1920 Oscar Schmidt Stella Sovereign Natural, Very Good, Soft, $2,250.00

This beautiful concert-size 'Stella' comes to us via the Mike Seeger estate. Mike was a folk music icon and over many decades created a legacy that is both deep and wide in the traditional music field. Mike collected guitars for their 'sounds', often matching a guitar to the type of music best suited to its sound. He thought highly enough of this guitar to feature it in both his instructional DVD, Early Southern Guitar Styles, and in his CD, Early Southern Guitar Sounds, and used the guitar on the front cover of each production.

Made in Jersey City, New Jersey, in the first quarter of the 20th Century, this guitar is an example of Schmidt's highest grade instrument...note the fancy 'mustache' bridge, the 'Leadbelly' purfling, and the vine fingerboard inlay. Pasted inside the sound hole is a 'Sovereign' label, reserved for the best of the Schmidt line.

The back and sides are a nice grade of mahogany, as is the neck. The top is likely red spruce. The profusely inlaid ebony board is bound in white. The headstock is overlaid in Brazilian rosewood, with the metal Sovereign tag attached with four tacks. The guitar appears all original except for the saddle and end pins.

The scale length is 24 7/8" and the neck measures 1 3/4" across at the nut. The body measures 13 3/8" across the lower bout. The neck profile is a very comfortable 'C' profile. Old repairs include two top cracks, and two back cracks, all glued and cleated. Recently, the neck was reset, the frets leveled and dressed, and the tuners cleaned and lubed. Action is set at 4/64" treble, and 6/64" bass. The guitar is very easy to play and produces a wonderful tone. This is not a hastily assembled 'factory' guitar made from cheap materials. Rather, is a finely crafted instrument made from quality components, suitable for professional and amateur guitarists alike. Comes with an older soft case. (sound clip added)