1935 National Cast Steel
April 17, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
The body of this early period steel guitar was made by a method called "slush casting". Molten aluminum was poured into a sand mold, cooled, then solidified.
The blade magnetic pickup was fitted from the rear of the guitar through a circular trap door.
The strings past through a cast tailpiece depicting a flying bird, and the shape of the National shield logo surrounds the pickup.
Originally this guitar was painted with inset gold panels and a lacquered aluminum finish. It has since been refinished by an overly enthusiastic guitarist to its present sky blue and gold!
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2026 Festivals and Workshops
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna LaniNovember 19-22, 2026 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island
2027 Festivals and Workshops
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘iJanuary 30, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST
Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center, Kapolei
Hilo Steel Guitar Festival
March 13, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM HST
Prince Kuhio Plaza, Hilo, Hawai‘i
NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
April 3, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST
Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center, Kapolei
Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
May 2, 2027 - 10:30 AM - 2:45 PM HST
Kukui Grove Center, Lihue, Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
June 12, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST
Windward Mall, Kane‘ohe
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week - July 4-10, 2027
July 5, 6, 8, 2027 – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST (Nightly Concerts)
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
2nd Annual Ho‘okūkū Kīkā Kila - Hawaiian Steel Guitar Contest
July 7, 2027 – 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents J-FESTA 2027 - Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 9, 2027 – 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 10, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:50 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
August 14, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST
Windward Mall, Kane‘ohe
Maui Steel Guitar Festival
October 16, 2027 - 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
The Shops At Wailea, Wailea, Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 11-14, 2027 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island (tentative)
Other Events
2026 Events
Steel Guitar FridaysEvery Friday – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
2027 Events
AISGC Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival #July 22-24, 2027
Winchester Towne Square Community Centre, Winchester, Indiana
Austin Steeel Guitar Fest #
September 30-October 2, 2027
Austin Marriott South, Austin, Texas
* Tentative
# Registration Fee Required
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Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium
Statewide Festivals
Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival
J-FESTA | Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
Kona Steel Guitar Festival
Community Festivals
Ka Makana Ali‘i – Kapolei
Windward Mall – Kāne‘ohe
NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festivals
Livestream Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase