Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
Posting this in the hope that some of our resident experts might be able to help... can anyone help me shed some light on this Gretsch? It belongs to an old friend of mine, who inherited it from his father. He believes it was purchased new around 1950, or maybe a year or two earlier, but has been unable to find much about it... the case is original. He also has a Gretsch amp purchased at the same time. The tuners alone are wonderful!
Re: Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
That lap steel is a Gretsch Electromatic Hawaiian model produced ca.1940-43.
It was arguably the company's first electric instrument and the only lap steel that was actually produced by Gretsch. All of the other Gretsch models were made by Valco.
These things sound great through good tube amps.
It was arguably the company's first electric instrument and the only lap steel that was actually produced by Gretsch. All of the other Gretsch models were made by Valco.
These things sound great through good tube amps.
Re: Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
I stand corrected.
Re: Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
Thanks, Richard!
Here's the core of the story:
"This is a Kay product subcontracted by Gretsch. Kay and Regal in Chicago used this Harlin Bros in-line tuner assembly as did Valco on the Oahu Iolana doublenecks."
Here's the core of the story:
"This is a Kay product subcontracted by Gretsch. Kay and Regal in Chicago used this Harlin Bros in-line tuner assembly as did Valco on the Oahu Iolana doublenecks."
Re: Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
Very nice, post some clips if you can.
Re: Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
Sadly, I don't have it. It's a thousand miles away in New York, and I haven't seen or played it for well over 20 years...
Re: Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
There is a "modern" Gretsch Electromatic lap steel for sale in Second Strum right now...
Re: Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel
If it had 8 strings, I might be tempted...jdogric12 wrote:There is a "modern" Gretsch Electromatic lap steel for sale in Second Strum right now...
As luck would have it, business takes me to NY in a couple of weeks, and I will be reacquainted with the Electromatic and its owner