Oscar Schmidt 'Stella' c 1928 | HOLD | (v2125) 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 and gold celluloid, 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 in the same dark stain, and is embossed with the 'Stella' brand. The bridge is Brazilian rosewood. 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 7/8". The finger board measures 1 13/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 18" across at the bridge.
The guitar is in excellent overall condition. There were no evident prior repairs but for a strap cord holder attached to the side of the head stock, which we removed, and about two inches of gold trim missing from the back. We recently: reset the neck, glued a few brace tips; disassembled, cleaned and lubed the tuners; removed the original and disintegrating 'ebonized' fingerboard, installed a carbon fiber rod, installed a salvaged OS maple fingerboard, re-installed the original pearlette fingerboard overlay and installed new frets. We installed a new saddle, found a replacement end pin, and four semi-matching bridge pins to complement the remaining two original bone/abalone pins. The finish is original, and shows minor scratches and checking from use and age.
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 13 3/8" across at the lower bout, and the guitar is listed in the catalog as 'Standard size'. Scale length is 24 7/8". The finger board measures 1 13/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 18" across at the bridge.
The guitar is in excellent overall condition. There were no evident prior repairs but for a strap cord holder attached to the side of the head stock, which we removed, and about two inches of gold trim missing from the back. We recently: reset the neck, glued a few brace tips; disassembled, cleaned and lubed the tuners; removed the original and disintegrating 'ebonized' fingerboard, installed a carbon fiber rod, installed a salvaged OS maple fingerboard, re-installed the original pearlette fingerboard overlay and installed new frets. We installed a new saddle, found a replacement end pin, and four semi-matching bridge pins to complement the remaining two original bone/abalone pins. The finish is original, and shows minor scratches and checking from use and age.
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!