Sol Hoopii's National Tricone ????

[Michael Messer]

Lot number 23296 claims to be one of the guitars given to Sol Hoopii by the National Musical Instrument Company in the late 1920's. How this provenance can be proved would be of great interest to me and other National Guitar researchers around the world. I know there is a thread on IGS about this too. Interestingly, the blurb about the instrument talks about how the National guitar company, now based in San Luis Obispo, California, first started making guitars in the 1920's. That is the point that I was making in another thread about the two companies - National Musical Instruments and National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

1929 National - Style One - Tricone Model - Hawaiian Guitar Serial #1854. This vintage acoustic guitar, in fine, original condition, is quite a desirable collectible musical instrument on its own merit, but the mystery of ownership that surrounds it makes this guitar even more interesting. National Guitar Company, now located in San Luis Obispo, California, began manufacturing these metal acoustic guitars in 1927. The first great artist who endorsed these instruments Sol Ho' Opi' I (pronounced Who-Oo-Pee-Pee), who is regarded by guitar aficionados around the world as "King of the Steel Guitar," because he invented the multiple tunings that are popular today and was the first and greatest artist in this style. Sol was given three National Guitars to use and endorse. He was an international star, and from 1925-1927, the Hawaiian rage in Hollywood earned Sol movie credits performing with such stars as Mary Pickford, Dick Powell, and Ruby Keeler. Sol was married twice; his first wife was named Georgia Stiffler. Georgia an avid devotee of Aimee Semple McPherson, the famous evangelist. Through Georgia, Sol joined McPherson's religious cause. This guitar has "Georgia" engraved on it, and it is purported to have been one of the three endorsement instruments given to Sol by National Guitar. If so, it would be a "Holy Grail" for the guitar collector. At the least, it is a rare and desirable instrument in pristine condition that would be a valued addition to any musician's arsenal, plus, its mysterious history would certainly provide an entire evening's conversation and speculation.

[Alan]

Didnt they want a million dollars for it, or was that just there as a guide price?

[Richard]

Can it be the real thing?

And, don't forget to add the mere 24.5% buyers commission!

[Bill Stig]

I was just scanning the forum while having a coffee and a fag when I came across this old thread. Does anyone know what happened to the "Sol Hoopii" national? Was it sold or was it verified as belonging to Sol? As far as I know nobody knows the location of any of his guitars. While I'm on the subject, what happened to the "Robert Johnson" guitar that was up for sale a few months ago?

Bill

[mark makin]

Hello Bill
You're not the first to wonder where it is. Join the queue.
It hasn't appeared yet - it was rumoured by some people to belong to the Tutmarc family (Bud Tutmarc being Sols guitar duet partner) but this has never been confirmed. Bob Brozman has a long standing request out for information as to its whereabouts. So far no luck -
it will certainly be obvious what it is if ever it does turn up - I don't think you could engrave the name larger on it if you tried to!

As far as I know, even the other early triplates associated with Sols early Trio have never turned up. One of them is particularly desirable - it is a round neck triplate which is the only known example featuring the extra seven diamond holes around the edge that are peculiar to the earliest of these instruments.
Keep searching those attics!!!

[Bill Stig]

Thanks Mark, I was just wondering when to put the house up for sale. They must be somewhere - we all know old nationals never die.
cheers,
Bill

[Jesse NEWSOM]

mark said:

Hello Bill
You're not the first to wonder where it is. Join the queue.
It hasn't appeared yet - it was rumoured by some people to belong to the Tutmarc family (Bud Tutmarc being Sols guitar duet partner) but this has never been confirmed. Bob Brozman has a long standing request out for information as to its whereabouts. So far no luck -
it will certainly be obvious what it is if ever it does turn up - I don't think you could engrave the name larger on it if you tried to!

As far as I know, even the other early triplates associated with Sols early Trio have never turned up. One of them is particularly desirable - it is a round neck triplate which is the only known example featuring the extra seven diamond holes around the edge that are peculiar to the earliest of these instruments.
Keep searching those attics!!!

[Deleted]

all I can say it is most likely with his Daughter .I'm not sure of the spelling.I think they must of named her after the song. sweet elonie. there only child must of got it. I don't think georgia left a will. so it may be up to the court. georgia lived in Carpenteria Calif. that's where her foursquare church was

[Michael Messer]

Hello Jesse,

Welcome to our forum.

I am intrigued by your message. Have you ever seen a movie called 'Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World' ....well it is a comedy about a race to find buried treasure. I have a sneeking suspicion that numerous National guitar & Hawaiian Music collectors will have read your message and be racing to Carpenteria California by any means they can!

I may be absent from the forum for a few days

Shine On,
Michael

[Bill Stig]

While cleaning out my attic recently I came across Bob Kaai's tricone and Bob Holstein's harp guitar. Here's me and my playing partner Ged with photographic evidence:



I'm off to the celler now to see if Sam Ku West's tricone's down there

Bill

[kahunamoon]

I've been a lurker for quite awhile here but I'm so intrigued by this post on the Steel Guitar Forum that I had to finally register. Could this be the missing "Georgia" guitar?
bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=262870

[Deleted]

[wolvoboy]

just found it in my attic
wolvoboy

[Michael Messer]

.....hmmmmm, It is interesting that after seven years this thread has surfaced again.

Only two weeks ago on the 10th March I was in email contact with the owner of the 'Georgia' Tricone who is still trying to sell it as a guitar that 'might' have been owned by Sol Hoopii.

The seller, Bob Schrum, has no knowledge of this subject and I believe bought the guitar thinking he had found a way of making a fortune. He contacted me offering it for sale and we had an email exchange.

The whole story around this guitar is based on hearsay and rumour, there are NO facts; The 'Georgia' Tricone is believed by the owner, Bob Schrum, to be Sol's because Sol was married to a lady called Georgia. A Tricone has turned up with Georgia engraved on the handrest and typical of situations where people are clutching at straws because THE Sol Hoopii Tricone has never been found, have put two and two together and come up with five!

There is no proof whatsoever, there is no documentation and there are no records of this guitar being made for Sol Hoopii. We do know of two Tricones that were made for Sol and neither of them had 'Georgia' engraved on them. While it could be a guitar that Sol Hoopii owned, without any provenance it is just another average condition National Tricone from May 1930. There are no photos and no documentation, so there is no proof.

I have seen many Nationals with names engraved on the handrest, usually a girl's name. I have a feeling that National offered this as a little personal customising when you bought your guitar! I have also seen literally dozens of National guitars over the years that people believe to be of historical importance and to my knowledge, none of them were what they believed them to be.

Here is the email thread between Bob Schrum and me from earlier this month...

Dear Bob,

I have just received an email about a guitar that may have belonged to Sol Hoopii.

Serial number 1854 makes it a May 1930 instrument.

Could you send me some photos please? I am happy to help and advise you about it, but I need to see some good photos.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Michael.

Thanks for the response. I can send photos tomorrow. I would consider selling or auctioning the guitar if the price is right.
Bob

Hi Bob,

Thank you for the photos.

Do you have anything that proves it was Sol's guitar, or just the hearsay info from the Heritage museum?

Best wishes,
Michael

No. I keep looking for photos of him with it but quality photos are hard to find. It does have Georgia engraved on it. I am still checking for more information and a way to tie it to Sol Hoopii.
Bob

Hi Bob,

Without some real provenance it is not possible to confirm that 1854 did belong to Sol Hoopii. I have never seen a photo of him with it, or any documentation from National that mentions this guitar. I know of two Tricones that did belong to Sol Hoopii, but neither of them have ever turned up. In my opinion, unless there is some real provenance to prove it was Sol's guitar, a 1930 square neck Tricone with 'Georgia' engraved on the handrest, is just not enough to go on.

Best wishes,
Michael



I know that in Mark Makin's book this guitar is listed as being 'possibly owned by Sol Hoopii', but that information all stems from the original auction in 2004 and some information that came from the Heritage museum.

If anyone can ever PROVE that it was Sol Hoopii's guitar it would be worth more than an average 1930 Tricone, but until then it is just another National built in 1930 with a lady's name engraved on the handrest.

Here are some photos....









Shine On
Michael

[Michael Messer]

....In addition to my post: I told Bob Schrum on the 10th March that his guitar was made in May 1930, and yet on the 22nd March he is still claiming that it was made in 1929! He has no idea about this subject and will not listen to the experts. I guess someday another 'believer' will come along and buy it.

Shine On
Michael