c.1935 BRONSON HONOLULU DELUXE

The Bronson Music Company was born in 1931 from a disagreement between George Bronson and Harry Stanley, co-founders of the Oahu Publishing Company – one of the countless companies built around the early 20th Century American public’s total enthusiasm for Hawaiian instruments and repertoire – offering both musical training, sheet music, accessories, as well as the guitars to go with it. After their dispute, George Bronson started a new company under his name, and sought to distinguish himself from his former partner by producing ever more elaborate instruments in their decoration and in the materials used (see the Bronson lapsteels produced by National-Dobro, made from blue-grey pearloid plastic…).

The production of Hawaiian and Spanish guitars of the Bronson brand is mainly the work of Regal or Kay, who manufactured guitars at the time for many other brands. The presented instrument was probably produced by Regal, its exceptionally wide body (17 inches!) resembling the proportions of several jumbo models made by the Chicago-based manufacturer, and the fretboard inlays matching those found on many Regal-built guitars for other brands. Originally fitted with a square neck for slide playing, an old modification converted the profile for “Spanish” playing – the guitar now features a raised nut so it can be played as it was designed originally. Unsurprisingly, it offers an extremely rich and deep sound, with seemingly endless sustain. Aesthetically, it is richly furnished with its Brazilian rosewood back and sides, mother-of-pearl inlays on the top binding and around the rosette, and a superb art-deco headstock veneer.

Complete professional setup done in our workshop, sold in a period-correct Geib hardshell case.