| Author |
Topic: Advice on Oahu (Valco) |
Douglas Snyder
From:
New York, USA
|
Posted 22 Feb 2022 8:36 am |
|
Hello everyone: I'm new to the forum and new to the world of lap steel guitar. I inherited my mom's Gibson EH-100 built around 1940 and I just started taking lessons at the ripe old age of 67. The Gibson is all original and in decent playing condition. I also have a vacation home for which I'd like a second guitar. I have an opportunity at an Oahu (Valco) from 1960. I have no idea what I should be paying for one in good condition. Like most of my hobbies, I prefer vintage over new. Advice greatly appreciated. 
_________________
From the City of Good Neighbors
Buffalo, NY |
|
|
 |
Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
|
Posted 22 Feb 2022 8:47 am
|
|
| A couple of years ago, I would have said $3-400. Prices have gone a bit nutty during the pandemic, and while asking prices have spiked, I'm not sure if the $5-600 I'm seeing actually reflects sales. My gut feeling is to say $4-500, but others may disagree. |
|
|
|
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
|
Posted 22 Feb 2022 9:31 am Re: Advice on Oahu (Valco)
|
|
| Douglas Snyder wrote: |
| ...I prefer vintage over new. |
Me too!
There are still bargains out there, especially if you don't mind exerting a tad of elbow grease, can follow a wiring diagram, and can adequately operate a few hand tools and a soldering iron.
Be aware that the string spacing on a Gibson is generally much wider than the spacing on a Valco. Both were wonderful instruments in their day. And still are, when given a bit of relatively simple maintenance and plenty of TLC. |
|
|
|
Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
|
Posted 22 Feb 2022 9:44 am
|
|
Unfortunately it seems that the market is in flux today, with mostly rising prices AND rising demand. This translates into a situation where previous sales prices are no longer a reliable indicator of what one should pay. And as always, asking prices are nearly always overly optimistic.
So, until the market stabilizes again, the best guide is to be prepared to pay more than the typical previous sales prices. If you like something and can afford it, and it isn’t more than 50% over typical prior prices, buy it and enjoy it.
_________________
Current Tunings:
6 String | G – G B D G B D
7 String | G6 – e G B D G B D (re-entrant)
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database |
|
|
|
Jeff Bell
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 22 Feb 2022 10:33 am
|
|
I have a 1960 Supro that looks almost exactly like it. I bought it off a local Craigslist ad and paid $400 for it in November and felt okay about it. The previous owner had the magnets reversed so it sounded awful when I went to see it. We figured it out and I am glad I have it.
Jack is right about the string spacing being more narrow. If the Oahu is like the Supro where there is a plastic (resin?) fret board, and if you are clumsy with finger picks (like I am), you might make contact with the fretboard. I play it mostly without finger picks which works for me, but sometimes I wear em. Long story short, I wish I paid $50 less than I did, but don't regret my purchase at all. I would probably say that about most of my purchases, though. |
|
|
|
