~1920 Oscar Schmidt La Scala Koa

Oscar Schmidt La Scala c 1920 Koa | $3250 | (v 2206) Among the copious Oscar Schmidt branded guitars, the La Scala is likely the most rare. The name was used by Schmidt on its guitar strings, and some banjos, but scant few La Scala-branded guitars have surfaced over the years. So even as an exceedingly rare Schmidt offering, this 100% original example exhibits a number of never/rarely seen details to go along with its high-end appointments, giving this guitar an almost 'unicorn' aura.

In this detailed description, we'll highlight the never seen or rarely seen (by VBG, at least) status of various features. The top, sides and back are very high grade, highly figured Hawaiian koa, suggesting that this one was made at the peak of the Hawiaan music boom .. rarely seen. The top, back and sound hole are bound in multiple layers of b/w/b/w purfling, which even extends onto the guitar sides .. never seen. The back center seam is inlaid with multiple b/w/b purfling strips .. rarely seen. The (ladder-braced) top features a 'moustache'-type bridge made from Brazilian rosewood, which is seen infrequently but not rare. What's rare is to retain the original white pins with abalone dots! The neck is a five-wood laminate of high-grade mahogany, ebony (likely) and holly (likely) .. never seen. The head stock is overlaid with Brazilian rosewood and features La Scala inlaid in pearl .. never seen. The head stock, rather than the typical squared-off shape, features an attractive Gibson-esque profile .. never seen. Both the neck and head stock are bound in white celluloid. The heel features the same b/w purfling capped in white celluloid .. rarely seen. The neck is carved in a fairly sharp 'V'. The fingerboard is likely 'ebonized' maple and sports the attractive tree-of-life pearl inlay, both rare and desirable. Overall, this is an exceedingly rare, if not one-of-a-kind, offering from the venerable Schmidt factory.

The body measures 12 1/2" across at the lower bout, which is referred to as 'standard' size in the catalogs. The scale length is 25". The neck measures 1 13/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/4" across at the saddle. Action is set at 6/64".

The guitar came to us in 100% original condition, including its original Geib hard case, a rarity in its own right! There were no old repairs, very clean inside and out. The guitar spent its playing life set up Hawaiian with a nut riser installed, so there is zero fret/fingerboard wear. There are no cracks or finish repairs. We reset the neck to its original saddle. (Public Service Announcement: On a delicate, straight-slotted bridge like this, the neck reset must feature a low saddle to avoid splitting out the front of the bridge, same approach with early Martins etc.) We leveled and dressed the frets, and trimmed the original nut for comfortable playing. We cleaned and lubed the original tuners. The lifting bridge was removed and reglued with hot hide glue. We glued a small piece of the Brazilian head stock overlay that chipped out just behind the nut, and one of the bridge pins is missing its abalone dot. Overall, an eye-popping, super-rare guitar in A++ original condition retaining its original Geib hard case.

With its generous fingerboard dimensions, the guitar plays well, especially for fingerstyle. The small body size and koa box give it a tightly-packed but focused sound, but won't overwhelm in a combo context. Great for fingerpicked blues and ragtime, and tuned open, can easily hold its own as a lap slide guitar.

Comes with its original Geib hard case, also in excellent condition.

Check out the sound clip!