Lapsteel Identification/ value

sienk4 · Post by **sienk4** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 7:37 am

Richard
I'll send some pictures of the pamplets, well there not pamplets, there like begginers books.

I dont know if she got them with it, or got them later. do you know if they are different companies, bronson music--bronson publishing

sienk4 · Post by **sienk4** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 7:41 am

Would it be a Bronson with a rick logo?

raiello · Post by **raiello** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:18 am

Richard ... yep thats like the one I saw. I never played it though.

Someone had another one at an HSGA convention a couple years ago.

Thats a circa '37 Ricky "arrow" knob in that picture you posted ... cool.

These "oddity steels" ... are fascinating.

Tom ... from what I have read ... The Bronson Publishing Company distributed steel guitars ... as well as instructional material.

They never made their own instruments.

So ... if indeed that is whats goin' on here ... that guitar was made by Rickenbacher ...

George Bronson's company was based out of Detroit ....

His half-brother ... Harry Stanley was the founder of the Oahu Publishing Co. ... out of Cleveland ...

They were responsible for most of the mass steel guitar instruction across the country and the world.

So all them guys knew each other ... and were makin' a good livin' off the Hawaiian Music craze of that era.

I still think a major clue ... is in the fret markers.

Pin those down ... and you got your "man" ... ha, ha

rshatz · Post by **rshatz** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:40 am

Yeah, the fret markers. That's the ticket. Why didn't I think of that?

sienk4 · Post by **sienk4** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:04 pm

what would I look for, or could i take pics and send them, sorry for all the bother, but everybody I know, does'nt know anything about these.

rshatz · Post by **rshatz** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:34 pm

Tom,
We were just kidding about the fret markers. Collectors get so wrapped in the details trying to date instruments. We were just making fun of the hobby.
Richard

sienk4 · Post by **sienk4** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:49 pm

OHH, Ok
I was confused. what kind of value would I put on it?

rshatz · Post by **rshatz** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 2:54 pm

I don't have a clue without seeing and hearing that one.
The best way to find out is to list it on Ebay with a very high reserve. You can also have it appraised by a well-known dealer, like Gruhn, Mandolin Brothers or Elderly. They will high ball the number and possibly offer to sell it for you on consignment.

sienk4 · Post by **sienk4** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:21 am

Thanks for all the help, I'll let you know what i find out.