Oahu Tonemaster or Chandler RH-2?

[Jim Wilmoth]

I need to choose soon. Excellent guitar player who is still a beginner lap steel player.

Any opinions on which I should choose - Oahu Tonemaster or Chandler RH-2?

Bias and unbiased opinions welcome

[Dennis Smith]

Hi Jim
I have a 55 Oahu Diana and it has the string thru pickup that is strong and has great tone. I believe the tonemaster has the same type pickup if not the sameone. I think the Diana is a upgraded tonemaster. Also if you ever want to sell it the Oahu will hold it's value better I think.

Dennis

[Brad Bechtel]

The Gold Tone LS-6 and LS-8 lap steels are based on the Oahu Tonemaster design. That should tell you something right there.
The Chandler lap steel has been reviewed many times in the past. Do a search on this section of the forum to find what others have said.

[Jim Wilmoth]

Thanks for the quick feedback. Question, do you know if they are the scale length? I can't find a posted scale length for the RH-2.

[John Mulligan]

I have the Chandler RH-2. I am very happy with it. I believe it has a 23 1/4" scale length. It's a pretty great instrument. I paid $300 for mine. If I found a Tonemaster and a Chandler side by side at the same price it would all depend on sound. Check out other reviews but to me it comes down to availability, price and tone. I haven't had a chance to play a Tonemaster.

[Dennis Smith]

Hi, my Oahu Diana is aprox 25 1/14.
Dennis

[Frank James Pracher]

I have both. Both are great. The pickup on my Oahu Tonemaster is very Hot with lots of mids. If you are going for a more overdriven sound it's hard to beat. I keep mine tuned to E7 and it's my go to guitar when I play out. The Chandler has a brighter sound, and a very useful tone control. I keep mine tuned to C6th. A great all around lap steel. Very versatile guitar, were as the Oahu is more of a one trick pony.(It's a really good trick though!)
My 2 cents.

[Jim Wilmoth]

I have both. Both are great. The pickup on my Oahu Tonemaster is very Hot with lots of mids. If you are going for a more overdriven sound it's hard to beat. I keep mine tuned to E7 and it's my go to guitar when I play out. The Chandler has a brighter sound, and a very useful tone control. I keep mine tuned to C6th. A great all around lap steel. Very versatile guitar, were as the Oahu is more of a one trick pony.(It's a really good trick though!)
My 2 cents.

Just the guy to talk to Great stuff. Thank you for the feedback. I have tried a Chandler. Can't wait to try a Tonemaster

[Dennis Smith]

Hi Jim. someone just listed a Tonemaster with case on ebay with a bin of $445.00(obo) shipped.
Dennis

[Mark van Allen]

Pretty much as Frank posted, I love my Tonemaster for Rock, blues, and Lindley style stuff, prefer the Chandlers I've played in C6. depends on your musical preferences and what feels right. The Oahu is very compact, the Chandler a bit larger.

[J. Wilson]

The Chandler doesn't have a lot of tonal character in my opinion.

The Oahu oozes tonal character.

Both situations are a double edged blade... go for whichever is going to be most versatile for what you play I guess.

[Jim Wilmoth]

The Chandler doesn't have a lot of tonal character in my opinion.

The Oahu oozes tonal character.

Both situations are a double edged blade... go for whichever is going to be most versatile for what you play I guess.

Well I like character. I'm presuming that the Oahu does cleanup when you roll the volume back?

[J. Wilson]

I have noticed this on all pups, personally, so yes I would say for sure.

[Frank James Pracher]

I personally wouldn't say the Chandler lacks character (at least mine doesn't) I would say it sounds more "modern".
You can back off the volume control on the Tonemaster for a cleaner sound but it's not were these things shine.
It's really a horse a piece. If you want grit go Tonemaster. If you want clean go Chandler. Hell, do what I did and get both!

[Jim Wilmoth]

Hi Jim. someone just listed a Tonemaster with case on ebay with a bin of $445.00(obo) shipped.
Dennis

Thanks Dennis. I'm keeping my eyes and ears peeled for the best deal possible

[Jim Wilmoth]

I personally wouldn't say the Chandler lacks character (at least mine doesn't) I would say it sounds more "modern".
You can back off the volume control on the Tonemaster for a cleaner sound but it's not were these things shine.
It's really a horse a piece. If you want grit go Tonemaster. If you want clean go Chandler. Hell, do what I did and get both!

I like that thinking

[Jim Wilmoth]

Since I'm on my learning curve can you tell me about the Supro's in comparison to the TM and CH? Thelook of some those old Supro/Magnatone's with mother of toilet is just so cool looking.

[Dennis Smith]

Hi Jim, check the post in this section "Blue Monk on lap" steel posted by Chris Gariel" he is playing one like you ask about. Great video, very good playing. Also check out Doug Beaumier videos on youtube under Steelguitar3. He has 19 video and play 8 -10 different lap steels and a stringmaster. Gives you a idea of the way different ones sound and Doug can play.

Dennis

[Frank James Pracher]

Supro/Valco lap steels are very similar to the Tonemaster. I have had quite of few of these and they each have there own unique personality. I wouldn't say any of them were bad. Just different.

I have a fondness for the Magnatones/Dickersons. They have a real transparent tone, and with the tone control you can usually dial in a nice sound on most amps. The ones like you see in my avatar are not the highest quality instruments but they are probably by far my favorite to play. (and you got to love the MOT!)If you don't mind some battle scars you can find ones that are pretty cheap on Ebay.

[Stephen Abruzzo]

Here's a great YouTube clip of a Magnatone in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJeD0KDWNjw

[David Matzenik]

The basic comparison required in the OP is pretty tough. On one hand you have a modern, standardized instrument. On the other, an instrument that was made over a couple of decades in different shops. Not all Tonemasters are created equal. You really need to play one and look over it carefully. They got sloppy at times.

[Jim Wilmoth]

The basic comparison required in the OP is pretty tough. On one hand you have a modern, standardized instrument. On the other, an instrument that was made over a couple of decades in different shops. Not all Tonemasters are created equal. You really need to play one and look over it carefully. They got sloppy at times.

I can see (hear ) the Chandler is very clean and balanced which I can could be a plus and a minus.

I think it would be nice to have a second lap that was a bit grittier with some snarl

[Tom Pettingill]

I need to choose soon. Excellent guitar player who is still a beginner lap steel player.

Any opinions on which I should choose - Oahu Tonemaster or Chandler RH-2?

Bias and unbiased opinions welcome

In my totally biased opinion, one of each
Just like in the "normal" guitar world, man does not live by Tele alone. Try them all and keep the ones that make you smile!

[Jim Wilmoth]

Well, the Chandler is definitely clean but I think that's a good thing. I can see this working nice for Hawaiian.

Still want to try the Tonemaster or Magnatone/Supro - hopefully soon.

Thanks everyone for your input!

[J. Wilson]

Clean is good for Hawaiian yes, also for jazz and western swing.

Also a clean sound will take effects very well. If you have a few pedals or rack effects clean may be a good choice as you want those items to do the coloring for you.

If you are after a classic tone you just can't beat the old steels. The pups just had more character to them. I know the Oahu overdrives well but it also has nice clean tones as well. Not as clear and stringent as the modern sounds ... but chimey and bell-like nonetheless.