~1920 Sammos Koa Natural

SammoS Koa Guitar c 1920 | $2250 | (v2144) There's a lot to like about this rare and beautiful SammoS concert-size guitar. And frankly, we at VBG had never heard of the SammoS brand until we acquired this example. But fortunately, Charles Johnson on his Leaving This World blog had posted the research he'd conducted on SammoS and its history. The SammoS (and SammO) guitars and other stringed instruments were manufactured by The Samuel C. Osborn Mfg. Co. in Chicago (Get it .. SAMuel OSborn ..?). It was a short-lived business, lasting only about six years. As was so often the case in those days, Osborn began The Osborn Consavatory of Music to market music lessons and provide an instrument on which to play. Osborn became dissatisfied with the quality of instruments provided him, so in 1916 he decided to manufacture his own quality instruments. Because the Hawaiian music craze was in full swing at this time, it appears Osborn chose to specialize in instruments made from exotic Hawaiian koa. Unfortunately, Osborn died unexpectedly in 1922 and his company folded and was sold off at auction in 1923. But luckily for vintage guitar lovers Osborn's motto was "..quality before price" allowing for a scant few of his beautifully made koa guitars to survive today.

We can date this guitar to 1920-22 since it appears that the SammoS label came into use in '20, and the company folded by '22. Sammos guitars are among the earliest of koa guitars and, as evidenced by the wood used on this example, a beautiful grade of Hawaiian koa was a company priority . The back, top and sides are all solid koa. Both top and back are bound in multiple plys of b/w/b celluloid, extending even around to the sides. The sound hole, too, sports multiple purfling rings and a black celluloid sound hole trim piece (white is commonly seen). The soft 'V'-carved neck is mahogany and it, too, is bound in multiple b/w/b layers which extend up around the head stock and around to the side. The headstock appears to have a koa veneer, and sports the SammoS logo, continuing the black/white motif. The fingerboard is ebony and sports four pearl position dots and very small side markers on both sides of the fret board, a very unusual and subtle touch. The white celluloid end pin is also set into an inlay which echos the black/white motif. The tuners appear original and are decorated with a cross hatch design. The six white celluloid bridge pins appear original, as does the bone nut. The bridge is a very delicate appearing pyramid type which appears original to the guitar. Here's the kicker, although it looks like ebony, on closer inspection it appears to be made from mold-injected celluloid! That technology had been around since the late 1800s, and manufacturers in various industries were looking practical applications. Had Osborn lived longer, perhaps he would have contributed further to the development of functional 'plastic' bridges (ahem ... Gibson)!

The body measures 13 1/4" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 24 1/2". The fingerboard measures a hair under 1 3/4" at the nut, and string spacing is 2 3/16" across at the saddle.

Older repairs include a neck reset; a long side crack repair on the treble side, its entire length cleated. We recently leveled and dressed the frets. The guitar is a rare survivor and almost 100% original (newer saddle?). The finish shows some checking from age, and various nicks and dings from age and use, but overall quite solid and very attractive.

The guitar plays quite well, is very light in weight and produces a nice open sound with lots of mid range punch. Attractive, historic, original, great playing and sounding .. all the reasons we're fans of the SammoS brand!

Comes with a new hard case.