This 1932 Gelas Hawaiian Guitar comes from one of the more fascinating corners of early fretted instrument history. Built in France during a period when Hawaiian music had become an international phenomenon, Gelas instruments stood apart from their American contemporaries through their distinctive construction methods and unmistakable visual character. The natural finish and unusual body design give this guitar an appearance that feels rooted in the experimental spirit of the early twentieth century.
By the 1930s, Hawaiian guitars had found their way into popular music around the world, and European builders were developing their own interpretations of the form. This example carries the patina and signs of use expected from an instrument approaching a century in age, with a repaired top crack among its maintenance history. Condition is fair overall, reflecting years of use and preservation rather than restoration to like-new condition. It remains an intriguing surviving example from a period when lap-style guitar playing was influencing instrument makers far beyond the United States.
Includes very old gig bag.
