Oscar Schmidt 'Stella' Gambler DeLuxe c 1930 | HOLD | The 'Gambler' is a nickname applied to these guitars by vintage guitar enthusiasts, although it may be an apt nomenclature since by the early 1930s, in the throes of the Great Depression, the venerable Schmidt factory was 'gambling' on keeping sales up by offering glitzy, if not more cheaply made, 'decalcomania' guitars. The Schmidt catalog in 1932 listed it simply as model 5024-P. Over its production run of likely less than ten years, there were a variety of Gambler iterations. This version is the peak of its development, and is usually called the Gambler DeLuxe for its celluloid (mother of toilet seat) fingerboard and head stock covering.
The body is made from birch, painted in 'black satin finish', with applied playing card and gold filigree decals, bound in white celluloid. The top is ladder braced. The neck is poplar, with the attractive 'pearlette' fingerboard (white celluloid overlay, affectionately called mother of toilet seat or MOTS) with engraved black position markers. The pyramid bridge is Brazilian rosewood, not always found on Gamblers, so this is a nice touch. The tuners appear original to the guitar as well.
This is listed as a 'standard size' guitar in the Schmidt catalog. The body measures 13 5/8" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 24 13/16" (short scale). The fingerboard measures 1 13/16" wide at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/4" at the saddle. The neck is carved in a soft 'V', and comfortable in the hand.
Non-original components on the guitar are the bridge pins (period replacements), heel cap, nut and saddle; the original nut is in the case. We made a new one since the original spread the two E strings too close to the edge of the board for comfort. Older repairs include a number of braces re-glued, and a few back cracks glued. It appears that the back was removed for these repairs. The neck was recently reset, the frets dressed, and the tuners cleaned and lubed. The finish is pretty much intact, with typical nicks and dings and play wear on the back of the neck.
Action is set at 5 & 6/64", and the guitar plays easily. It produces the typical ladder-braced, birch body punchy tone, with plenty of volume and sustain. Great blues box, and vintage guitars don't get much cooler than the Gambler!
Comes with what could be its original Geib soft case.
The body is made from birch, painted in 'black satin finish', with applied playing card and gold filigree decals, bound in white celluloid. The top is ladder braced. The neck is poplar, with the attractive 'pearlette' fingerboard (white celluloid overlay, affectionately called mother of toilet seat or MOTS) with engraved black position markers. The pyramid bridge is Brazilian rosewood, not always found on Gamblers, so this is a nice touch. The tuners appear original to the guitar as well.
This is listed as a 'standard size' guitar in the Schmidt catalog. The body measures 13 5/8" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 24 13/16" (short scale). The fingerboard measures 1 13/16" wide at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/4" at the saddle. The neck is carved in a soft 'V', and comfortable in the hand.
Non-original components on the guitar are the bridge pins (period replacements), heel cap, nut and saddle; the original nut is in the case. We made a new one since the original spread the two E strings too close to the edge of the board for comfort. Older repairs include a number of braces re-glued, and a few back cracks glued. It appears that the back was removed for these repairs. The neck was recently reset, the frets dressed, and the tuners cleaned and lubed. The finish is pretty much intact, with typical nicks and dings and play wear on the back of the neck.
Action is set at 5 & 6/64", and the guitar plays easily. It produces the typical ladder-braced, birch body punchy tone, with plenty of volume and sustain. Great blues box, and vintage guitars don't get much cooler than the Gambler!
Comes with what could be its original Geib soft case.