NGD - Oahu "Nick Lucas"

[zombywoof]

I have had one of these guitars on my radar for quite a while. And, as they say, good things come to those who wait. A 1931-1935 Oahu Jumbo. The body specs on these were very close to the Gibson Nick Lucas so hence the nickname. Big difference, of course, is the Oahu's long scale. Factory round neck (most of these toted square necks), X braced with a deep maple body. Interesting guitar in that it has the Kay Kraft headstock and board markers. 1 13/16" nut and a shallow C neck profile - a far cry from the Louisville Slugger you would expect to find. Nice clipped plate Grover tuners with the hour glass posts. Not a cheap guitar in its day as these cost about as much as a Martin D-28.

These are incredibly big sounding guitars with a touch of brashness. Loud enough the scare the Hellhound off your trail. Nothing tame or polite about them.

[vintageparlors]

Wonderful find. Enjoy.

[oliverkollar]

Great instrument……I've played 2.

One was converted, maple, the other Brazilian…….biggest shock, the maple one was the better sounding, to me, of the two.

One of the best guitars I've ever played!

Congrats!

[yairimann]

You always seem to be able to find these old gems. Sounds like a great guitar,congradulations

[Toby Walker]

Real nice score there Zomby!!! I've never played one and would be curious as to how it sounds and feels.

Any chance of adding a sound file or video?

[dirkronk]

Originally Posted by Toby Walker

Any chance of adding a sound file or video?

+1.

Take pity on those of us who can't unearth such amazing finds, Zomby!

Congrats...and enjoy.

Dirk

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by Toby Walker

Real nice score there Zomby!!! I've never played one and would be curious as to how it sounds and feels.

Any chance of adding a sound file or video?

At the moment sound files are not in the forecast. I do not have the digital savy needed. I still make coffee in a percolator and keep a Roberts reel to reel on hand. As I have never been able to describe sound, I am starting to think it might be time to buy one of those portable digital recoprders.

The nut width and generous string spread though make this guitar pretty close to darn perfect for me. While we are only talking a fraction of inch my 1946 LG-2 is feeling a bit cramped these days.

[bigsnaketex]

there is something magical about the shape of these Nick Lucas type guitars. They are incredibly loud and I also find that maple seems to be the best wood suited for that shape for some reason.

Great find, man - enjoy!!

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by dirkronk

+1.

Take pity on those of us who can't unearth such amazing finds, Zomby!

Congrats...and enjoy.

Dirk

I have been playing these types of guitars for so long now it has gotten to the point where the folks at my favorite little music shop refer to them as "Woof Guitars" when they get one in.

[Jim Owen]

Hi Z,
You scored. I've seen only a couple of these in my life: that Kaykraft headstock is an oddity for an Oahu. Classy!

[T Texas]

Wow, best NGD I've seen. That is so cool.

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by Jim Owen

Hi Z,
You scored. I've seen only a couple of these in my life: that Kaykraft headstock is an oddity for an Oahu. Classy!

On the other hand, I own a 1934-1935 Kay Kraft with the Oahu headstock. Go Figure.

[Joe McNamara]

If it sounds half as good as it looks you're waaay ahead.

The "melting" headstock shape is too much. Who'da thunk somebody designed that in '33 without Dr. Hoffman's 1943 discovery?

All reetee, all rightee, that's the Zomby troof!

[grim83]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

At the moment sound files are not in the forecast. I do not have the digital savy needed. I still make coffee in a percolator and keep a Roberts reel to reel on hand. As I have never been able to describe sound, I am starting to think it might be time to buy one of those portable digital recoprders.

The nut width and generous string spread though make this guitar pretty close to darn perfect for me. While we are only talking a fraction of inch my 1946 LG-2 is feeling a bit cramped these days.

Shoot all you need is an omni Mic and a di box to plug into your computer. That's all my recording set up is lol the di has a usb plug and the Mic we made using a ball jar lid for the casing looks pretty cool.

[WordMan]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

On the other hand, I own a 1934-1935 Kay Kraft with the Oahu headstock. Go Figure.

Ooo - lovin' this one, too!