Oscar Schmidt 'Stella' c 1928 | SOLD | (v2151) This is one of the more attractive of the Stella guitars produced at the Jersey City Schmidt factory. It's listed in the 1932 catalog as a 'Sovereign' (top of the line for OS) even though the head stock in the catalog image clearly says 'Stella'. Interestingly, at a list price of $20, this model is the third-most expensive guitar offered, the koa model being the most expensive listed at $35.
The body is solid birch, trimmed in white celluloid and gold 'sparkle', which is very striking next to the dark "Hand rubbed and hand polished piano finish." The neck is poplar, carved in more of a 'C' than 'V' shape, with a maple fingerboard capped in white 'pearlette' with stamped position markers. The head stock is finished with the same MOTS pearloid, and is embossed with the 'Stella' brand. The heel cap shares the pearloid touch, too. The bridge is Brazilian rosewood and retains its original pearl-tipped bridge pins. The top is ladder braced.
The body is 13 3/8" across at the lower bout, and the guitar is listed in the catalog as 'Standard size'. Scale length is 24 3/4". The finger board measures 1 13/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/4" across at the bridge.
The guitar is in excellent overall condition. There are no prior repairs evident. We recently: reset the neck; glued several braces; glued some loose binding; cleated a small crack by the bass fingerboard extension; installed two braces east and west of the sound hole; leveled and dressed the frets; crafted a new nut and saddle; cleaned and lubed the tuners. Finish is original with a few nicks and dings from age and use, but overall a real 'looker'! Action is set at ~ 6 & 7/64" and the guitar plays well both fingerstyle and with slide.
The guitar is very solid, a nice original example and with its short scale and comfortable neck plays really well. We like the sound of the birch-bodied Stellas for their focused sound, very strong midrange, clear trebles and full bass .. the sound from the old 78 rpm records.
Comes with a new hard case.
Check out the sound clip!
The body is solid birch, trimmed in white celluloid and gold 'sparkle', which is very striking next to the dark "Hand rubbed and hand polished piano finish." The neck is poplar, carved in more of a 'C' than 'V' shape, with a maple fingerboard capped in white 'pearlette' with stamped position markers. The head stock is finished with the same MOTS pearloid, and is embossed with the 'Stella' brand. The heel cap shares the pearloid touch, too. The bridge is Brazilian rosewood and retains its original pearl-tipped bridge pins. The top is ladder braced.
The body is 13 3/8" across at the lower bout, and the guitar is listed in the catalog as 'Standard size'. Scale length is 24 3/4". The finger board measures 1 13/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/4" across at the bridge.
The guitar is in excellent overall condition. There are no prior repairs evident. We recently: reset the neck; glued several braces; glued some loose binding; cleated a small crack by the bass fingerboard extension; installed two braces east and west of the sound hole; leveled and dressed the frets; crafted a new nut and saddle; cleaned and lubed the tuners. Finish is original with a few nicks and dings from age and use, but overall a real 'looker'! Action is set at ~ 6 & 7/64" and the guitar plays well both fingerstyle and with slide.
The guitar is very solid, a nice original example and with its short scale and comfortable neck plays really well. We like the sound of the birch-bodied Stellas for their focused sound, very strong midrange, clear trebles and full bass .. the sound from the old 78 rpm records.
Comes with a new hard case.
Check out the sound clip!