Description

Meet 'Scarface', originating in the Oscar Schmidt factory in Jersey City NJ somewhere around 1930, during the 'Decalcomania' craze. The size was called Grand Concert in the catalogs, but are referred to as 'The BBQ Bob' model by many today, taken from the original bluesman BBQ Bob, who played this type instrument.

The guitar remarkably retains its original components, including tail piece, bridge and tuners. The decal above the bridge remains, but only the ghost of the sound hole ring remains. The backstrip decal is intact.

The top is spruce, and the back and sides are birch. The neck is mahogany with a painted maple finger board. The fragment of an original label remains, showing a mariners star graphic, and three letters from a jobbers name, unknown to us.

The lower bout measures 14 3/4" across. Scale length is 26 5/16" (long scale) and measures 2" across at the nut.

Tuners and tailpiece are original, and show some oxidation. The Brazilian rosewood bridge is original, as are the frets and the finish.

Scarface lived a rough and tumble life, arriving here with some 'needs'. We sent it off to repairman/luthier Mike Hauver, since he builds new reissues of these, and has repaired many of them. The back was removed, a missing piece in-filled on the upper bass bout, and all cracks and braces were glued. The cracks include several on the sides, one on the back, one on the top, plus the 'scar'. All are cleated and tight. A bolt was removed from the heel, and the neck was reset.

The guitar is in optimum, original condition, plays easily with low action. The tone is the classic Stella 12 sound, with strong mid-range, good bass growl and just enough jangle to remind you you're playing a 12-string icon.

This guitar is attractively priced for the player who's ever had the itch for a Stella 12 and with its sound, legacy and persona is great value in the market today. Comes with a hard shell case. Check out the sound clip, and visit our website for more images.

Vintage Blues Guitars

Vintage Blues Guitars

~1930
Oscar Schmidt
Very Good
Natural
Hard
17 Years
Vintage Blues Guitars
Tom Wentzel and Bruce Roth
717.917.3738
Lancaster, PA
10:40 PM
phone calls accepted 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. eastern time .. text or email anytime

Cash, checks, PayPal, money orders or bank wire. We don't accept credit cards at this point.

We ship usually within a day of payment. International customers, we are not CITES certified. Any guitar with CITES-protected materials (Brazilian rosewood, ivory et al) shipped outside the US will be shipped at the risk of the buyer.

Forty-eight hour test drive on all instruments..if not to your liking, return for refund minus shipping costs.