Hawaiian Tremoloa With Case
The Hawaiian Tremoloa was called
by its makers "The Original Hawaiian Instrument".
This instrument was marketed
by "Manufacturers Advertising Company"
which was located at 93 Ferry
Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
To my knowledge, this is an Oscar Schmidt product as this company used several names in marketing their products.
These unique instruments were made in the early to mid part of the 20th century. They sold new from $30.00 in the late 1920's to $45.00 in the 50's.
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Original Factory Guaranty
They were never considered popular,
but there were thousands sold through the years.
This instrument is not being
produced today.
There is no established current market value today. They sell for as little as $5.00 at a yard sale to as up to $100.00 or more at an antique store.
It sports a very unique and interesting design. It is played by strumming chords with your left hand while playing the melody string with the right hand.
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Original Price/Model Sticker Inside Sound hole
It has 4 groups of 4 strings,
each group is a chord. The Tremoloa has the chords of C, G, F and D.
This allows you to play in the
key of G or C, as long as simple 3 chord songs are performed.
The melody is played on a single string. The Tremoloa is very interesting mainly because it's melody string is played with a finger pick that is attached to a piece of spring steel. The spring steel is attached to a roller, which rolls on the melody string.
The roller is attached to a long
arm which is equipped with a spring and pivot point.
Complicated isn't it?
You simply "play by numbers" using your pick to pluck the melody string on the desired number. The roller will be at the exact place on the string to produce the correct note.
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Original Factory Photos
I play a Hawaiian Tremoloa professionally,
and it is a crowd favorite when I bring it on stage for a few songs. I
plan on continuing to master this instrument.
Scroll down for information
on the new Tremoloa music album and the Tremoloa teaching method.
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Learn to play a Tremoloa!
Great new booklet by Jim Calhoun
This is the most comprehensive
booklet ever written for the Hawaiian Tremoloa!
This booklet includes information
on playing, tuning and care of your Tremoloa.
There are many great songs included
in this booklet!
Only $19.95
(Plus $3.85 postage inside the
U.S.A.)
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Presents:
Tremoloa!
A 12 song instrumental album that is professionally recorded entirely with vintage instruments, featuring the Tremoloa! Eight of the songs are new, original compositions written by Jim Calhoun, the author of this site! The other four are old time favorites!
Click On Links To Download Song Samples