Aloha guitars and lap steels

[jedistar]

I have been given some photos of Aloha lap steels and am looking for more info on the brand. Here is what I have to date:

According to Mugwumps an Aloha Manufacturing Co existed in Honolulu, Hawaii from 1911 to around 1927. Aloha Publishing Co, was founded 1935 in Chicago Illinois.

According to Vintage Guitar Price Guide Aloha was a private brand of Aloha Publishing and Musical Instrument Company, Chicago.

Does anyone here know if both companies produced / sold guitars?

also

Ray Meany Aloha model was made by Magnatone in the 1950s and 60s. [Source: Brad's Page of Steel] Was Ray Meany the brand?

I'd be grateful for any info please...

[Spud1950]

[jedistar]

Thanks for this - re links the slash comes in the brackets AFTER the link ..not before..







Here' another Aloha branded lapsteel, but same as the info you got,they don't know exactly who made it.

[Spud1950]

[jeff mercer]

Jedistar,

Mugwumps is generally pretty reliable, but they're a ways off with the dates of the Aloha Ukulele Mfg Co.

That company incorporated ( in Honolulu ) in 1917- not 1911- and dissolved in 1935- not 1920.

I have a super-flamey Koa Hawaiian guitar from the original Aloha company, plus two ukes. Really gorgeous, high quality stuff !

The mainland based Aloha Publishing & Musical Instrument Co. incorporated the same year the original Hawaiian company closed down, & they were retailers, not manufacturers, outsourcing Lap Steels & Amps from other makers, generally student-grade stuff.

Hope this helps !
Cheers, Jeff

[jedistar]

[jedistar]

Well here is the first draft of the -page...

http://www.jedistar.com/aloha.htm

very keen for pics of a pre 1935 Hawaiin Aloha guitar (head + label especially) if anyone has one!!

cheers
paul

[Spud1950]

[jeff mercer]

Hey, Paul & Spud,

In the case of an instrument actually made by the original Hawaiian "Aloha Ukulele Mfg. Co.", I guess technically it IS a company logo.
I've no idea what they thought of other builders using an Aloha label ( inc. Chang, Summers & Kamaka ) during the same period ?

What will tell you if you have a "real" Aloha is a wood-burned stamp inside the instrument that says "TABU-MADE IN HAWAII", usually- but not always- accompanied by the cursive signature 'AKAI'

Akai was the psuedonym used by Alohas' "master builder", a Chinese/Hawaiian whose name escapes me at the moment
You can see the TABU & AKAI stamp in the link that Paul provided. It's stamped inside both my uke & my Hawaiian guitar, but not in my 30's Aloha-labelled Kamaka Pineapple uke, as a.) Kamaka did'nt use it, & b.) Akai did'nt build it !

To see a pic of my Aloha/Akai guitar, google Fleamarket Music, go to Collectors Uke Yak, hit Search the Yak, & type in Akai guitar, & it will come up..hopefully ! Sorry for the convoluted directions, but I can't post pics at the moment

Cheers, guys
Jeff.

[john_rossdale]