Steel Trappings

Geri's Vintage Steels

1955 Vega Commander

January 2, 2019 • Geronimo "Geri" ValdrizInstruments and Luthiers

Vega was a highly regarded Boston manufacturer of professional quality banjos, guitars, and mandolins.

Because of the popularity of Hawaiian music, a line of electric lap steel guitars was introduced in 1936.

1955 Vega Commander

The Vega Commander model features a solid wood body painted black and highlighted with a cream color. Its cool art deco design includes a Brazilian rosewood fretboard, multi-colored position dots, and inlaid fret markers.

1955 Vega Commander

The single coil "high fidelity" pickup produces a warm vintage sound perfect for that liquid Hawaiian tone.

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Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
June 7, 2025 – 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2025 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 12, 2025 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival Keiki Kine at Kahala Mall
August 16, 2025 (tentative)

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HIMELE is a Hawai‘i non-profit corporation that supports music enrichment and education for people of all ages. Our purpose is to educate, promote, and perpetuate Hawaiian music, Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian musical instruments.