1935 Oahu Guitar
This Oahu-branded "parlor" guitar (this is just a hair smaller than a Martin 0) is in many ways a clone of a similar model Regal also made for Slingerland to sell under their "May-Bell" brand name. This Oahu-branded one is a little fancier, though, but still has the "tobacco burst" finish on a solid-birch body that the Maybells tend to have. In addition it has a celluloid-bound top and soundhole and "brown-burst" pearloid on the headstock and fretboard surface. It's very Depression-style, for sure!
These Regal-made 12 fretters tend to have what's called "transverse bracing" which is really a modification of ladder-type bracing but where the main (between bridge and soundhole) brace is set at an angle. This stiffens the top with less bracing but also opens up the tone a bit more giving this a sound somewhere between a ladder-braced guitar and an x-braced guitar. This means added sustain and harmonic sweetness.
These Regal-made 12 fretters tend to have what's called "transverse bracing" which is really a modification of ladder-type bracing but where the main (between bridge and soundhole) brace is set at an angle. This stiffens the top with less bracing but also opens up the tone a bit more giving this a sound somewhere between a ladder-braced guitar and an x-braced guitar. This means added sustain and harmonic sweetness.
There's a new (rosewood) bridge and bone saddle, replacement bridge pins, general cleaning, a fret level and dress (this had a hair of relief to the neck which was technically removed by leveling the frets), and full setup. It plays really nice (spot on) and the instrument itself is very clean with no cracks.
The Oahu script on the headstock is very cool. This has its original rosewood nut, but since this was intended as a Hawaiian (lap instrument, played with raised strings and a stee/slide) guitar, it was cut very high to begin with. It was cut down and then slotted it correctly.
The frets are brass and, after leveling and dressing, feel great. The first position frets are a bit lower than the others due to the leveling but they have plenty of life left. The dots are inlaid celluloid.
The original bridge was missing this was installed (very close to the original style) rosewood bridge instead. The original would have been black-stained maple or birch with a fret saddle and non-compensated. This one, with its new bone saddle and compensation, is a huge improvement. The bridge pins are creamy-white which match the trim just right.
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