have flush frets, a non-intonated straight saddle and a raised nut so it was intended strictly for steel playing. It is a silky smooth sounding box that has been played a lot. |
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Peter Garellick
From:
California, USA
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Posted 21 Sep 2017 9:35 am
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| How's the volume? I have never had a chance to try one of these Martins. I mostly play a 1930 tricone. I love the look of your Martin though! Is it Koa wood? |
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Matthew Woods
From:
California, USA
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Posted 21 Sep 2017 4:24 pm Martin
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| The volume is good, rich and full sounding with good balance as well. It has very light scalloped x-bracing and is at least as loud as your typical Weissenborn or Knutsen. The 0-28K and 0-18K models are all koa. Not sure if I can upload a sound file here on the forum? |
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Matthew Woods
From:
California, USA
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Posted 29 Sep 2017 9:06 pm Martin 028K tone
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I don't know how to attach an audio file to a post, but if you want to hear what the Martin 028K sounds like, there is a sound clip called "Isaiah 38:20" on my website.
www.vintagefrettedinstruments.com |
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