Mastertone lap steel

Jim Mathis · From: Overland Park, Kansas, USA

I have a Mastertone steel that I have owned for ever (about 40 years). I got it out recently and was amazed at how good it sounded. Now I am playing it all the time. I understand that it was made by Gibson around 1939. Is this true? It is brown and tan with a crinkle finish. What can somebody tell me about it? Are there many out there? I haven't seen another in a long time.
Jim

Ian McLatchie · From: Sechelt, British Columbia

Jim: Mastertone was, and is, a high-end line of Gibson banojos, but for a short period in the early 1940's, Gibson also produced a budget line of guitars under the same name.
According to the Gruhn guide, the Mastertone lap steel was made only during the period 1941-1942. What it is, essentially, is a Gibson EH-125, but with lower-cost finishing:
painted, rather than chromed parts, crinkle finish instead of lacquer, and so on. They must have sold well during their short time on the market, as there are still number of them out there. I owned one for a while, one of the first lap steels I purchased. Like any Gibson lap steel, a well made, decent sounding guitar. You did well to hang on to yours!

Jim Mathis · From: Overland Park, Kansas, USA

Ian,

Thanks, that's just what I wanted to know.

Jim

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