Greenfield Hawaiian Guitars
Manufacturer LocationEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
BiographyGreenfield Hawaiian Guitars were the creation of the Greenfield brothers of Edmonton, Alberta. They produced numerous Hawaiian-style lap guitars from 1926 to the early 1930s from their cabinetry shop. “Hawaiian” fashion, music and culture became very popular in the 1920s and 30s. Not much is known about the brothers, but they appear to have left Edmonton for Florida during the Depression, and Greenfield Hawaiian Guitars were never produced again - despite the patents acquired for the instruments.
The first Greenfield Hawaiian guitar was a model called the ‘Log’, for its log-like shape. Because of the instrument’s double-wide neck it was difficult to play and a second model, called the ‘Hambone,’ was produced as a result. Both are played on the lap like a steel guitar, but most Greenfield guitars were made of Hawaiian Koa wood. The Hambone was produced in two styles, the second only distinguished from the first by its more intricate ‘purfling’ - decorative, inlaid edging.
The first Greenfield Hawaiian guitar was a model called the ‘Log’, for its log-like shape. Because of the instrument’s double-wide neck it was difficult to play and a second model, called the ‘Hambone,’ was produced as a result. Both are played on the lap like a steel guitar, but most Greenfield guitars were made of Hawaiian Koa wood. The Hambone was produced in two styles, the second only distinguished from the first by its more intricate ‘purfling’ - decorative, inlaid edging.
piano manufacturer | founded 1857
