Multi-Kord double -6 pedal 6, no pedal 6 - request for info

Chris Padgett · Post by **Chris Padgett** » 12 Apr 2008 12:20 pm

I have had this Multi-Kord for years and it's time for it to find a good home where it will be played and appreciated. I don't know much about it, so I'm hoping one or more of the Forumites will recognize it and share some historical trivia.

If anyone is especially moved and would like to bring her back to life feel free to make an offer and it could be yours.

for more pictures go to:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... mId=486947

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 12 Apr 2008 12:43 pm

It was invented and patented by Jay Harlin of the Harlin Brothers in Indianapolis Ind. I knew all the Harlins well.

You might be interested to know that Jay Harlin was the first one to patent a pedal steel guitar.

It looks to be of the mid 50's to early 60's era.

I have only seen a few double neck Multi-Kords.

Multi-Kords were primarily designed as a Hawaiian steel guitar as opposed to a "country steel". Their main objective while I was with them seemed to be to interest young people in music. They gave music lessons in their store/studio on the Hawaiian steel guitar, Accordian, Spanish guitar, as well as taught Hula there.

I believe most of the Multi-Kords sold were to students in that era.

I have four Multi-Kords and still play one.

Chris Padgett · Post by **Chris Padgett** » 12 Apr 2008 1:33 pm

Thanks Danny, that is some interesting and valuable information.

In looking around for similar models to get a feel for pricing it doesn't appear there are too many in circulation. I'm hoping that someone on the Forum will be interested otherwise I'll just put it up on eBay with a high reserve and see where it lands.

Do you have one like this?
If so, how do you like it?

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 12 Apr 2008 3:59 pm

Chris
I wish I did have a Multi-Kord like yours, but I don't. $:\$

I have a single neck 8 string 6 pedal with a natural finish wood body.

I have a single neck 6 string 6 pedal with a natural finish wood body.

I have a single neck 6 string 6 pedal with a white mother of pearl finish that I modified and made 3/8"stainless steel pedal rods to replace the cables for the pedals. I also had to replace the cross square bars under the changer to do this. I have made cross braces for the legs on the pedal end to make it more stable. This is the one I play all the time.

I have the Multi-Kord my father bought me when I was ten yrs old that has a cast aluminum body painted about the color of your double neck. It has 6 strings and four pedals.

How do I like my Multi-Kords?

----I do like them! I think they have a sound all their own. The problem is without proper instruction most people never took the time to learn to play them the way they were designed & tuned for Hawaiian music.

I play in a Country & Gospel band and throw in a little Hawaiian once in a while. It works for me.

Regards,
Danny

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 12 Apr 2008 7:01 pm

Danny is right on, that looks like an early '60s model. The double necks all had one neck with pedals, and one without. They came with either 6 strings or 8, and either 4 pedals or 6. Value is pretty low on these right now because there's a lot of them out there. Yours is missing the covers, and that may lower the value somewhat. I'd guess you could expect to get somewhere between $300 and $600 for it; rarely do they bring much more.

Chris Padgett · Post by **Chris Padgett** » 12 Apr 2008 7:56 pm

Thanks Donny.

I learned a lot about this guitar today, and the value you mentioned is pretty much what I expected.

Now I need to decide if I want to keep another project...it would be nice to hear what it can do, though...

ROBERT MYERS · Post by **ROBERT MYERS** » 13 Apr 2008 4:03 am

Chris if you would like to take a hour and a half drive I have one here you can test drive. It's all strung up and sounds pretty good through Fender tube amp.

Chris Padgett · Post by **Chris Padgett** » 13 Apr 2008 4:29 am

Is that... pink?

Thanks for the offer Bob but my wife won't let me go that far from home without adult supervision!

I'd love to hear some samples of what the 6 string pedal neck sounds like sometime. Yours are 8's, right?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Apr 2008 4:47 am

Chris Padgett wrote:Is that... pink?

Well, since it's termed a Hawaiian guitar, we'd probably be more PC calling it a "faded coral".

Chris Padgett · Post by **Chris Padgett** » 13 Apr 2008 4:54 am

Yep, that's what I meant...

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 13 Apr 2008 12:41 pm

Chris, if you want to hear a 6 string 6 pedal Multi-Kord go to

google and type in HSGA thats (Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association).

Click on the big words at the top of their website HSGA then click on "music" then click on where it says members audio page. Scroll down to the very bottom and I have a page playing my Multi-Kord. I did the recording on a Karaoke tape recorder then it was reproduced on MP3.

They did a good job of reproducing my tape but the tape to start with left a lot to be desired.

Hope this may help a little.

Danny

Chris Padgett · Post by **Chris Padgett** » 14 Apr 2008 9:37 am

Thanks Danny.

wow! I really like the sounds you made!
I even got a little "misty" -

Maybe I really will have to keep this thing...

Lavelle Pierce · Post by **Lavelle Pierce** » 15 Apr 2008 3:19 pm

[quote="Chris Padgett"]Thanks Danny.

chris i had one just like you have i sold it to a friend he has it at his music. he has never played it, he mite sell it if someone wants .