Oscar Schmidt First Hawaiian Conservatory of Music c 1925 | HOLD | (v2152) As we reported in a number of previous listings for these guitars, the First Hawaiian Conservatory of Music was a mail order study course with a mailing address in the Woolworth Building on Broadway, NYC. The Schmidt-owned business advertised heavily in periodicals of the day such as Popular Mechanics, with the hook "Free genuine Hawaiian Guitar". A student enrolled for a years worth of lessons for $30, and at the end of the term they could keep the guitar. The campaigne must have been successful because a good number of FHC guitars have surfaced over the years, and are quite popular for the 'country blues' tone.
The FHC promotion appears to span the entire 1920s, with construction and appointments on the guitars remaining fairly consistent. Although some were offered in Hawaiian koa, most are solid birch construction, concert size, and stained an reddish tone. There is some variation in color .. some in a bright orange-red, some in a more somber burgundy .. and in bridge type, which could be pyramid, retangular, or 'mustache'. The 'mustache' bridge is seen in a variety of Schmidt offerings, and is likely a nod to the influence of the Italian labor force who made the guitars in the Jersey City factory.
Although this example is constructed with the oft-seen slab birch, it differs in that the birch on the top is 'curley' birch, a growth configuration resulting in a ripple effect of the finished wood, and usually commands a premium in the wood market. This example also sports a more red-orange tone to the stain, giving it a rather attractive look. The fingerboard is the typical painted maple, and the neck poplar. The bridge is maple, painted black, and, if not the original, surely conforms to the specs of a '20 OS pyramid bridge.
We completed the following work in our shop: neck reset; back removed and all braces reglued and cracks glued and cleated; bridge reglued and original slot filled and re-routed for better intonation, and two screw holed filled; center part of headstock had a small split (not through) which was glued; frets leveled and dressed; tuners disassembled, cleaned and lubed; a set of period correct bridge pins were turned and installed. The components are all stable and mostly original but for pins and possibly bridge. The guitar shows nicks and dings from use and age.
These guitars never disappoint .. set up properly they play easily and produce the blues tone of the 20s and 30s 78 rpm records.
Comes with a period hard case.
The FHC promotion appears to span the entire 1920s, with construction and appointments on the guitars remaining fairly consistent. Although some were offered in Hawaiian koa, most are solid birch construction, concert size, and stained an reddish tone. There is some variation in color .. some in a bright orange-red, some in a more somber burgundy .. and in bridge type, which could be pyramid, retangular, or 'mustache'. The 'mustache' bridge is seen in a variety of Schmidt offerings, and is likely a nod to the influence of the Italian labor force who made the guitars in the Jersey City factory.
Although this example is constructed with the oft-seen slab birch, it differs in that the birch on the top is 'curley' birch, a growth configuration resulting in a ripple effect of the finished wood, and usually commands a premium in the wood market. This example also sports a more red-orange tone to the stain, giving it a rather attractive look. The fingerboard is the typical painted maple, and the neck poplar. The bridge is maple, painted black, and, if not the original, surely conforms to the specs of a '20 OS pyramid bridge.
We completed the following work in our shop: neck reset; back removed and all braces reglued and cracks glued and cleated; bridge reglued and original slot filled and re-routed for better intonation, and two screw holed filled; center part of headstock had a small split (not through) which was glued; frets leveled and dressed; tuners disassembled, cleaned and lubed; a set of period correct bridge pins were turned and installed. The components are all stable and mostly original but for pins and possibly bridge. The guitar shows nicks and dings from use and age.
These guitars never disappoint .. set up properly they play easily and produce the blues tone of the 20s and 30s 78 rpm records.
Comes with a period hard case.