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Topic: Oahu Lap? |
Raphael McGregor
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Posted 1 Nov 2007 10:30 am |
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Hi,
I'm based in NYC, and saw this ad on Craigslist for an Oahu
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/464020038.html
...does this sound like a good price to you guys? Also, has anyone played one and does the tone (or volume) knob placement interfere with your hand position at all?
Thanks!
Raphael McGregor
myspace.com/raphaelmcgregor |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 1 Nov 2007 10:58 am
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Raphael,
This price is a reasonably price if it is in good playing condition as he states.
Being from Hawaii it will probably have some rust with it, but that is not an unresolvable problem.
Aloha, 
Don |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 5:14 am KNOBS in the way, I don't think so............
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Raphael.......
WHY would those two knobs interfer with your playing? Most folks don't pick up in that area anyway. That pickup cover is niether a HAND rest nor ARM rest. Picking at around the 15th fret, more or less, the knobs wouldn't appear to be a problem to me. |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 6:11 am
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I think $250 is a good price for one of those if it's in good condition, just go for it. I had an identical Supro and never had any problems with the vol/tone control placement, even when picking close to the pickup for a more 'twangy' sound.
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 7:43 am
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| that is below the going price for laps in working order. 250 is a deal. 350 is normal or average. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 7:50 am
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Some players "block" with the edge of the right hand close to the bridge. The pickup cover and the knob closest to the player might be a problem for some players. I have owned a couple of Valcos with this same configuration in past years, and I found the knob to be in the way when trying to block fast stuff. That's just me... it may be different for other players.
I also remove the pickup Cover on my Valcos. It's in the way, in my opinion, and doesn't allow for palm blocking. Much like the old ashtray bridge cover on the Fender telecasters... most players removed them because they get in the way of some string dampening techniques. Having said that... I think the Oahu under consideration looks very clean, and the price is not unreasonable. If you like it, go for it. 
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 8:52 am
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Those are nice guitars, and $250 is about right for a clean one.
_________________
BIG STEEL |
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Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 9:53 am
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| I agree with Doug. Right hand placement is an individual thing. I lay mine on the bridge cover for most of my playing except when I block open strings with my pinky. Even with my banjo background I find it hard to pick without a rest for my palm. But whatever the layout, if I liked the steel enough I could sure adapt! The point is there is no right or wrong way. Whatever works. |
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Raphael McGregor
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 10:17 am
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ok, so I just got back from looking it. Great-looking and feeling instrument...volume pot seems to be dirty or otherwise messed up. Also, both cables that they are offering with it are pretty bad...are these easy to find? Or is it possible to convert the jack to a regular 1/4 inch?
Thanks for all your replies and help...
Raphael |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 10:52 am
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| Raphael, don't let those old cables stop you from buyin a cool guitar. There are adapters available to convert that amphenol connector to standard 1/4 inch or you can even buy a cord with amphenol on one end and 1/4 inch on the other. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 11:20 am
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Being from Hawaii it will probably have some rust with it, but that is not an unresolvable problem.
I don't think it was from Hawai'i Don. Made for the OAHU people who published the OAHU SYSTEM. (Actually a SUPRO by NATIONAL.) |
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Raphael McGregor
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 11:32 am
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| Don't know a whole lot about it, but the nameplate said "Oahu," and then "Cleveland Publishing Co." Maybe the rust is from Lake Erie |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 12:11 pm
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Raphael, yes, Oahu Co. was in Cleveland and they shipped lap steels, guitars, amps, and accessories all over the country (and probably the world). The guitar was actually built by Valco Co. in Chicago and branded for Oahu.
Oahu Publishing Co. was the world's largest publisher of sheet music in the 1930s and 40s. They sold instruments door-to-door nationwide. The company also sold instructional material, accessories, instruments, amps, etc. by catalog.
The scratchy volume pot is not a problem in my opinion. Sometimes that can be corrected by spraying it out with Control Cleaner (Radio Shack) or by simply working the knob back and forth about 50 times. My Valco lap steel has a noisy pot, but it's not a problem because I keep the volume on full at all times and use a volume pedal. The scratchiness indicates that the electronics are probably original.
Adaptors are available for the output, or like Andy said, you can buy a 1/4" to amphenol cord. A lot of players have the output jack changed over to a standard 1/4". That does not affect the value of the instrument from what I have seen.
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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Raphael McGregor
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 1:17 pm
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Well, I decided to buy it...I'm pleased, especially because I was able to get them to drop the price to $150! (Before you think I'm ripping off any elderly old ladies, you should know that this was a high-profile Manhattan production company who was selling off inventory because they were moving offices)
Thanks so much for all of your help! I've been playing lap for a few years now, doing a lot of gigs,recording, and touring, and this will basically be my first 'real' steel...been playing on Artisans...
Raph |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2007 1:35 pm
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| Wow! $150, excellent deal! |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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