1955 Fender Champion
September 12, 2016 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
Long before Leo Fender built the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars, he built Hawaiian lap steels.
Fender's steel guitars featured single, double, triple and quad necks. Various scale lengths, 6 and 8 strings, and several pickup configurations.
This guitar is a low-end model made to compete against the popular budget brands of the day. It is covered in simulated mother-of-pearl, also known as pearloid or mother-of-toilet seat.
Today, rock and blues players plug this steel guitar into a cranked up tube amp. This produces high-gain, overdriven sounds & bone shattering feedback!
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2025 Festivals and Workshops
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna LaniNovember 13-16, 2025
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island
2025 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Livestream Broadcasts
All broadcasts originate from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 14, 2025 – 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM HST - Ho‘olaule‘a concert
November 15, 2025 – 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM HST- Open Stage Performances
2026 Festivals and Workshops
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week - July 5-11, 2026
July 6-9, 2026 – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST (Nightly Concerts)
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
2025 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Livestream Broadcasts
All broadcasts originate from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival (J-FESTA)
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Other Events
2025 Events
Steel Guitar FridaysEvery Friday – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Steel Guitar Sundays
July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7, 2025 – 10:00 AM - Noon
Hula Grill Waikiki, Waikīkī
* Registration Fee Required
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Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium
Statewide Festivals
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Windward Mall – Kāne‘ohe
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Livestream Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase