Eddie Alkire E-Harp 10-string Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, made by Epiphone, c. 1948, made in N.Y. City, white lacquer top, black back and sides finish, brown fabric covered original hard shell case.
One of the more interesting and unusual instruments ever built by Epiphone, The Eddie Alkire Eharp was the most harmonically advanced single-neck steel available when it was designed around 1940.
Alkire was a well-known Hawaiian guitarist and early pioneer of the ten-string steel who operated a successful teaching studio, and these instruments were primarily sold to his advanced students. Although made by Epiphone, they carry only the "Alkire Eharp" nameplate.
Overall length is 32 3/4 in. (83.2 cm.), 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.).
All original with original hard case. The only alteration to this instrument is someone at some point had added legs (it IS a bit of a load on the lap), and the bottom of the body has sockets installed. Excellent Condition.
