Plectrophonic Orchestra

In 1941, Letritia Kandle (1915 - 2010), former member of the Kohala Girls, became the featured soloist of the 50-piece ‘Chicago Plectrophonic Orchestra,’ which featured Letritia playing classical numbers such as “Blue Danube Waltz” as well as other pop and Hawaiian numbers.  When her mentor, conductor Jack Lundin, passed away in 1943, Letritia took over as conductor of the Orchestra.

Letritia Kandle, a serious Hawaiian guitar player, pioneered the electrified slide guitar in the 1930's.
She asked her father to buy a harp guitar and help her to convert it to a Hawaiian raised-nut instrument with a standard neck and a 12-string neck capable of different tunings. Then she had a vision for a brand new electrified instrument with 24 strings: the "Grand Letar". This instrument demonstrated in 1937 in trade conventions was able to generate lights' effects.

Letritia played different radio programs as NBC.

 And in 1937, she build a more portable  instrument, the "Small Letar".

 More informations on Vintage Guitar Magazine (nov. 2012) and Muleskinner blog.

& still looking for recordings of this artist and her instrument, as well of the Chicago Plectrophonic Orchestra!