Epiphone Alkire E Harp 10 String Lap Steel with Valco Made Amp 1946

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Eddie Alkire reportedly spent 12 years developing his E Harp method of 10 string lap steel play, intended for implementation on steels that Rickenbacker and Epiphone built with his design.  

"At it's core, the Alkire tuning sounds only like itself: it doesn't sound like a 6th, or a 9th, or a 7th tuning. Like a piano, it has no inherent property that defines it's style.

It was designed with key elements: being 'keyless" designed to be played in any key. Note reading built into the system from page one. dramatic explosion on chords and inversions possible on a single straight bar."

Alkire's method is interesting, and his manual (it can be found online) appears daunting.  Thus, players who use his steels most often revert to standard lap steel tunings.   

This particular steel is in fabulously clean and original condition.  The pots date to 1945, so I am calling this a 1946.  These Epiphone made steels were made from 1946 to 1950.  Everything concerning the steel works nicely and it has the coolest look, with that plexi hand rest and the broad, Brazilian rosewood board.

The Valco made Alkire branded amp came in with the steel.  It is from the mid 50s, and likely was paired with an Alkire steel from that decade at one point.  The amp runs and the speakers sound pretty darn good, but there is an underlying, constant 60 cycle hum that does not change in volume when the amp is turned up.  There is one old cap included in the back of the amp that someone must have changed out.  I am not sure if any other service has been done.  The original power cable is in place and the transformers are clearly original.  The amp is definitely sold with the steel as-is.  It can be serviced, I'm certain, but I prefer to work on Fender and some Marshall amps as I'm more comfortable working in a roomier chassis.

Offering the two as a pair at first.  If the set sits I may be coaxed into separating the two.

Lap Steel

• Color: Black and White
• Weight: 9lbs 1.9oz
• Fretboard: Rosewood
  
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
  
• Nut: Aluminum
• Nut width: 3"
• Scale: 22-1/2"
• Total length: 32-7/8"
• Lower bout: 9-3/4"
• Waist: 5-3/4"
• Upper bout: 7-3/8"
• Body depth/thickness: 1-7/8"
  
• Hardware Color: Nickel
• Bridge Pickup: Original Epiphone Master
• Bridge Pickup Reading: 
  
• Bridge: Aluminum, Original
• Tuners: Original Epsilon E Tuners
• Pots: Original
• Knobs: Original Bakelite
• Case: OHSC
• Notes:

Amp

• Case/Cover?: No
• Color: Tweed and Black
• Dimensions: L17-3/4" x H15" x 7-7/8"
• Weight: 20lbs 11.8oz
• Speaker 1 - 2 Brand: Rola
• Speaker 1 - 2 Size: 8" x 6"
• Speaker 1 - 2 Code: See Pics
• Speaker 1 - 2 Cone: Original
• Power Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Output Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Extension Speaker Out? No
  
• Reverb or other effects?: No
• Rectifier Tube: 5AR4
• Rectifier Tube Brand: GE
• Power Tubes: 2 x 6Y6
• Power Tube Brand: RCA, GE
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 6SC7
• Preamp Tube Brand: RCA
• Filter Caps: Replaced, original included
• Pots: No
• Tweed: Original
• Grille: Original
• Knobs: Original
• Handle: Original Bakelite
• Power Cord: Original 2 prong
• Notes:

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