Canopus ??

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 11 Sep 2000 9:35 am

Howdy, I am a long time student of Jerry Byrd and play slant bar on my short scale JB Frypan (Excel). I have a Rick Bakelite, Rick Silver, Fender Dual Professional among others but always play the Frypan at gigs. I have seen ads for the Canopus and was wondering if anyone has an opinion on this steel??

Ron · Post by **Ron** » 11 Sep 2000 11:52 am

Sorry I dont know about this This the only thing I dont know hahahahaha

RON FRAZIER

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 11 Sep 2000 12:09 pm

I saw one in Honolulu about 10 years ago, being played by Barney Isaacs. It looked, to me, like a Fender knock-off and I was not all that impressed with it. But that was a first impression only. Quite a few of the Hawaiians seem to dig them. They are a product of Japan, I believe.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Homesite

Al Braun · Post by **Al Braun** » 11 Sep 2000 2:13 pm

I'm not familiar with the guitar, but on the front page of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Ass'n Quarterly, Summer 2000, is the master him JB self playing what appears to be a Canopus 8-Single. Maybe he could give you an opinion.

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 12 Sep 2000 11:23 pm

Heard Alan Akaka play one in Honolulu in April. He said it was new. The sound was wonderful. Made in Japan. Check the
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Assoc. for Alan's email.

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"We can't afford to let Nature Run Wild" - govt. offical - Alaska

John Tipka · Post by **John Tipka** » 13 Sep 2000 5:02 am

For what its worth, the Canopus Guitars are made by Yasu Kamiya, who worked for ShoBud in Nashville for many years before their demise, and then went back to Japan to form Canopus. His wife is Mariko Seki, a very accomplished steel guitar player in her own right, who has been featured in Jerry Byrd's and Alan Akaka's Ho`olaule`as for a number of years. Alan plays a Canopus as does Greg Sardinha, Charlie Fukuba, etc.

John

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 16 Sep 2000 7:34 pm

Yes indeed, the Canopus is being widely accepted by the Hawaiians in Hawai'i and are definitely a Japanese product as indicated above. I think they are excellent guitars. If they weren't, the Hawaiians would drop them like a dish of bad poi. Canopus, if I am not wrong, makes a terrific copy of the old Gibson (lap) steel guitars, (along the EH-150 design), complete with all the trimmings, sunburst finish and in 8 string models. Alan has often played one of these in public appearances. Beautiful guitar !