Oahu Iolana double six

[Greg Forsyth]

This beauty has been on Craigslist for a while. I have a couple of questions about it, and am wondering if anyone has owned one of these or played one?

https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/eng ... 93260.html

My questions are:

I believe this guitar was built by Valco. Are Valco's famous string through pickups mounted in this guitar? ( assuming they are original as stated by seller.

The tuning machines are cool. Were they made by Kluson? Do they stay in tune?

[Jack Hanson]

Although I've never owned or played an Iolana, it's most certainly a Valco product. The bridge plate screams "Valco." I'd opine the tuners are indeed Klusons, and they likely work just fine. And I'd wager it's equipped with a pair of string-through pickups. With its plastic covers installed, it's impossible to say for certain, but I'm unaware of any other pickup that Valco had installed on the Oahu Iolanas. The price may be a little high, but it certainly appears to be in tip-top condition. The celluloid appears flawless; it has it's original (Geib?) case that looks excellent. If it's not too far away, why don't you mosey on out to Parker and check it out?

[Mark Evans]

Ah
I’ve been following the post/repost of this double steel. I can barely keep track of one 6 string… but a sweet looking deal. 3 months posted. Some bargaining should happen. Those covers will come off (screws). Send an inquiry, ask to send pics of the pickups.

[Noah Miller]

Yes, it has string-through pickups. Yes, the Klusons stay in tune just fine. I played one of these in a band for years.

That price is a bit optimistic, though.

[Greg Forsyth]

Well Jack, I've been tempted to mosey down to Parker to test drive that Oahu but don't want to risk my life or the life of others because I mosey at a whole different pace than the rest of the pack. Seems to me many drivers these days were trained at the demolition derby track.

Thanks for the responses Jack, Mark and Noah. Really, I'd have to sell another steel before I could buy the Iolana. It's certainly very appealing. Gotta agree the price is a bit too high.

[Jack Hanson]

Well Jack, I've been tempted to mosey down to Parker to test drive that Oahu but don't want to risk my life or the life of others because I mosey at a whole different pace than the rest of the pack. Seems to me many drivers these days were trained at the demolition derby track.

Understood. I-25 between the Tech Center and Castle Rock is always frightening for me. 6 or more lanes of traffic when some people wanna go 35 and others wanna go 95 with semis slowing down on every upgrade and speeding up on every downgrade can be scary indeed.

The worst it gets down here in the big valley is when there's sheep herders running their flocks down the highway to a different pasture, or certain times of the year when a prevailing 50-60 mph SW wind is busy relocating the topsoil from the potato fields to the sand dunes.

[Greg Forsyth]

I25 is the demolition derby I referred to, Jack. I like to drive at the same speed as most of the traffic but find it as difficult to deal with those going 35 as it is with the people going 95. It's a miracle more people aren't hurt on that road. Several years ago my youngest son was rolled over by a runaway gravel truck on that stretch of I25 you referred to. His car plus several others were totaled. Fortunately no one in my sons car were injured.

To get back to the Iolana, Its a very intriguing instrument. I've got more questions, Noah, if you would answer them please.

What is the scale length?
String spacing at the bridge?
How solid are the bodies attached to each other?
Thanks!

[Noah Miller]

The scale length is 23". I don't have mine anymore to measure the bridge spacing, but it's roughly similar to every other post-War Valco 6-string steel at around 2 1/8".

The bodies are solidly attached with some kind of internal bars or clips holding them together. I've seen a couple of Valco steels over the years with minor separation, but it's not like you're going to be constantly putting them back together.

[Greg Forsyth]

Thanks for the info Noah!

Hey Jack Ive been thru those sheep crossing rushminutes. The sheep were having accidents all over the place.

[Jack Hanson]

Hey Jack Ive been thru those sheep crossing rushminutes. The sheep were having accidents all over the place.

Indeed! Depending on the size of the flock, the blacktop can sometimes get just a tad greasy.