1946 Epiphone Alkire E Harp 10 String Lap Steel Valco Made Amp

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Eddie Alkire reportedly spent 12 years developing his E Harp method of 10 string lap steel play, intended for implementation on steels that Rickenbacker and Epiphone built with his design.
  
"At it's core, the Alkire tuning sounds only like itself: it doesn't sound like a 6th, or a 9th, or a 7th tuning. Like a piano, it has no inherent property that defines it's style.

It was designed with key elements: being 'keyless" designed to be played in any key. Note reading built into the system from page one. dramatic explosion on chords and inversions possible on a single straight bar."
Alkire's method is interesting, and his manual (it can be found online) appears daunting.  Thus, players who use his steels most often revert to standard lap steel tunings.   

This particular steel is in fabulously clean and original condition.  The pots date to 1945, so I am calling this a 1946.  These Epiphone made steels were made from 1946 to 1950.  Everything concerning the steel works nicely and it has the coolest look, with that plexi hand rest and the broad, Brazilian rosewood board.

The Valco made Alkire branded amp came in with the steel.  It is from the mid 50s, and likely was paired with an Alkire steel from that decade at one point.  The amp runs and the speakers sound pretty darn good, but there is an underlying, constant 60 cycle hum that does not change in volume when the amp is turned up.  There is one old cap included in the back of the amp that someone must have changed out.  I am not sure if any other service has been done.  The original power cable is in place and the transformers are clearly original.  The amp is definitely sold with the steel as-is.  It can be serviced, I'm certain, but I prefer to work on Fender and some Marshall amps as I'm more comfortable working in a roomier chassis.

Offering the two as a pair at first.  If the set sits I may be coaxed into separating the two.

Lap Steel
Color: Black and White
Weight: 9lbs 1.9oz
Fretboard: Rosewood
Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
Nut: Aluminum
Nut width: 3"
Scale: 22-1/2"
Total length: 32-7/8"
Lower bout: 9-3/4"
Waist: 5-3/4"
Upper bout: 7-3/8"
Body depth/thickness: 1-7/8"
Hardware Color: Nickel
Bridge Pickup: Original Epiphone Master
Bridge Pickup Reading: 
Bridge: Aluminum, Original
Tuners: Original Epsilon E Tuners
Pots: Original
Knobs: Original Bakelite
Case: OHSC
Notes:
Amp
Case/Cover?: No
Color: Tweed and Black
Dimensions: L17-3/4" x H15" x 7-7/8"
Weight: 20lbs 11.8oz
Speaker 1 - 2 Brand: Rola
Speaker 1 - 2 Size: 8" x 6"
Speaker 1 - 2 Code: See Pics
Speaker 1 - 2 Cone: Original
Power Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
Output Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
Extension Speaker Out? No
Reverb or other effects?: No
Rectifier Tube: 5AR4
Rectifier Tube Brand: GE
Power Tubes: 2 x 6Y6
Power Tube Brand: RCA, GE
Preamp Tubes: 2 x 6SC7
Preamp Tube Brand: RCA
Filter Caps: Replaced, original included
Pots: No
Tweed: Original
Grille: Original
Knobs: Original
Handle: Original Bakelite
Power Cord: Original 2 prong
Notes:

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