Commodore and Mason Steels

[CellarCat]

I''ve found a couple of steels in a local shop...One is a Mason six string lap steel.$399 canadian.. and the other is called a Commodore six string steel with tripod legs.. $299 canadian... anyone have any info on either of these types of steels or any thoughts?????

[Ian McLatchie]

Masons were made in Gault, Ontario. I don't know the years of production, although I hope to do some research when I get the chance. The company was apparently a licensee of Gibson, which comes as no surprise given the BR9-ish knobs and moulded pickup covers that most Masons have. There are two common models, both with a number of variants. Generally, Masons are very impressive looking instruments, with "Gumby" pegheads, asymmetrical bodies and decorative fingerboards featuring either multi-colored
M-A-S-O-N or copper geometric fret markers.
Depending on the model, the bodies are either plain white, lime green or a textured grey.
Not great sounding guitars, although some are much better than others. The matching amplifiers and hard shell cases are also very attractive.

[Brad Bechtel]

Thanks for the information, Ian. I'm unfamiliar with either brand of lap steel. Do you know of any pictures of either guitar?

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Brad's Page of Steel:
www.well.com/~wellvis/steel.html
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars