1940's Oahu Tonemaster

October 16, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

Along with the huge popularity of Hawaiian music came the demand for instruction on the steel guitar. The most successful of the steel guitar schools was the Oahu Publishing Co. of Cleveland, Ohio.

Perhaps 200,000 students graduated from its steel guitar courses. Many became teachers themselves, and others went on to establish their own studios. Some students had successful musical careers.

In addition to instructional material, the Oahu Publishing Co. also sold lap steels to their students. These instruments were made for the Oahu brand by other guitar makers such as Valco, Harmony, Kay, and Rickenbacker.