1920's Oscar Schmidt Acoustic Parlor Guitar with Hawaiian Nut Raiser
April 1, 2020 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
The First Hawaiian Conservatory of Music was a marketing tool of the Oscar Schmidt Company, New Jersey. In the 1920's they advertised "Hawaiian Guitar" courses in magazines of the period.
For a nominal fee and monthly payments you were sold a guitar fitted with a Hawaiian nut raiser, and 12 months of correspondence lessons.
The instrument is best described as a "Parlor Guitar" made entirely of birch wood, with interior ladder bracing. Rope binding surrounds the soundhole and the mustache bridge gives it a distinct look!
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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
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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)
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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
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# Registration Fee Required
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